It's my Blogaversary!

It's official folks.  The Homeschooled Housewife began just over one year ago this month.

I simply can't believe how far that I've personally grown in the last year.  Documenting and sharing your life and your family's life can be difficult at times.  Wondering if anyone feels the same way or is going through the struggles and joys that I am going through.  Putting your marriage out there.  Exposing your child.  I have to be honest and say, that yes- at times it does weigh heavily on me.  Am I making the right choice?

But then sometimes I look back, I scroll through my old blog posts or Facebook posts and I know.  Yes, I'm doing the right thing.  What I'm sharing with you all is real.  It's my story but it's also your story.  And I read through some of the private messages I've received- where fans of The Homeschooled Housewife have expressed their thanks and appreciation and it encourages me to continue on. 

We are all on this journey together- Motherhood, Marriage and Homeschooling and I'm so thankful that I can give it a voice.  I have truly enjoyed writing and opening up my life.  I feel like I've found a community of people who finally, FINALLY understands.  And can I just say- that's really an amazing feeling!

This last year has seen some pretty varied topics.  I've discussed what it means for me to be a great wife, I've asked you all questions on parenting, I've shared recipes, talked about our current education system, shared our family's conversations, encouraged you to make better food choices, discussed our personal homeschooling methods, heck- I've even shown you all photos of my closet!!  Seriously- there's been a LOT going on here!  And I'm super excited to see what this next year will bring.

But now I just want to say Thank You.  To You.  My readers and fans.  We are all building a pretty awesome community of supportive Wives, understanding Mothers and encouraging Homeschoolers.  And that is the real reason I'm here- YOU.

Thank You!

To Infinity and Beyond.

The Homeschooled Housewife

Gearing Up for Summer

If you homeschool year round like we do, summer time can be a bit tricky.  There are a ton of free or very low cost activities that are only offered in the summer.  Add in beautiful weather, working from home and homeschool and you've got yourself one FULL calendar!

So here begins a two part series on getting your homeschool ready for the summertime.  In this first part, I will be talking about all the awesome activities that our family participates in and the best part is that they are all either FREE or super cheap.  As in, super duper cheap.  Yay!

Well let's just jump right in shall we?


First, I start by checking out our local library program online.  You could also stop in and pick up a summer program flyer.  However, I like searching online because they post the programs for all ages for the whole library system, not just school age.  Everything is free too!  And don't forget to check the libraries closest to you, not just your "regular" one that you go to.  We are lucky to have a couple within 20 minutes- I'll drive 20 minutes for a fun, free summer activity!

These programs are typically offered weekly or twice weekly.  Here's just a few of the programs that our library system will be offering this summer:

For Teens- Marble Magnets, Duct Tape crafts, Make It: Ditigal Microscopes, LED wristbands, CODEACADEMY (learn how to code computers), Minecraft Building Challenge, Hands on Henna, Guitar 101, Writer's Workshop, Soundlab, Amazing Race Digital Scavenger Hunt

For School Ages- Summer Kickoff: Raptors in the Library, Lego Club, Reptile Man & Friends,  Explore Summer: All About Frogs, Whale Tales, How to Train Your Dragon (dragons & vikings), Blast Off to Mars, Our Magnetic Sun, Animal Habitats, Project Recycle

For the 5 and under crowd- Saturday Science: More Trees Please, Storytime, Science: Sea, Sand & Surf, Toddler Play & Learn Group, Saturday Science: Earthworks, Baby & Me Storytime, Ready Readers

Seriously- how awesome is this!?!  Something fun for kids of all ages- and yes, many libraries also offer adult programs.  So check them out!  Really.  Do It.

The local YMCA is up next.  They offer lots of extra fun summertime activities for the kids, especially for the school aged kids.  Every day, Monday through Friday at our local Y- there's a specific activity from 1:30-3:30pm.  Typically, there's only one or 2 per week that the kiddo wants to attend.  So those get marked on the calendar.  They also offer summer day camps if you're so inclined and there are swimming lessons too.  But let me share something totally awesome with you now...shhh....are you listening?  You don't have to be a YMCA member to participate in their activities.  You can pay a flat one time "day rate" and just enjoy a fun day of swimming, crafts and classes.  Our Y charges just $5 dollars- yep, only $5 dollars!  There is also something totally cool called Swim Week.  It's a full week's worth of lessons for just $10.  It's open to everyone in the community, all you have to do is sign up.  Now that's a sweet deal!

Next up is the $1 movies offered by Regal Cinemas.  Yeah, you heard me- just one dollar!!!  Here's the link to see if they offer this in your area.  These are movies that have been released throughout the school year, they are NOT new releases and they are all kid friendly movies.  The kiddo and I sit down and go through the list and then I put the ones he wants to see on our summer calendar.  The movies are usually offered first thing in the morning before the movie theater opens for their regular business day, for our's- that's 10am.  But not too worry friends, you can still buy popcorn!  Although who can stomach popcorn at 10am is beyond me!  They offer a choice of two movies each week and do this on two days per week, usually Tuesday and Wednesday.  So if you're up for it- you can see one movie on Tuesday and the other one on Wednesday.  However, because our summer schedule is so busy- I limit this to just one day.  And for anyone who has a Lego fan like I do- they will be playing the Lego Movie.  I repeat- the Lego Movie is on the summer schedule!

Now let's add in FREE summer bowling.  Say what?!?  Another freebie- how awesome is that!  Here's the link to see if this is offered in your state.  For this activity, you must sign up and register.  You will print off weekly coupons to take into the bowling alley you've chosen from the list of participants.  You can also add up to 4 adults at a flat paid fee.  So parents can bowl with the kids every single day of the week.  Beware- you must pay for the shoe rentals, but everything else for the kiddos is free.  Sweet!

It's time to add in FREE museum visits.  Holy Crap- can you even handle all these FREEBIES!!!!!  So here's how it works- most museum's offer one day per month, sometimes it's a specific time frame, that is totally free for everyone.  They do this year round- not just in the summer.  You can simply google "visit museums for free" and your local city and you should be able to pull up a nice list.  Or you can visit the museum's websites directly to see if they offer this- not all of them do.  Our favorites to visit are the local children's museum, Imagine and the Museum of Flight.  Imagine offers the half price admission on Thursdays and then totally FREE admission every 3rd Friday of the month.  So just do a little research on the museums near you and then make sure to mark it on your calendar.  And word to the wise- plan for it to be busy.  Any time something is free, it will be busy.

And here it is- another awesome FREEBIE!  Did you know that most local hardware stores offer a free building clinic for school aged kids?  Pretty awesome!  You simply need to register online, print out the form and go.  They are usually offered on Saturday mornings- we like the ones at Lowes.  You get a free apron, goggles, an iron on patch and of course, you get to keep what you build.  These are offered year round- but during the summer, they have fun movie themed builds.  Visit your local hardware store online or in person for more information!



Pick up your calendar in store or online.

Next up, at least for this house, is the activities at the local Lego Store.  The kiddo is obsessed, so we make this a priority in our schedule.  You can pick up a monthly calendar in the store or view it
online at Lego.com.  Each month they offer a FREE mini monthly Lego build that you get to keep.  But be prepared for long lines!  In addition to this they also do a themed monthly Lego Club meeting.  These you have to register and pay for and you do not get to keep what you build.  Instead, you are given a "goodie bag" upon leaving.  Typically, these are offered on Saturday mornings before the stores open.  Cost is about $30 but if you sign up for a free VIP membership, you get a discount.  We do not participate in these every single month- could you imagine the added costs to doing this!  Instead, I sign the kiddo up for the Club meetings that are on the specific Lego's he's currently into.  For example, he LOVES the Superhero themed Legos- so we did that one.  And next month is the Lego Movie themed Club meeting, so he will participate in this one.  We've skipped the Star Wars ones, Lego City and more because they aren't his favorites.  Just be selective here to save on costs.


Ok- so far we've filled our summer calendar with FREE library programs, FREE activities at the local YMCA, $1 movies, FREE bowling, FREE museum visits, FREE Lego mini builds and Lego Club meetings.  What more could there possibly be?!?  Why FREE farmer's markets and water parks of course!

Let's start with the water parks.  Ok- these aren't water parks in the grand scheme that you're probably thinking....but more of those little splash parks that many local parks have.  We are lucky enough to live literally right around the corner from a pretty great park that offers one of these splash parks.  So you better believe that we add in a weekly trip here!

Splash Pads!  Totally free & fun!

This park also offers a Farmer's Market in the summertime on every Friday.  So we usually end our week by stopping at this local Farmer's Market.  This is a relatively small market but they offer fruits and veggies, local honey, flowers and the all important- kettle corn and snow cones.  What more do you need?  To find a local Farmer's Market near you, click this link and simply enter in your city. 
And don't forget to check out what's happening on your local farms!  Berry picking, corn on the cob, animals, hay mazes- all super fun and low cost!

Now what would all these activities be without a little book work.  Right?  During the summer time, I keep the kiddo's lessons light and fun.  Each year, I plan something new and different.  This summer, I purchased a monthly science kit membership.  I was lucky enough to score a deal on Amazon local for 50% off making the kit just $120- that's only $10 per kit!  Every month, a different themed kit is mailed directly to our house and includes everything he needs for a complete science based unit study.  Now that's pretty awesome!  Click here to see the kit I ordered from the Young Scientist Club and the Magic School Bus.  This is by far- THE MOST money I've ever spent on summer time lessons.  In fact, it's probably the most I've ever spent on school stuff period.  Seriously.  You think I'm joking- but I'm really not.

I have also signed the kiddo up for a FREE summer math program.  The cost is typically $40 but they are currently offering a summer special.  Here's the link to sign up your kids!  Because we've never done this program before, I can't offer any reviews.  But I can tell you that it looks like your kids take an assessment to determine their skill level and then the assignments are given based upon that.  You can also set up rewards and incentives along the way.  For example, I just put in a reward for a trip to Menchies for FROYO after the kiddo completes 5 assignments with a score of 80% or higher.  Sweet!

I also print out FREE worksheets, art projects and science experiments from Education.com.  You will need to register with your email address and then you have a specific number of free downloads per email.  Folks- register every single email address you've ever had and you can seriously maximize this great free source!

Whew!  Are you tired yet?  Let's recap!

• Free library programs
• Free summer programs for YMCA members
• Low cost ($5-$10) activities at the YMCA for non members.  Including swimming, arts & crafts, swim lessons, exercise classes, recreation hour, sports and more.
• Free summer bowling
• Free trips to local museums
• Free building clinics at local hardware stores
• Free Lego mini builds
• Discounted Lego Club meetings when you sign up for the free VIP membership
• Farmer's Markets, parks and splash parks
• Half price science kits from the Young Scientist Club
• Free online summer math program
• Free worksheets from Education.com
• Free science experiments and art projects also from Education.com

Holla!  This list is sure to keep the boredom monsters away from your house this summer and keep your wallet nice and fat.  Ok....well at least it won't be totally empty, right?

Stay tuned for my next post discussing how I incorporate all these awesome summer activities while balancing working and homeschooling.  And can I just tell you how hard it is sometimes to keep your kids on track with lessons when it's gorgeous and sunny every single day?  I've got a plan for that too and I'm sharing it with you all!  Don't miss it!

Vegetarian "Whole Food" Freezer Meals

While I love the idea of spending an afternoon cooking so that I could have a variety of easy meals on hand- I do NOT love the idea of sacrificing quality.  Seriously- have you seen some of the recipes for make ahead freezer meals?!?  Full of processed foods and meat.  Lots and lots of meat.  Yuck!  So I set out to make this concept work for the way my family eats.  Which, if you follow my blog at all, you know that we eat organic, whole foods and not a lot of meat.  We are flexitarians!

I started at 11am and by 5pm, I was done.  But keep in mind that I was working and homeschooling during this time frame.  Oh- and I took an hour long break to eat lunch and watch General Hospital.  So it probably only took me 3 or 4 hours in all.  By the time I was finished, I had 8 meals plus dinner for the night for a total of 9 meals.  Sweet!

9 Meals in 4 hours!

Here's what I made:

• Veggie Fajitas
• Crockpot Bean, Barley & Veggie Stew X 2
• Marinara Sauce
• Baked Ziti Casserole
• Scalloped Potatoes X 2
• Crockpot Lentil Veggie Soup
• Crockpot Black Beans & Rice

I realize that this is a bit of a weird combination of meals but I literally decided last minute that I was going to do this.  I did NOT go grocery shopping first or put together any sort of master shopping list.  I simply made these meals based upon what I already had in my refrigerator and my pantry.  Now that's pretty awesome if you ask me!

Add the barley but NOT
the liquid

For the Veggie Fajitas, I followed my recipe exactly except I did NOT put the olive oil in the ziploc bag.  When it's time to cook this meal, I will add the olive oil in while it thaws for 24 hours in my fridge.  Then cook and serve with tortillas and beans.  I had some peppers that I needed to use up but I simply didn't have enough for a double batch.  Oh well...next time.

With the Bean, Barley & Veggie Stew- yes, I did add the barley in with everything else.  Add extra spices and feel free to mix in any veggies you have available.  I put in carrots, celery, onions, garlic, cauliflower, peas, kale and green beans.  Do not add in the water.  Just add it to your Crockpot when it's time to cook.  And same thing with the Black Beans & Rice.  I added the washed rice but left out the liquid and will add that in later as well.

Use a measuring cup to ladle
 liquids into a bag

Make one batch of this yummy Marinara Sauce and use half to 3/4 of it for your Baked Ziti Casserole.  This casserole is seriously the easiest meal you'll ever make.  Combine cooked ziti with the marinara and top with parmesan cheese and mozzarella.  I use the remaining marinara for stromboli or homemade pizzas.  Perfection!

Here's a few tips:

• Cut all your veggies & separate into bowls before you even get started.  Same thing with your garlic.  Then you can just scoop the right amount into your ziploc baggie as you put together all the ingredients.
• Use canned beans for your recipes.  Dry beans simply won't cook right and might end up still being hard when it's time to eat.
• Do the easy stuff first.  Yeah- you heard me.  Get the easy meals out of the way.  I saved the Scalloped Potatoes for last because they take the longest.
• Double up the recipes if you can.  Because I didn't really do any prep work for this, I could only make one batch of certain meals.  Next time, I will plan on making double batches of everything.  That way I'm getting twice as many meals for half the work.
• Make sure you write the recipe in sharpie on the bag or container.  And don't forget to include instructions if needed.  How long to bake, what temp and of course if you need to add anything prior.  You can even put what to serve it with if you wish.
• Try to make full meals when doing this- basically, something that can stand alone and doesn't need sides.  Like if you make a roast, you'll want something to go with it.  With these meals, almost all of them are complete meals.  For the scalloped potatoes and baked ziti casserole, all that's needed is a quick salad and dinner is done!

I'm SO looking forward to being able to pull out a homemade and healthy meal from my freezer this summer.  I don't know about you, but I really don't like cooking when it's hot outside, so this will make my summer a breeze.  A little prep work now will save you time and money and bonus- it's good for you too!

Happy cooking friends!

On Being a Traditional Wife

I've been a wife for 10 years now.  And yes, I fully realize that in the grand scheme of things- that's really not all that long.  But you know what, I'm pretty proud of those 10 years.  As anyone in a loving, committed relationship will tell you- marriage is hard.  It really truly is- and there's simply NO WAY you can prepare fully for the journey that is marriage.  Same thing with motherhood- but I'll save that for another day!

So today I want to share with you all just a brief snippet of what it means to be a Traditional Wife.

You should first know that I take this job very seriously.  And yes, I said job.  I consider myself to be a career wife and mother.  This is all that I have ever wanted to do with my life.  I grew up dreaming of my future husband and taking the family to Disneyland for vacay.  I wanted the cute little house where I could bake cupcakes and fold laundry.  I had my heart set on this job- and nothing else would do.  Whoa- I bet that is sure to upset some of the feminists out there!  But here's how I view it- a feminist is someone who believes in women's rights, for equality and for the ability to make our own choices.  And ladies- this is EXACTLY what I'm doing.  I have every right to dream of becoming a fabulous wife and mother, just as some of you might desire to be an astronaut, doctor or teacher.  Go Feminism!

Ok- yikes!  I got a little off track there....sorry.

So yes, I considered my job as a wife to be the fulfillment of my childhood dreams.  That's pretty awesome, right?  But what exactly does it mean to be a great wife?  Because listen, if you're going to do something- do it well.  That's my motto- aim for success and don't bother doing something if you're not going to succeed at it.  Oh geez- some of my perfectionist traits are peeking out a little bit there....here we go....

Being a Traditional Wife Means:


Putting your husband's needs first!  You heard it here ladies- your man comes first.  He should be your priority.  Is he sleeping enough?  Hungry?  Need some alone time in the garage?  Want to go fishing this weekend?  And yes- I fully realize that this might not always be possible.  But try.  Simply try to put your husband before yourself.  Think of him when making decisions- even simple ones like what to make for dinner.  I never make fish because my husband hates it and says it stinks up the house.  The last thing I want is for him to come home from a long workday and escape upstairs because the house smells bad.  Got it?  Good.


Compromise.  We as women are just naturally better communicators- sorry guys, but you know it's true.  So the job of the being the first one to initiate compromise will simply fall to you.  Strive for resolution, help your husband to navigate arguments and lead when it comes to compromise.  And when all else fails, use this phrase- "I'm trying to compromise with you, meet me halfway?"  Works every single time.

Fulfilling your duties.  A wife has many jobs and for each women and each marriage that might differ.  But I can tell you that in my house my jobs are pretty traditional.  I am in charge of all the cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and basic household tasks.  I am also the one who pays the bills, plans vacations, makes doctor appointments, homeschools the kiddo (with the exception of a few father-son projects), buys our clothes, gives haircuts, feeds the dogs, takes out the trash...you get it, I do a lot of stuff.  But another of my duties is having sex with my husband.  Yeah- I went there.  It is your job to have sex with your husband- and lots of it.  Do not underestimate the value of maintaining intimacy in your marriage.  The more sex you have, the better everything will be.  Trust me on this one.



Put your husband on a pedestal.  Whoa Nelly.  First I'm talking sex and now this?  I know....I know...but here it is- as a wife you MUST honor, respect and ADORE your husband.  Yep- I said adore.  Look past his faults and admire all the great things about him.  Way too many marriages end in divorce when the wife starts griping that her husband didn't do this or didn't do that.  Sure, we all have our grievances and there's nothing wrong with letting someone know when they disappoint you or upset you.  This is not what I mean here.  The idea is to look beyond this.  Acknowledge that no one is perfect and realize how truly blessed you are to have this man by your side.  Look up to him, not down on him.



Unconditional Love.  So here it is- we've reached the last thing on the list.  To me, being a wife simply means that I will love you forever- no matter what.  The horrible thing about people is that we are human and we have the ability to hurt one another, deeply.  Marriage is no different.  But to be a truly amazing wife, you must forgive.  Forgive your husband.  Always.  And do not let those issues stop you from loving him.  Underneath everything, you must have a deep and unshakable love for your husband.  With this comes the steadfast knowledge that nothing and no one can harm your marriage.  Give him everything, all the time.

Well there you have it.  Please keep in mind that these are simply my views on marriage and what it means to be a Traditional Wife.  I also want to acknowledge that I am not perfect.  I am not a perfect person and certainly not a perfect wife.  But I try my very best and I strive to meet all these things.  I take this role very seriously and I consider myself truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband.


Want to read more on being a Traditional Wife?

• How a Traditional Wife Begins Her Day
• A Morning Checklist for Traditional Wives
• How a Traditional Wife Can Support Her Husband
• Marriage: A Traditional Housewife

Are You a Yes Mom?

Or maybe a No Mom?

Say what?

Well think about it- how often do you say Yes or No to your children?  For most of us, it probably falls into either one or the other.  I know many parents who are constant "Yessers".  And yeah- I just totally made that word up but it works, right?  They are saying Yes to every single thing- trips to get Froyo, new toys, staying up past bedtime, cell phones, visits to the park, new video games.  You get the idea.  Then of course there are parents who say No to everything.  No to playing games after dinner, No to ice cream, No to a new Lego set and on and on it goes.

For me- I like to think I'm somewhere in the middle.  But the reality is that I probably lean more towards the No side of things.  Sigh...

So this year, I've decided that I'm going to try to say Yes more often.  This does NOT mean I will become a "Yesser".  Ok yeah- that word doesn't really work does it?  But you know what I mean.  The next time William asks me if he can stay up a little past his bedtime or if I will play Uno with him- I will do my best to say Yes.  And when he wants to go play at his favorite park, even though I have a mountain of work to do- I will try to say Yes.  Staying late after classes, so he can play on the playground- Yes.  Buying ice cream cones and chocolate sauce at the grocery store so he can make himself a fun treat after dinner- Yes.  Watching loom band tutorials with him on YouTube- Yes.

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.

I want my child to look back on his childhood and remember all the fun things we did and all the wonderful adventures we had.  That simply can't happen if I'm saying No all the time.  Balance is the key here and this is what I'm striving to reach.  So I hereby declare, that I am going to make more of an effort to be a Yes Mom.

Think about it-which one are you?  A Yes Mom or a No Mom?

The Best Homeschooling Lessons Do NOT Come From a Textbook

Remember at the beginning of this month, when I posted about Unschooling?  Eh- perhaps you don't.

The gist of it was that the kiddo decided he was going to write a letter to his Great Grandparents in California.  He poured over this letter for a full week and then made some original mud drawings to accompany the letter.

Well today, the kiddo received a return letter.  He tore into that thing like it was Christmas!

The return letter

And the letter that followed the sweet puppy dog calendar was simply the best letter a Grandparent (or in this case, Great Grandparent) could write to a young child.  I'm not going to copy it word for word- because, well....some things are private.  But I will give you just a short excerpt that my Grandpa wrote to the kiddo.

"Will:  Got your letter yesterday along with paw prints in "real mud" of your Buddy.  That is one of the most thoughtful and special letters that I have ever received.  Thank You."

So yeah.  That was awesome.

I just want to take a moment to acknowledge all the things that are right with this:

• Investing in the special bond between Grandparents and Grandson
• Taking the time to write a reply
• Acknowledging when someone has done something special for you
• Leading by example
• Going above and beyond
• Showing your family what it means to be a Grandparent- honesty, respect, follow through, kindness and consideration
• Being a constant and uplifting presence in your Grand children's lives

And now I want to highlight what the kiddo has learned from all of this:

• Something as simple as writing a letter, can brighten someone's day
• Thoughtful gestures should always be appreciated
• There are lots of people who love you and show it
• Some Grandparents are truly awesome
• Proper etiquette and letter writing skills
• Going above and beyond
• Following the example set by these Grandparents, as they always write letters to the kiddo
• What it means to invest in a special relationship
• Getting mail is fun- even for Grandparents

Personally, I have learned that this is the type of Grandma I want to be when I get older.  I want to be a loving and constant presence.  I want to write letters, send cards and funny emails.  Well- if emails and the post office still exist in 50 years!  I want to celebrate with them and be thankful for them.  I want them to learn that they can count on me.  But most importantly, I want to show them love and teach them what it means to be a Grandparent.  I want to lead by example just as my Grandparents have done for me and for my son.

These lessons didn't come from a book, an online class or unit study.  Because as all homeschooling parents know, the best lessons in life, the ones that last forever- are those we don't learn from a textbook.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Alright, it's been two months now since the husband and I started drinking Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and I wanted to share with you all the results.



After just one week-

• Experiencing a burst of energy about 1 hour after drinking
• More time in the bathroom....gross.
• Clearer skin

One Month-

• Getting used to the taste
• Much more energy throughout the day
• Minor sore throat- not sure if this is from the ACV or not

Two Months-

• Body doesn't hurt as much at the end of the day
• Not as hungry
• Feel happier and more content- not as moody
• Help with sinus issues

Unfortunately, the husband has suffered from recurring sinus infections for the last 10 years.  Specialists have said he will need surgery to correct the problem- which we are hesitant to do.  With our change in diet, his sinus infections have drastically reduced. Just last week, he was beginning to experience sinus issues again.  We decided to try Apple Cider Vinegar to relieve the symptoms and doubled up on the ACV.  Within 2 days- the symptoms were completely gone.  GONE!!!

Now, I realize that drinking ACV is more about the long term health benefits versus the short term.  But I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with the changes I've seen in just two months!  The results have been so positive that we will continue to drink ACV despite it's less then pleasing taste.

For those of you wondering how we drink ACV-

• Combine 2 Tablespoons with 1 Cup cold water
• Drink first thing in the morning

And if you're wondering what all the wonderful health benefits are-

• Lowers cholesterol
• Helps with arthritis
• Lowers blood pressure
• Helps alleviate sinus issues
• Gives you energy
• Helps with depression
• Prevents indigestion
• Reduces swelling
• Freshens your breath
• Helps with nighttime leg cramps
• Fights yeast infections
• Boosts weight loss
• Relieves headaches
• Clears up skin/prevents acne
• Fights allergies
• Dissolves kidney stones
• Prevents against disease
• Alkalizes the body
• Relieves nausea
• Helps with asthma

With all these amazing benefits- why aren't you drinking ACV?  Yep, that was the question I asked myself.  So run out to the store and buy yourself some of this amazing stuff!  But make sure you buy this one, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar.  It needs to be organic, raw, unfiltered and contain the Mother.  Yep, the Mother.

I Have a Confession to Make

 I'm almost 33 years old and I'm obsessed with the color pink.

My obsession has reached unnatural levels as evidenced by my closet.  I have 4 colors- well, 3 shades and one color to be exact.  They are White, Black, Grey and Pink.  Seriously.  If it's not that color, then I don't buy it and it's not in my closet.  The only exception to this is denim- I do have blue jeans and of course a jean jacket.  However, my shoes and purses are all in these colors.  And while I'm spilling my guts here, I should probably tell you that I always paint my nails pink and even my travel coffee mug is pink.  Yep, it's official- I'm crazy for pink.

A peek at my closet.  Yes, it's true,
I really do only have 4 colors!

This is a little insane, right?  But listen close- there's some sort of genius behind all this madness.  It started when I was working for a very upscale furniture company.  I was expected to dress the part and I dropped a fortune on clothes.  Most of which I outgrew as soon as I stopped working there.  Boo!  So I found myself having to rebuild my wardrobe on the limited funds of a now stay at home Mom.  That meant that I simply couldn't afford as many clothes and I had to really be able to mix & match my clothing pieces.  So I started with just the basics.  Plain white t-shirts, tank tops, good jeans, black skirt- you get the idea.  And since my favorite color has always been pink and it's the color that looks the best on me and I wear most often, I just decided to buy all the non-basics in pink.  That way I could very easily mix & match just about every single item in my wardrobe.  And now- 8 years later, it's all I wear.  As I sit here typing, I'm wearing a black maxi skirt, white t-shirt and cropped denim jean jacket.  Perfection.

So I took this same philosophy and applied it to my home decor.  Now as much as I would love love love to do a very girly pink home... OOOHH...I can see it now, my favorite retro 1960's era furniture and lots of pink everywhere....my husband would NOT be appreciative.  That's why I choose a very neutral brown for the walls.  I think it looks like coffee with cream and it beautifully compliments all the black furniture.  I do have a few natural greens and some colorful table linens to mix things up a bit.  But for the most part, my house is furnished and decorated in brown, white and black.  Ah- how I do love the color black.  I think it's a very simple & classic design.

Want to know the best part?  This crazy genius idea keeps me from buying too much stuff.  Let's say I see a sweater I love but it has shades of blue & purple.  I would simply not buy it because it's not one of my four designated colors.  And best of all, I know that I don't really have anything to mix & match it with in my closet.  So it's a no go.  Same principal goes for something for my house.  How about a beautiful red vase?  Purple candles?  Yellow striped throw pillows?  Sorry, pass.  It would simply not go with anything I have in my home.

Makes sense right?  I know it's a little OCD but to be perfectly honest- that fits my personality.  I like things to be a certain way.  I like things to match and blend well together.  Plus, I'm frugal- so this helps me stay on track budget wise.

And here's the best part- after incorporating my favorite color into my wardrobe, it's become my signature color.  I never would have thought that I would be that person...you know, the one who has a signature color.  But I am and I do and it works.

I love pink and pink loves me.

We Are Flexitarians!

We aren't vegans.

We aren't vegetarians.

We aren't pescetarians.

We aren't ovo lacto vegetarians.

We aren't pollotarians.

We aren't raw vegans.

We are flexitarians.  Ok, seriously....that's quite the list of things we aren't!  But this is really the word used to describe the way my family eats.  A flexitarian is someone who eats primarily a plant based diet.  Occasionally, they will eat meat or fish.  A flexitarian is basically a carnivorous vegetarian- the diet is mainly vegetarian with a little meat now and then.  Hmm....well that makes sense, right?  I bet many of you might be flexitarians too!

So why do we eat this way?  Well simple really- eating a plant based diet is much better for you.  You will live longer, you will have more energy, you will help prevent disease and you will be healthier.  Not too mention that it's much better for the environment and it's animals.  Have you seen what factory farms are doing to God's creatures?  It's horrific and needs to stop.

We made the switch to this type of diet and really, this type of lifestyle several years ago when the kiddo was just beginning to eat solid foods.  It has been a very slow process for us, mainly because it's expensive to buy organic, natural and whole foods.  But also because it's not only a change in your diet, but it's a whole new way of life.  And as anyone who is wanting to make a life change knows- these things take time.

We eat mostly plants, beans, grains- really, most things that come from the earth and occasionally, we like to eat cheeseburgers.

Monday through Friday in our house is strictly meat free.  In addition to this, I shoot for one or two days that are completely animal free.  We love our sour cream, so I have to admit that this has been rough!  Oh yeah- and cheese.  We really do love cheese and sadly, the vegan cheese tastes nothing like the real deal.

Yes, there IS enough protein in plants!  

We severely limit processed foods.  I admit to having a few organic brands in the freezer for those rare moments when I don't cook from scratch.

We eat mostly organic.

I try to buy only whole foods.  I accomplish this by shopping the outer isles of the grocery store.

I do not buy the convenience items unless of course I'm traveling and don't have the ability to slice & dice.  So things like sliced apples, shredded cheese, prepackaged parfaits or fruit cups etc.  I prefer to make all this at home.  Yes, it takes more time but it's worth it.  Did you know they add sawdust to pre shredded cheese to keep it from sticking?  Sawdust!  Yeah, no thanks...I'll take the extra 2 minutes and shred my own.

We make better choices when eating out.  But yes, we do still indulge.

We know where our food comes from.  Visit the local farmer's markets, purchase your meat from a local family farm, learn where your off season produce comes from, read those labels and teach your children that food comes from the earth- not a box!

We are healthier.  And boom- there it is.  The best benefit to eating a flexitarian diet is that you will simply feel better.  Your body feels nourished from the inside out.  You're less stressed, you don't have "stomach issues", your headaches go away, your skin clears up....seriously, it's amazing.  I'm almost 33 years old and I feel better now then I did 10 years ago.  You can't beat that!

So for those of you looking to make some changes in your diet, may I suggest becoming a flexitarian?  It's super easy to incorporate more veggies and fruit into your diet and there's some truly yummy vegetarian recipes out there!  And bonus- you can still have your cheeseburger and eat it too!

And because I know how hard it can be to make these changes- I've included some links below to some of our favorite recipes.  Good luck to you- you got this!

• Lentil Chili
• Quinoa with Black Beans, Corn & Cilantro
• Garlic Parmesan Orzo
• Veggie Fajitas
• Super Simple Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Restaurant Taquitos
• Green Smoothie
• Yogurt Berry Smoothie
• Honey, Lemon & Ginger Tea

Never Get Sick Again!

Winter is finally over and the flowers are starting bloom.  Spring is officially here!  This also brings an end to the cold and flu season- Yay!

How did your family survive?

My family?  Well...we did even better this year then we've done in the past.  Not one single person in my family was ill.  No colds.  No flu.  No sickness- none.  Now that's pretty awesome if you ask me!  And since I've had several fellow homeschooling Momma's at the kiddo's program ask me how we've managed this- I thought perhaps this information might be useful to you.

It's important to note that the kiddo has gotten a tiny, very mild case of the sniffles once or twice this season.  It usually lasted for less then a day, we treated it with holistic care and less then 24 hours later, it was gone.  I have also had a few days where I wasn't feeling 100%.  However, this has more to do with being a tired, overworked homeschooling Momma then getting a cold or flu.  With rest, I was fine.  My husband has also had a nasty sinus infection- however, where he once used to get several throughout the cold/flu season- this year it was just the one.

So yes- we do still occasionally not feel our best.  However, in the last 3 years we have not had a cold or the flu.  This is also about the time we totally overhauled our diet and I strongly believe that this is no coincidence. My son has never really experienced the flu or a true, long lasting cold.  He has also never had an ear infection.  Can you believe that?!?  Crazy right!  He is extremely healthy and my husband and I have made steps to be equally as healthy as our child.  I'm going to share with you how we do it- here goes!

• Food.  Yep, it ALL comes down to your diet.  If you put crap into your body, you will feel like crap.  You will get rundown, your immune system will be compromised and this will open you up for sickness.

My recommendations are to eat an organic, plant based diet as much as you can.  And when you are starting to not feel well- heal your body with food first.  Say what?!?  I know right?  You can cure your illness through food.  Now that's amazing!

It's no secret that we love the power of a Green Smoothie.  It's the perfect combination of anti-inflammatory and energy boosting goodness to get your body back to health.  It also helps to detox all the bad toxins- basically, it flushes the shit out.  Gross I know, but VERY effective.

We are also big fans of Kombucha.  Kom what?  Kombucha.  It's awesome.  Make sure you are buying organic, raw Kombucha- we like this brand.  You can also brew this stuff at home but to be honest, I just don't have time for that right now.  Use Kombucha anytime you're feeling "off" and I guarantee you will begin to feel better by the time you've sipped half the bottle.  Which BTW- this stuff is powerful.  Sip slowly and with purpose, don't overdo it- especially your first time around.  We love this stuff when traveling as well, since we can't always blend up a batch of Green Smoothies, but you can easily find Kombucha in many grocery stores.  And you all know what travel does to your body.

Kombucha!

• Supplements.  I've had many people tell me that I'm wasting my time and money by taking vitamins and supplements.  However, the research supports the healing properties and benefits to incorporating supplements into your daily regime.

Elderberry Syrup
for kids!

We take magnesium, vitamin C, fish oil, vitamin D, calcium and glucosamine daily.  My husband also takes cinnamon for his high blood pressure.  As always, check with your doctor or naturopath before beginning any supplement regiment.  Do they work?  Yes.  I have actually put this to the test.  Last week I stopped taking my morning supplements and by day 4, my body was really hurting.  Aches and pains and I was seriously dragging- I had NO energy.  So yes, for us they work and we will continue to invest in them.

During the cold/flu season we all (kiddo included) take Elderberry.  I can NOT say enough good things
about Elderberry.  This is the second season we've added this natural element to our health care routine and I've noticed a big difference.  The husband and I take our Elderberry in capsule form simply because this is what's easiest for us and the kiddo takes his by drinking elderberry syrup each morning.  We do this from October to the end of March.

We use Trader Joe's organic virgin
Coconut Oil

• Coconut Oil.  This oil has some amazing health benefits but just make sure you are buying organic!  Recently we've started adding coconut oil to our diet.  I will admit that this has been a difficult task for us, mainly because I really don't like the taste of coconuts.  So that can clearly make it difficult to try and use it for cooking but I will say that I LOVE it on popcorn!  SO freakin' good!

We are also using coconut oil by oil pulling.  The kiddo has yet to try it but the husband and I both try to do this several times per week.  We also use coconut oil topically.  I put it on my face after I wash every night and I love putting a small amount in my hair each week as a deep conditioner.  It's great for treating rashes and skin conditions too!  And I have heard that it can be used as a sunscreen so I'm excited to try that out this summer.

• Quarantine.  Yep, you heard me right- although perhaps that's too strong a word.  Simply put, if we know someone is sick we stay away from them.  Now don't feel bad, it's nothing personal but I don't want those germs anywhere near my healthy family.  And when the kids start "going down" at the kiddo's homeschool program, I have no problem keeping him home for a day or two.  Seriously- think about it.  If they get sick, they are home from school/classes anyways.  So why not just do a preemptive strike?

• Epsom Salt Baths.  Who would have thought that Epsom Salt baths would help you maintain your overall health but they do, they really do!  They help to draw out the toxins and ease muscle aches and pains and they can also help reduce stress.  Now that's pretty cool!

I recommend taking at least a 30 minute bath once per week.  You can also try adding in some essential oils and I've heard of folks using baking soda with the Epsom Salts.  Ah- good old baking soda.  But for me, right now I'm just using regular Epsom Salts from Rite Aid.  Nothing fancy.  And let me tell you- I feel SO relaxed and my skin feels amazing.  Try it- you'll see!

• No Vaccines.  OOOHH....this is sure to be a controversial item on this list.  Which is why I've saved it for the very end!  We no longer get the flu vaccine.  Personally, I feel that if you are doing all of the items above then you're covered.  There's simply no need to inject a chemical cocktail into your body.  

It's important to note that we do get some vaccines.  However we do our research first and are very selective on what we inject into our bodies and more importantly, our son's body.  This is simply my recommendation for you all.  No matter what your personal beliefs are on vaccinations- I urge you to simply do a little research first and make an educated decision for your family.  

• And finally- listen to your body.  

You will know when something isn't right.  When your throat starts to hurt- that is the time to take precautions.  Not after it's developed into a full blown cold.  If you wake up feeling a little queasy, act now- not 12 hours later when you are hunched over the toilet.  If you're tired then rest.  If you're energy is low- make yourself a Green Smoothie.  It really is that easy.  Along with a healthy lifestyle- no smoking, no excessive drinking, plenty of sleep etc., you can easily keep you and your family healthy during the dreaded cold and flu season.

My family has drastically improved our overall health just by following the simple suggestions above.  If we can do- then I know you can too!

What I Want for Mother's Day...And You Probably Do Too!

Husband's take note.  Here's a list of things every Mom secretly wants for Mother's Day.  It is our special day after all....and what better way to treat that special woman in your life then by giving her one of these simple things.  Go for broke and do all 10, now that's the way to celebrate the amazing woman in your life!

1. Sleep.  Yes, sleep.  But really, this has to be strategically planned.  Husbands, you will need to wake up before the kids, practice your super sweet (and quiet!) Ninja crawl down the stairs and then do not make any noise.  At all.  Better yet- take the kids and leave.  But don't tell me about it, don't send the kiddo in for sweet goodbye kisses, just be gone with your noisy selves.
2. No Cleaning.  Today I do not want to pick up anyone's crap.  I don't want to put a plate in the dishwasher or find dirty socks behind the TV, I do not wish to scrub the carpet after the dog barfs and for heaven sakes- I WILL NOT BE WIPING BUTTS TODAY.
3. Feed Me.  I feed you and the kiddo every single day, most times- three times each day.  For today only, you can be in charge of feeding me.  And while you're at it- don't forget to feed the kid and dogs too!   
4. To Plan the Day.  Mother's Day inevitably ends with you asking me what I want to do.  How about if you plan something special that you know I will enjoy and then we simply go do it.  And no- I do not want to go fishing.  I don't like fishing, you like fishing.  So this would not be fun for me.
5. Ice Cream and Cake and Pie.  Oh My.  Yes, I want something delicious to treat myself with today.  I work hard all year, I deserve it.  But don't make me bake it myself and for all that's holy, find a good bakery.  NOT the grocery store!  And this time, can I actually have a piece?  Nothing says you're an awesome Mom more then giving the kiddo the last piece, especially if you never got one to begin with.  I think today, I should have the first piece.
6. An Advice Free Day.  Yep, you heard that right.  I love advice.  I love hearing these great tidbits of wisdom from those who've experienced Motherhood, homeschooling, marriage etc but today...today I just want to be left alone.  Today I'm in my bubble and it's gonna be awesome!
7. To Go Shopping Without You.  It's like a totally different experience when the husband isn't wondering why I need this or why I want that.  And not having a bored child hanging on me- priceless.  I don't even need to buy anything.  Going is gift enough.
8. No Tacky "Mom" Gifts.  Ok- I love gifts.  But you know what I don't love?  Tacky Mom jewelry, a t-shirt or any article of clothing for that matter that declares me as being "Mom" and no- I do not want a new vacuum.  If you saw a commercial on TV for it- DO NOT BUY IT, easy as that.  Tasteful jewelry or flowers are nice.  But better yet- have the kiddo make me a card and you can write me a love letter.  That gift is worth far more then rubies.
9. Beautiful Weather and a Cocktail.  I want to end my day sitting on the back deck, munching on chips and salsa and drinking my adult beverage, courtesy of my loving husband.  And would it be too much to ask to have the sun shining and a gorgeous 70 degrees outside?  Ah...Heaven.
10. You.  Yes- you.  Today I want to be reminded of the real reason why I'm celebrating.  And that's being a Mother.  That wouldn't be possible if I hadn't first become your Wife.  So today, I want to spend the day with the two people who mean the most to me.  My son and my husband.

Ladies- what do you think?  Did I get the nail on the head with this list or what?  And please- keep in mind it's supposed to be a little funny and humorous.  I love my husband and my child and whatever they chose to do for me will be most appreciated.  So to all you wonderful Mom's out there, my own Mother included- I wish you a most special Mother's Day, you've earned it!

10 Things That Happen When You Switch to REAL Food

Well #1 should definitely be that your stomach will NOT explode.  But sadly, that didn't make the list.

It's officially been FIVE YEARS since we started on our food journey.  Yeah, I call it a food journey...weird I know....Five years ago, we started with just a few simple baby steps and it's gradually become a big part of our lifestyle.  While there's the obvious changes like- you'll feel better, you'll be healthier, you won't have as much money because you're spending it all on organic food and of course, you won't have to fear an exploding stomach, there's a few other (more subtle) changes that I've noticed.

So here you go- in no particular order.  Ten things that I've noticed from simply making the switch to an organic and natural, whole foods diet.

1. You will have less trash.  Seriously!  Each week, my trash can used to be overflowing and my recycle bin was packed too.  Now, I barely fill my trash can up halfway.  That's a 50% drop in the amount of trash we produce.  Now that's crazy!  And just you wait until I start composting!  I bet my trash can will be empty then!
2. Your fridge will look empty.  Like- "help me, I'm poor and can't afford food" empty.  The only time that my refrigerator looks full now is the day I get home from the grocery store and perhaps the day after.  However since most our food is now whole foods, mainly fruits and veggies- my drawers are full but my shelves are empty.
3. You will poop more often.  Yep, I said it.  Most people go on average once per day.  However, when eating a whole foods diet, its not unheard of for that number to increase to 3-5 times per day.  Think about all that shit that was backed up inside your body before making the switch.  Gross!
4. You won't be able to eat out and travelling will become much more difficult.  Fast food is pretty much off the list.  But if you're lucky there might still be a couple restaurants where you can dine
   
   without feeling ill afterwards.  And good luck trying to find those places- it's like playing Russian Roulette with your stomach.  Word to the wise- stay away from anything with lots of MSG.  Trust me on this one...And travelling, oh geez....before making the switch you could simply stop at the drive thru or pick up something at your hotel.  But now this convenience simply doesn't exist.  Best of luck to you my friend, getting sick while on vacay is NO fun!
5. You will run your dishwasher daily, maybe even twice per day.  I hate to admit this but before changing our diet, I used to run the dishwasher weekly.  Yeah, you heard that right- weekly!  Sometimes I would run it simply because it was starting to smell, even though it wasn't totally full.  Now it seems to always be full because we are simply eating at home more.  It's not rocket science- when you eat at home more, you have more dirty dishes.  If you have more dirty dishes, you spend more time in the kitchen, if you....ok, ok....I'll stop, you get it.
6. You'll probably start carrying food around with you everywhere.  To be honest, I almost always have an "approved" snack in my purse.  Mainly for the kiddo because he's an eater.  However, it's not uncommon to see me eating nuts and dried fruits while sitting at the YMCA.  Or snacking on apple slices in the library.  Recently I was eating a bowl of yogurt and bananas while William was outside riding bikes with the neighbor boy and I was visiting with his Mom.  So be prepared for some weird looks and curious stares.
7. You will eat more often and eat less at each meal.  I used to eat a big lunch and big dinner and nothing else.  Now, I find myself eating all three meals and adding in at least one or two snacks.  Mainly because whole foods are so filling, you simply don't need to consume as large quantities.  And your kids?  Holy Buckets....they will never STOP eating!  My advice, simply listen to your body.  If it's hungry, feed it.  But remember that food is fuel, so make good choices here.
8. You will talk about it ALL the time.  It's like you've discovered this amazing healthy secret and you must share it with every single person you know.  Unfortunately, most folks don't want to hear it and are bothered by it.  But sadly, you just can't stop.  It's like some sick compulsion....you MUST share with everyone you know.  Oh- and if you're not talking about it, chances are you're thinking about it.  Gah- will it ever end?!?
   
9. You will make other healthy changes in your life and begin doing things you once thought were crazy.  Once you switch your diet, you will naturally begin to evaluate other areas of your life.  Expect to change your beauty products, cleaning supplies, soaps, candles, fragrances, clothing, cars and so on.  Your eyes will be opened to the dangers of consuming GMO's and processed foods.  Once that happens, there's no turning back.  And with these other changes will come a ticket to Crazy Town.  I simply can't believe that I drink Apple Cider Vinegar each morning, put Coconut Oil in my hair and on my popcorn and go a week without washing my hair.  It's official, I've arrived.
10. People will think you're weird.  Yep, trust me...this WILL happen.  And they might even think you're crazy too!  Anytime you go against the "norm" people will view you differently.  Have the courage to know you're making the right choices and to ignore the hurtful comments and ignorant words.
    

There you have it.  Have you noticed these things too?  Pretty crazy all the side effects from simply changing the food you eat!

Unschooling Rocks!

Did you see the post last week called, How Do YOU Homeschool?

Well if you missed it, I talked a bit about how my family homeschools.  Part of our process involves Unschooling.  The idea that children direct what they want to learn, when they want to learn it.  Oh yeah- Unschooling.  While I wouldn't consider us 100% to be Unschoolers, we do really love the concept behind child-led learning and try to embrace it whenever possible.

So how does this translate into real life?

Now that's a very good question.

It looks something like this.

I know....pretty adorable huh?  That's the kiddo.  Just this Monday, he decided that he wanted to write a letter to his great Grandparents.  We have visited them almost every year since he was 3 and he talks about them often.  My Grandpa, his Great Grandpa, writes him letters and sends him mail just about every month.  This is something he has done with all of his grandchildren and now his great grandchildren- it's amazing and truly special.  So even though they may live two states away, they have still made it a priority to be in his life and in our lives.  This is what being a Grandparent is all about, now that's simply awesome!

So back to the letter.  The kiddo must have rewritten this letter 3 or 4 times.  He carefully fixed his spelling errors (although I'm sure there's still a few) and worked on how to properly begin and end his letter, worked on grammar, sentence structure and basically poured over this masterpiece daily until he had it just right.  He then added some original artwork in the form of mud drawings, yes mud.  And so his trusty sidekick, Buddy Boy wasn't left out- he helped Buddy Boy make his own mud paw print.  Trust me, my Grandparents will love this perhaps most of all.  By Thursday, he was finally finished.

We discussed another visit and researched some areas that we thought might be fun to see.  Since they live in the desert, the kiddo was curious to learn more about this climate and some of the animals we saw on our last trip.  And when all was said and done, I taught him how to properly address the envelope to mail and then we drove down to the post office so he could weigh it and mail it.

This is Unschooling.

The kiddo woke up one day and decided he wanted to write a letter.

Then we worked on spelling, grammar, how to mail packages, geography, art etc.  I was there the entire way to assist him but I did NOT tell him to what do, what to write or anything else.  I was simply there to facilitate the learning and to provide him with the tools he needed to continue on his own journey.  This was not part of a curriculum or unit study.  It happened naturally and we explored it further so as to expand upon the learning.

This is what happens when you relax and allow your children to follow their own interests.  I'm sure that most parents are already doing this, you may not even know you're doing it!  This is Unschooling and it Rocks!




*Want to read the follow up post?  Click here to read all about the return letter and the lessons learned.