I had a bit of a revelation today. It started yesterday. Well, technically I've been thinking about it and working on it for over two years, but yesterday I'd HAD IT! P's behavior was out of control and I knew it was my fault.
With A I had been a very diligent parent when she was younger, correcting everything immediately (without hovering) and using every incident, good or bad, as a teaching moment. I was diligent with P also, until he was almost two and I was VERY pregnant with the twins. Once they arrived...what was discipline? Who had time for it, let alone available hands, while breastfeeding twins, diapering twins, feeding twins, chasing after crawling twins... you get the picture. I let way too much slide his past two very impressionable years. We were in constant survival mode and it didn't allow much time for effective discipline. So two years post twins' birth, and I have a very untrained, disobedient, and willful four-year-old son.
Over the past couple of months I've learned quite a bit about my personality and his from Carol Tuttle, author of "The Child Whisperer" and founder of Energy Profiling found on her blog, thecarolblog.com. This has been a huge help in understanding my lack of desire to continually discipline (I'm a T1/4) and in understanding his lack of desire to follow any rules at all whatsoever while laughing and creating a diversion in a big way (he's a T1/3). However, even Carol proclaims the need for children to be disciplined, just understood in the process. A T1 loves everything to be "fun." You would think as a T1 mom that I wouldn't have any problem with that, but my T4 tendencies like to know when that fun can take place, and bed time is not it. The bed time routine can be fun, and I enjoy it, but once it's bed time, that's it...lights out on the fun. Carol suggests sending a T1 child to bed with a toy. We tried it, he LOVED it, but my T2 2 year old he shares a bedroom with did not. Either did I, since he just got wound up instead of worn out. Also, the bathroom is not a setting for fun, in my opinion, neither is the dinner table a setting for toys during mealtime, etc. We have rules for a reason and those rules aren't always fun, but there are plenty of other times and places for fun, and I'm learning to make more of those moments so that when a boring old rule comes into play, he feels okay about following it because he's already had oodles of fun.
While I know these things, I have still struggled with him. He does not have a heart for obedience. "What am I doing wrong?" "What should I be doing differently?" were questions I was asking myself. I don't think I am a bad parent. I am at home with all of my children considerably more than they are in the care of others, so I knew I couldn't blame a bad influence on someone else. I feed them healthful foods, give them plenty of time for rest, time for outdoor play, time for fun, time spent training in household chores. P even has a chore chart at the age of four.
But every day continues to be a struggle. Meal time and manners, kindness toward siblings, performing basic chores or tasks, bed time. All of these things are daily struggles and I have ended up resorting to hovering, threats, bribes, spankings. All of which are screaming to me that I am failing as a parent. I don't believe there is room for hovering, threatening, bribing, spanking in a successful family.
Yesterday was the fourth day in a row of complete disobedience in all things. I thought these kind of children only happened to bad parents, so maybe I'm a bad parent after all. But, I decided enough was enough and I pulled out the spanking spoon. I had tried time out, bribes/ rewards, trips to the park and the store to get away, an extra 'break/nap,' and I felt I had exhausted all the possibilities of helping him obey except spanking. So, after almost an entire day of spankings to correct this ongoing disobedience, I went to bed feeling like the worst parent EVER.
Today I was driven to the scriptures. I was frustrated, had just sent him to his room at 9:00 a.m. to lay down in his bed with threats of spankings if he was to get up, and with tears in my eyes, I realized I hadn't read my scriptures yet. I turned in prayer, asking for forgiveness for my shortcomings as a parent of His child, and for Him to show me a better way. He did.
I read several scriptures:
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (I know, I know. I failed in this department...I will resolve to do better... but how? How do I train him up, what I'm doing isn't working...)
Proverbs 23:12-14 "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." (What!? The scriptures are encouraging the spanking!?..."Apply thine heart to instruction" if I did that part, it probably would never escalate to spanking..."Withhold no correction from the child"...if I consistently corrected EVERY time, it would never reach a spanking point, I'm sure)
Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"
Col 3:21 "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they become discouraged."
(Two scriptures that counsel us not to "provoke" our children to anger...spanking makes my children angry...discouragement is Satan's tool...why would spanking discourage my kids? Do they feel like there is no redemption from their wrong?)
1 Timothy 3:2,4-5 "...vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach:...One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity:(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (These scriptures are counsel for a bishop, but applies to any parent who also wants to further the Lord's church...we obviously need to model the attributes listed above to "rule well" our own house... but how do we bring our children to subjection with all gravity?)
1 John 4:12-13, 16, 18, 5:2,4:14-15 "...If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Herby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."v.16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (I know I need more love in my heart. I know I need God with me in a way I don't right now. I know I need to be more diligent in my scripture study and prayer in the morning so that my thoughts and focus are pointed toward His will, not my own. I need His love in me before I start the day) v. 18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (Again, spanking and threats create fear. There is no room for fear in love. Spanking might be appropriate at times, but not on a regular basis. This is being confirmed to me over and over again. It does not foster feelings of love in me or in him.) 1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." (By increasing my love for God and following His commandments more closely, it will show in the love I show my children...even through discipline and correction) v. 4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (Yay! I have this promise! And I don't even want to over come the world...just this mountain of disobedience in front of me!) v. 14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (I'm sure you can imagine the prayer I sent heavenward).
As I pondered my responsibilities as a parent, even though we are counseled that we use the rod (spanking), I don't believe that 'raising them up in the nurture of the Lord' means to use the rod on a regular basis for everything. "Train up a child," "having his children in subjection with all gravity," "apply thine heart unto instruction"...were all running through my head. When I realized that I needed to change MY heart by turning toward God, I also received a bit of revelation in the form of a thought. What if "the rod" was "the word of God" like in Lehi's dream and I needed to teach him the error of his ways, using "the word of God," or the commandments as we know it. What was spanking teaching him? That Mom hits when she's angry? That he makes Mom angry? That Mom is to be feared? I thought about it from his perspective...what if he thought he couldn't do anything because Mom might hit him? How scary would that be? I don't beat my child. One swat for an offense and a verbal warning are what I use when I use it. That's how I have justified it all this time. I was spanked as a kid. My parents counsel me to spank. But really, what is it teaching? Why not ask him some questions about his behavior to encourage understanding of why this behavior is wrong?
Get his attention with the words, "That is not a good choice." I hope to soon be asking the question, "Was that a good choice?" when he has grasped this concept a little better.
Help him think about his choice with the words, "Why is that not a good choice?" I've had to help him quite a bit, but it really has him thinking about it. I'll ask the question followed by other questions depending on the offensive behavior until he has grasped why what he did was not a good choice .
Help give him an idea for how to have good behavior next time with the question, "What would be a good choice?" or "What would be a better choice?"
Then guide him to an idea for restitution with the question, "What would help make this better right now?"
(i.e. He was kicking the back of his sisters seat in the car after repeatedly being asked not to. I said, "That is not a good choice." I deliver the entire sequence of statements and questions in a 'ground zero' voice with no anger, no annoyance, no negativity. I gave it a second to sink in, and he stopped immediately. I followed with the question, "Why is that not a good choice?" and I allowed another short pause for him to answer. When he didn't reply, but the behavior hadn't resumed, and I could tell he was thinking, I asked, "Would you like it if your sister was doing that to you? Why wouldn't you like it?" He responded with, "No." and "Because." Typical answers for a four year old, so I gave him several possibilities, "Would it bother you? Does it hurt a little bit? Do you get tired of it? Would you feel happy if she did that to you?" He remained engaged in the conversation, with replies, of "yes" and "no" at appropriate times, so I could tell he was thinking about it. I then followed with, "What would be a better choice?" Again, a pause to allow him to respond, then I gave him several ideas. "What if you just kicked your feet without kicking them far enough to hit the chair? Or what if you wanted her attention and you used your words? Or what if you clapped your hands to be busy?" I then ask the question, "What would help make this better right now?" The kicking had already stopped, so he apologized very nicely without much prompting from me since he had a better understanding of why his behavior was offensive. SO MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE than any other form of discipline I have used with this child.)
We had the opportunity to use this method innumerable times today, and every time I felt that his apology was sincere, like I had successfully taught him, and I didn't feel like I was forcing him to behave. He truly tried harder today to have good behavior and I think he and I both felt we were successes instead of failures at the end of the day.
I also had the opportunity to curb some undesirable behavior from A as well with this method with great success despite the eye rolling it invoked. The corrections were much more gentle and she was able to redeem herself from her behavior so that she didn't feel like a failure or like she was bad. She is often reduced to tears when she is corrected because she feels like when we correct her behavior we are always pointing out everything bad about her. She was easily able to see that it was the behavior that was being corrected, and she really did most of the correcting herself with very little prompting. I also felt that she exhibited less undesirable behavior throughout the day than she had in the days previous.
Words were much kinder in our home today, as I was able to set the tone with effective correction that didn't invoke discouragment, anger, raised voices, contention, or any of the other negative behaviors that keep the Spirit from our home and invite Satan in.
Such a wonderful answer to prayer.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Oh, To Find A Balance
I am a bit "free" in the way I think, speak, and act (and that's a nice way to put it). I have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time, because I have so many great ideas firing off in my head! Finishing things I start is also a bit of a challenge, especially if it's looking good and I can picture the final product in a positive light and know it'll be something I love (for some reason I think I'll get back to finishing it into something I DO love, right after I finish this other thing I've really been wanting to do). OR if it takes more than a day to complete. OR if I get side tracked by kids, laundry, dishes, meals, a phone call, or a million other things.
Needless to say, hum-drum daily tasks are not something that get me excited, so I'm always trying something new that will require less time, less thought, less of my energy, and still get it done because I would rather be working on one of the million fun ideas I have bouncing around in my head. I really dislike performing the daily tasks and the hum-drum of daily routine, but I love enjoying the benefits of delicious, inexpensive, home cooked healthful meals, a tidy house that's not embarrassing if someone stops by unannounced, being able to find things I'm looking for in their designated place, kids who are happier because Mom is happier, getting places on time, and the list goes on.
Here are a few tools I have found to be invaluable in staying organized enough to get household tasks done, but putting my twist on it, so it doesn't become too dull and boring. I have combined the following ideas to get my cleaning routine down to a 20-45 minute speed clean every other day (everyone that's home at 8:00 a.m. helps with the speed clean routine, including the two year old twins), an additional 15 minutes a couple of times on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for laundry, and an additional 20 minutes of extra cleaning in designated rooms.
I made some changes to the designated rooms routine because many of those things are included in the speed cleaning routine. I do find that our bathroom keeps up appearances much better using the speed cleaning method, and that the few things I do extra once each week in designated rooms takes considerably less time. I also added in Sabbath day readiness on Saturday, which has helped keep a cheerful spirit in our home Sunday morning (we have 8:30 a.m. church) instead of feeling rushed and flustered trying to find last minute things (usually shoes and putting together snacks while trying to get a good breakfast in).
The speed cleaning is recommended every day, but it's just not a priority for me to keep it immaculate, and every other day keeps it pretty darn clean. Since I started regularly including the kids in our speed cleaning routine and cleaning up after meals until it's DONE has really helped them take ownership of their messes and I don't feel like I am a maid cleaning up every day.
With a nine year old, four year old, and two year old twins, I don't hold bragging rights to an immaculate home...we do still live, love, and play here...but it's a manageable mess that's clean underneath!
We implemented a chore chart point system that is working really well for limiting the sense of entitlement my children have for extra things (i.e. friends over, treats, going to the park) and also eliminates my nagging and reminding, and their chores get done. Our nine year old completes her chores totally on her own, but I do have to read the chores to our four year old (he chooses which order to complete them in), and then I do have to help him stay focused and complete them (he has the same problem his mother does...he still has hope of outgrowing it though). All chores have to be completed without complaining (we added the eating of meals and helping clean up afterwards to the chore chart with points and this has almost eliminated complaints at meal time), some chores have to be completed before 10:00 a.m. and some have to be completed before 7:00 p.m. to receive points. If chores are completed after the designated times they don't receive points. If chores aren't completed at all they have a negative point value for that day. My nine year old also has a list of bonus chores with designated points that are actually 'my' chores she can help with. We also added a good attitude point value that is all inclusive for the day. A good attitude (not getting in time out or breaking a family rule) earns them 50 points. A bad attitude can cost them 50 points. They each have their own individual lists of rewards, but our four year old still hasn't grasped the concept of cashing his in. Our nine year old is saving hers up =).
I have also found that making seasonal rotating menus helps me spend less money making more healthful meals more often, and keeps variety in our meals, and I had to make less grocery shopping trips. We live an hour away from Costco and Winco, so buying ahead makes sense if I know what I'm really going to use. We also have two outdoor deep freezers, so I could really stock up on and freeze fruits, vegetables, and meat, knowing exactly what I was going to need for the next three months. We were also not tempted to eat out as often when I kept up on it.
I have 28 meals for 4 seasons and I rotate through them for three months (Winter menu is rotated through December, January, February, Spring menu is rotated through March, April, May, Summer menu should theoretically be rotated through June, July, and August, and the Fall menu rotated through September, October, and November).
HOWEVER, I still can't seem to stick to the summer menu I made. I need to spend some time remaking it to something I'll actually do. Summer is too busy and too hot to want to spend time in the kitchen cooking and I need to make more allowances for that.
I also ended up taking inventory of my freezer and pantry for the last two weeks of each seasonal menu rotation and altering the rotating menu to use up what I may have overstocked. I loved using this in the Winter and Spring because I felt like I spent almost zero time meal planning, and I could make a triple batch of sauce the first time I made it and froze the other two portions because I knew I would be making it again two more times. It takes the same amount of time to triple a batch as it does to make one batch, I only have to do it once, and only wash the dishes once. I loved it! It felt like cheating sometimes. It was fantastic.
My challenge with the summer has been #1: the heat, #2: less structured schedules, #3: my kids not sleeping as well because it's light outside for longer (we unsuccessfully tried black out curtains), #4: did I mention the heat? We don't have central air, just a couple of window air conditioning units. They're sufficient but I don't feel inspired to cook. Plus with the larger variety of fruits and vegetables I'm not sure what's going to be available and when so that makes it harder to plan. Those are my excuses. Maybe I just needed a break from the structure the seasonal rotating menus provide, even though the benefits far out weigh the boredom caused by the routine.
I would love to get to a place where I have meal prepping for the week down to a small block of time, but as of yet, I've only been motivated to accomplish that once or twice in my lifetime. I always seem to have something more attractive captivating my attention.
I know it sounds like all this takes a ton of time, but it actually saves us time and allows bigger blocks of time for the things we really love...like family and projects!
Needless to say, hum-drum daily tasks are not something that get me excited, so I'm always trying something new that will require less time, less thought, less of my energy, and still get it done because I would rather be working on one of the million fun ideas I have bouncing around in my head. I really dislike performing the daily tasks and the hum-drum of daily routine, but I love enjoying the benefits of delicious, inexpensive, home cooked healthful meals, a tidy house that's not embarrassing if someone stops by unannounced, being able to find things I'm looking for in their designated place, kids who are happier because Mom is happier, getting places on time, and the list goes on.
Here are a few tools I have found to be invaluable in staying organized enough to get household tasks done, but putting my twist on it, so it doesn't become too dull and boring. I have combined the following ideas to get my cleaning routine down to a 20-45 minute speed clean every other day (everyone that's home at 8:00 a.m. helps with the speed clean routine, including the two year old twins), an additional 15 minutes a couple of times on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for laundry, and an additional 20 minutes of extra cleaning in designated rooms.
I made some changes to the designated rooms routine because many of those things are included in the speed cleaning routine. I do find that our bathroom keeps up appearances much better using the speed cleaning method, and that the few things I do extra once each week in designated rooms takes considerably less time. I also added in Sabbath day readiness on Saturday, which has helped keep a cheerful spirit in our home Sunday morning (we have 8:30 a.m. church) instead of feeling rushed and flustered trying to find last minute things (usually shoes and putting together snacks while trying to get a good breakfast in).
The speed cleaning is recommended every day, but it's just not a priority for me to keep it immaculate, and every other day keeps it pretty darn clean. Since I started regularly including the kids in our speed cleaning routine and cleaning up after meals until it's DONE has really helped them take ownership of their messes and I don't feel like I am a maid cleaning up every day.
With a nine year old, four year old, and two year old twins, I don't hold bragging rights to an immaculate home...we do still live, love, and play here...but it's a manageable mess that's clean underneath!
We implemented a chore chart point system that is working really well for limiting the sense of entitlement my children have for extra things (i.e. friends over, treats, going to the park) and also eliminates my nagging and reminding, and their chores get done. Our nine year old completes her chores totally on her own, but I do have to read the chores to our four year old (he chooses which order to complete them in), and then I do have to help him stay focused and complete them (he has the same problem his mother does...he still has hope of outgrowing it though). All chores have to be completed without complaining (we added the eating of meals and helping clean up afterwards to the chore chart with points and this has almost eliminated complaints at meal time), some chores have to be completed before 10:00 a.m. and some have to be completed before 7:00 p.m. to receive points. If chores are completed after the designated times they don't receive points. If chores aren't completed at all they have a negative point value for that day. My nine year old also has a list of bonus chores with designated points that are actually 'my' chores she can help with. We also added a good attitude point value that is all inclusive for the day. A good attitude (not getting in time out or breaking a family rule) earns them 50 points. A bad attitude can cost them 50 points. They each have their own individual lists of rewards, but our four year old still hasn't grasped the concept of cashing his in. Our nine year old is saving hers up =).
I have also found that making seasonal rotating menus helps me spend less money making more healthful meals more often, and keeps variety in our meals, and I had to make less grocery shopping trips. We live an hour away from Costco and Winco, so buying ahead makes sense if I know what I'm really going to use. We also have two outdoor deep freezers, so I could really stock up on and freeze fruits, vegetables, and meat, knowing exactly what I was going to need for the next three months. We were also not tempted to eat out as often when I kept up on it.
I have 28 meals for 4 seasons and I rotate through them for three months (Winter menu is rotated through December, January, February, Spring menu is rotated through March, April, May, Summer menu should theoretically be rotated through June, July, and August, and the Fall menu rotated through September, October, and November).
HOWEVER, I still can't seem to stick to the summer menu I made. I need to spend some time remaking it to something I'll actually do. Summer is too busy and too hot to want to spend time in the kitchen cooking and I need to make more allowances for that.
I also ended up taking inventory of my freezer and pantry for the last two weeks of each seasonal menu rotation and altering the rotating menu to use up what I may have overstocked. I loved using this in the Winter and Spring because I felt like I spent almost zero time meal planning, and I could make a triple batch of sauce the first time I made it and froze the other two portions because I knew I would be making it again two more times. It takes the same amount of time to triple a batch as it does to make one batch, I only have to do it once, and only wash the dishes once. I loved it! It felt like cheating sometimes. It was fantastic.
My challenge with the summer has been #1: the heat, #2: less structured schedules, #3: my kids not sleeping as well because it's light outside for longer (we unsuccessfully tried black out curtains), #4: did I mention the heat? We don't have central air, just a couple of window air conditioning units. They're sufficient but I don't feel inspired to cook. Plus with the larger variety of fruits and vegetables I'm not sure what's going to be available and when so that makes it harder to plan. Those are my excuses. Maybe I just needed a break from the structure the seasonal rotating menus provide, even though the benefits far out weigh the boredom caused by the routine.
I would love to get to a place where I have meal prepping for the week down to a small block of time, but as of yet, I've only been motivated to accomplish that once or twice in my lifetime. I always seem to have something more attractive captivating my attention.
I know it sounds like all this takes a ton of time, but it actually saves us time and allows bigger blocks of time for the things we really love...like family and projects!
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Bottle Calf Electrolytes Recipe
When our jersey bull calves arrived, we were elated! The kids immediately named them. Aleska chose the name Cocoa for the larger calf, who was lighter in color, and Parker chose the name Pookie for the smaller calf, who has a darker streak of color down his back. I did have to explain to them that these calves are not pets and that we are going to eat them, and both of them look disgusted and appalled! We had a hamburger and steak discussion, and how long we would have them before they would be butchered, and even though the information seemed to be accepted I still got glances of abhorrence after our talk.
The calves seemed to settle right in, taking to the buckets with very little assistance, and eating really well. We were told to feed them two quarts of real milk (not milk replacer) two times each day twelve hours apart. We had straw in stalls for them and we thought we were set!
Fast forward one week and they both have scours. Ugh. Cocoa is still acting healthy, but Pookie was shaking as I was feeding him and eliminating at the same time. Everywhere. And it had traces of blood. We found this recipe and we're trying it, but replacing the pectin with gelatin. Not sure if that is an improvement or not, but the pectin is vegetable and fruit based where the gelatin is beef based. And we had it on hand. We'll be following everything else she recommends.
Best Bottle Calf Recipe via Hub Pages and Leighr67
Calf Health
The weather here in Southwest Idaho has wreaked havoc on my bottle babies this year! I lost several calves to scours and dehydration or pneumonia. I tried all of the feed store brands of electrolytes but found them all lacking and over priced. My calves wanted nothing to do with them and wouldn't drink them!
Here are a couple of the ways I have stopped my calf mortality...
Simple and Effective Recipe to Cure Scours!
This recipe I found online is the best and has brought my calves back from near death!
The price is also a fraction of that of commercial electrolytes!
When they will not drink anything else they will drink this! I have never had to tube a calf when feeding this mixed with warm water to equal 2 quarts.
1 can beef broth (not concentrate)
1 box of pectin(the kind used to make jello)
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
Mix Broth and baking soda and salt, add pectin and mix with enough warm water to make 2 quarts( a full calf bottle). Feed to the calf laying down, standing up, whatever you have to do to get it down his throat. Once they taste it they usually want it and will keep sucking.
Feed 2 bottles of this before returning to regular milk feedings and feed the milk in smaller amounts more often.
Example: 1 quart of replacer 4 times a day or split 2 bottles into 3 feedings. Sometimes little calves cannot handle all that milk and over feeding is what causes the scours to begin with.
Shots
Another big help I have found is giving Selenium and Vitamin A&D.
I inject Bo-Se 2.75 ml and 1.5ml of Vitamin A&D
The minute I get my calves home. This has helped with preventing White Muscle disease. They go down and wont drink and do not have scours, lose their will to live. This has happened to a couple of calves this year. Since I started these shots It has stopped.
B-12 helps to bring back their appetites when they are not feeling good as well. Ask your vet for prescriptions for that and the Bo-Se.
UPDATE: This home made electrolytes worked for the scours for one calf but we lost the other calf. I would chalk it up to inexperience and not recognizing the scours for what they were early enough. I'm confident this would work if given early enough.
UPDATE: This home made electrolytes worked for the scours for one calf but we lost the other calf. I would chalk it up to inexperience and not recognizing the scours for what they were early enough. I'm confident this would work if given early enough.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
"The Last Time" by Danniel J. Lennax
From the moment you hold your baby in your arms you will never be the same.
You might long for the person you were before,
When you had freedom and time,
And nothing in particular to worry about.
You will know tiredness like you never knew it before,
And days will run into days that are exactly the same,
Full of feedings and burpings,
Nappy changes and crying,
Whining and fighting,
Naps or lack of naps.
It might seem like a never-ending cycle.
But don't forget...
There is a last time for everything.
There will come a time when you will feed your baby for the very last time.
They will fall asleep on you after a long day
And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child.
One day you will carry them on your hip then set him down,
And never pick them up that way again.
You will scrub their hair in the bath one night
And from that day on they will want to bathe alone.
They will hold your hand to cross the road,
Then never reach for it again.
They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles,
And it will be the last time you eve wake to this.
One afternoon you will sing "the wheels on the bus" and do all the actions,
Then never sing them that song again.
They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate,
The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone.
You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face.
They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.
The thing is you won't even know it's the last time
Until there are no more times.
And even then, it will take you a while to realize.
So while you are living in these times, remember there are only so many of them
And when they're gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.
For one last time.
Danniel J. Lennax
You might long for the person you were before,
When you had freedom and time,
And nothing in particular to worry about.
You will know tiredness like you never knew it before,
And days will run into days that are exactly the same,
Full of feedings and burpings,
Nappy changes and crying,
Whining and fighting,
Naps or lack of naps.
It might seem like a never-ending cycle.
But don't forget...
There is a last time for everything.
There will come a time when you will feed your baby for the very last time.
They will fall asleep on you after a long day
And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child.
One day you will carry them on your hip then set him down,
And never pick them up that way again.
You will scrub their hair in the bath one night
And from that day on they will want to bathe alone.
They will hold your hand to cross the road,
Then never reach for it again.
They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles,
And it will be the last time you eve wake to this.
One afternoon you will sing "the wheels on the bus" and do all the actions,
Then never sing them that song again.
They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate,
The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone.
You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face.
They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.
The thing is you won't even know it's the last time
Until there are no more times.
And even then, it will take you a while to realize.
So while you are living in these times, remember there are only so many of them
And when they're gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.
For one last time.
Danniel J. Lennax
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Chef Salad
Anything is optional:
Greens (organic iceberg, spring greens, baby spinach, kale, endive, etc.)
Hard boiled eggs, sliced
Ham, cubed
Beets, cooked and sliced or shredded
Olives, diced or sliced
Cucumbers, halved and sliced
Carrots, shredded or sliced
Tomatoes, diced
Onion, finely sliced (red, yellow, green)
Cheese, shredded or crumbled (cheddar, Gorgonzola, blue, Parmesan, etc.)
Organic baby peas
Sunflower seeds, hulled
Salt & pepper
Add a dressing of your choice...viola...eat as a main dish or as a side!
Greens (organic iceberg, spring greens, baby spinach, kale, endive, etc.)
Hard boiled eggs, sliced
Ham, cubed
Beets, cooked and sliced or shredded
Olives, diced or sliced
Cucumbers, halved and sliced
Carrots, shredded or sliced
Tomatoes, diced
Onion, finely sliced (red, yellow, green)
Cheese, shredded or crumbled (cheddar, Gorgonzola, blue, Parmesan, etc.)
Organic baby peas
Sunflower seeds, hulled
Salt & pepper
Add a dressing of your choice...viola...eat as a main dish or as a side!
Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Chicken
10 minutes prep/6-8 hours to cook
3-4
boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
½ c. soy
sauce
4 t. honey
3 cloves
garlic, crushed
½ t. ground
ginger
1 T.
Sriracha hot sauce
½ c. water
2 T.
arrowroot powder
1 T. water
2 T. green
onions, finely chopped
1 t. sesame
seeds
Grease
crockpot. Place chicken in crockpot.
Combine soy
sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, hot sauce, and ½ c. water in a
bowl and pour over chicken. Cook on LOW
6-8 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours.
Once done
cooking, pull chicken out and place on a large plate. Mix arrowroot powder and 1 T. water in a
small bowl and pour into remaining liquid in the slow cooker. Turn heat to high and cook another 15
minutes.
Shred
chicken and add back to slow cooker.
Serve over
rice or steamed broccoli, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Pizza
24 hour soak/20 minutes prep/ 25 min to cook
2 cups yellow
lentils
1 1/2 cups water (plus water for soaking and rinsing)
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried herbs of your choice (such as oregano or basil)
1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder (optional)
1 1/2 cups water (plus water for soaking and rinsing)
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried herbs of your choice (such as oregano or basil)
1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder (optional)
Frozen spaghetti sauce
Desired toppings: SUPREME: sliced salami, crumbled sausage,
shredded cheese (we omit the cheese and it's still delicious), sliced onions, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh diced tomatoes (added after it's cooked) HAWAIIAN: deli ham (we use a nitrate free, preservative free deli ham), fresh pineapple chunks TACO: ground beef cooked with taco seasoning, added taco seasoning to the spaghetti sauce, shredded lettuce, salsa, green onions, olivesWash lentils (removing any stones or other impurities) and soak overnight. Drain and finely grind in food processor. Add 1 ½ cups water, oil, salt, and herbs and blend until mixed completely. (If you have a high powered blender like a BlendTec or Vitamix you can skip grinding the soaked lentils in the food processor and just blend all the ingredients with the soaked lentil in the blender until a smooth batter.
The consistancy is a very thick batter, not a doughy bread. Spread onto greased cookie sheet or pie pan. I like to use ground flax seed to sprinkle the greased cookie sheet with prior to pouring the pizza batter on it. It seems to pull away from the sheet better after it's cooked.
Preheat oven to 400 °F. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
For best results if using for pizza, bake first, then add toppings and heat until cheese melts and toppings are heated (approximately 10 more minutes).
The pizza is easily removed from the pan if it is allowed to cool for about 15 minutes. If you like your pizza hot, it's still delicious and holds together, just the very bottom layer of the pizza dough might remain on the pan.
We like our pizza served with a green salad!
Seasoned Chicken
15 minutes prep/ 10-15 minutes to cook
2 full
chicken breasts or 8 chicken thighs
¼ c. butter
or other cooking fat, melted
2 T. Organic
No-Salt Seasoning (Kirkland brand found only at Costco...it has dried carrots, basil, celery seed, oregano, , onion, garlic, and so much more. It's a delicious blend and I use it for seasoning my veggies too. If you don't have access to this particular blend you can make your own by combining any of the herbs listed above and expanding to others like rosemary and thyme, and just use approximately 2 T. of your own blend)
¼ t. salt
¼ t. black
pepper
Mix last
four ingredients in a bowl. Baste
chicken with HALF the seasoning mixture.
Grill at medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until
chicken is done, while basting frequently until all of the butter mixture is
gone.
This seasoned chicken goes with almost any side dish. We love it with any kind of potatoes (baked, diced and seasoned, fries, potato salad, etc.), any kind of vegetable, or even rice. It's flavors
Spaghetti
20 minutes prep/ 45 min to cook
1 spaghetti
squash (or 1 lb. brown rice spaghetti noodles)
1 lb. ground
beef
Spaghetti
Sauce:
4 T. cooking
fat or oil
2 large
onions, chopped (2 c.)
2 small
green bell pepper, chopped (1 c.)
4 large
cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 qt
tomatoes or 2 each 30 oz. tomatoes, undrained
2 each 16
oz. tomato sauce
4 T. chopped
fresh or 4 t. dried basil leaves
2 T. chopped
fresh or 2 t. dried oregano leaves
1 t. salt
½ t. pepper
For
spaghetti squash: Slice the spaghetti squash lengthwise. Remove seeds and pulp. Place
cut side up in a baking dish with about 1” of water. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until
the squash easily shreds and is tender.
For
brown rice noodles: Bring 6 cups water +
1 Tablespoon salt to a boil. Add
noodles. Cook, stirring constantly for
13 minutes. Rinse immediately with cold
water for best texture.
Brown
ground beef; drain.
Spaghetti
Sauce: Heat cooking fat or oil over medium heat in a 6 quart saucepan. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic in oil 2
minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in
remainder of sauce ingredients, breaking up tomatoes with a fork. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45 minutes.
RESERVE
½ OF THE SPAGHETTI SAUCE FOR PIZZA:
Combine HALF of cooked sauce with the noodles or squash and ground beef
for tonight’s meal. Divide remaining
sauce into 2 quart size bags for pizzas later this month.
Combine
cooked squash or noodles, ground beef, and spaghetti sauce.
We love this served with a side of green salad and organic baby peas.
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken
HAWAIIAN GRILLED CHICKEN
Jeff
Tibbitts
8-24 hours marinade/15 minutes prep/ 15 minutes to
cook
3 lb boneless,
skinless chicken thighs
2 c. soy sauce
2 c. water
1 ½ c. honey
1 bunch of green
onions, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
¼ c. white onion,
chopped
½ t. minced garlic
1 t. sesame oil
1 (13.5 oz) can
coconut milk
Mix the soy sauce, water, honey, onions, garlic, sesame oil, and coconut milk in a large bowl. Marinade chicken for at least 8 hours or overnight to make sure the flavors infuse.
Mix the soy sauce, water, honey, onions, garlic, sesame oil, and coconut milk in a large bowl. Marinade chicken for at least 8 hours or overnight to make sure the flavors infuse.
Grill chicken for
5-7 minutes per side, or until done, at a low heat so that the marinade doesn’t
burn.
We love this with a side of Garlic Butter Broccoli. YUM!
Southwest Burgers
SOUTHWEST BURGERS
1 lb. lean
ground beef
¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
½ cup finely
chopped red onion
2 teaspoons
minced garlic
1 Tablespoon
chili powder
1 teaspoon
ground cumin
½ teaspoon
dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon
salt
1/3 cup
mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon
lime juice
1 Tablespoon
chopped chipotle chili in adobo
1 bell
pepper, thinly sliced
4 slices
tomato
4 thin slices
red onion
Place beef, ¼ cup cilantro, chopped red onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without over mixing, until
evenly incorporated. Form into 6 equal
patties, about ½ inch thick. Combine the remaining ½ cup cilantro,
mayonnaise, lime juice and chipotle in a small bowl.
Grill the burgers about 6 minutes per side. Assemble the burgers on a plate with the
chipotle mayonnaise, tomato and sliced red onion.
We like these served with green salad and potato salad or green salad and home made french fries.
Our Spring Dinner Menu
I intend to update this as I perfect our menu, but I'm posting what I have right now.
I found an inspiring blog on Seasonal Rotation Menu Planning, and decided to implement it, and it is working great! I have tried a 90 days rotating menu plan, and I never stuck to it because we were eating the same foods in the summer as we were in the winter and the summer foods didn't sound good in the winter (or ingredients weren't available), and vica versa. So this idea of having a four week seasonal rotating menu made sense to me.
I have these in a generic calendar of four weeks of meals that are in season (so I have a Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter menu and each menu is for only four weeks) and the idea is to apply it for 12 consecutive weeks. However, I found that at the end of the Winter menu rotation, there had been some changes to our schedules or meals planned lasted for two meals, and I had quite a bit left in my freezer. I cleaned out my freezer and had a no-buy menu planned that turned into almost four weeks, so we'll have this Spring menu in an eight week rotation. I'll plan on a no-buy menu to clean out the freezer and cupboards again before beginning the Summer menu.
Also, organic vegetables aren't always available when I want them, so I listed main dishes, but not side dishes. I buy what's available and then work it into the menu. Some organic vegetables I can buy frozen at Costco (broccoli, green beans, peas, and occasionally asparagus) or fresh (spinach, kale, lettuce), and those I plan into the menu prior to shopping, otherwise I plan them in when I get back. I make a notation on my shopping list of how many days I need vegetable sides for so I don't over buy or under buy when shopping. I have a separate posts for our favorite side dishes and vegetables.
Week 1:
MON: GB (Ground Beef) Southwest Burgers
TUE: Hawaiian Grilled Chicken, Broccoli
WED: GB Spaghetti, Green Salad
THU: Seasoned Chicken
FRI: Supreme Pizza, Green Salad
SAT: SC (Slow Cook) Asian Glazed Chicken
SUN: Chef Salad
Week 2:
MON: Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
TUE: Spring Rolls, Soy Sauce Green Beans
WED: GB Onion Mushroom Burgers
THU: Chicken Fajitas, Green Salad
FRI: GB Hawaiian Burgers
SAT: Grilled Citrus Chicken
SUN: Roasted Garlic Sausage, Potato Salad, Green Salad
Week 3:
MON: GB Tacos, Refried lentils, Green Salad, Peas
TUE: Buffalo Wings, Broccoli
WED: GB Burriot Bowl
THU: C. (Canned) Chicken Salad Wraps
FRI: Sausage Pizza, Green Salad
SAT: SC BBQ Chicken, Brown Rice
SUN: Fajita Grilled Steak, Green Salad
Week 4:
MON: GB Cajun Burgers
TUE: C. Chicken Tacos, Green Salad
WED: Chicken Glazed Stir-Fry, Brown Rice, Soy Sauce Green Beans
THU: Honey-Glazed Drumsticks
FRI: Balsamic Burgers
SAT: Zesty Roasted Red Pepper Chicken
SUN: SC Shredded Beef Tacos
I found an inspiring blog on Seasonal Rotation Menu Planning, and decided to implement it, and it is working great! I have tried a 90 days rotating menu plan, and I never stuck to it because we were eating the same foods in the summer as we were in the winter and the summer foods didn't sound good in the winter (or ingredients weren't available), and vica versa. So this idea of having a four week seasonal rotating menu made sense to me.
I have these in a generic calendar of four weeks of meals that are in season (so I have a Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter menu and each menu is for only four weeks) and the idea is to apply it for 12 consecutive weeks. However, I found that at the end of the Winter menu rotation, there had been some changes to our schedules or meals planned lasted for two meals, and I had quite a bit left in my freezer. I cleaned out my freezer and had a no-buy menu planned that turned into almost four weeks, so we'll have this Spring menu in an eight week rotation. I'll plan on a no-buy menu to clean out the freezer and cupboards again before beginning the Summer menu.
Also, organic vegetables aren't always available when I want them, so I listed main dishes, but not side dishes. I buy what's available and then work it into the menu. Some organic vegetables I can buy frozen at Costco (broccoli, green beans, peas, and occasionally asparagus) or fresh (spinach, kale, lettuce), and those I plan into the menu prior to shopping, otherwise I plan them in when I get back. I make a notation on my shopping list of how many days I need vegetable sides for so I don't over buy or under buy when shopping. I have a separate posts for our favorite side dishes and vegetables.
Week 1:
MON: GB (Ground Beef) Southwest Burgers
TUE: Hawaiian Grilled Chicken, Broccoli
WED: GB Spaghetti, Green Salad
THU: Seasoned Chicken
FRI: Supreme Pizza, Green Salad
SAT: SC (Slow Cook) Asian Glazed Chicken
SUN: Chef Salad
Week 2:
MON: Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
TUE: Spring Rolls, Soy Sauce Green Beans
WED: GB Onion Mushroom Burgers
THU: Chicken Fajitas, Green Salad
FRI: GB Hawaiian Burgers
SAT: Grilled Citrus Chicken
SUN: Roasted Garlic Sausage, Potato Salad, Green Salad
Week 3:
MON: GB Tacos, Refried lentils, Green Salad, Peas
TUE: Buffalo Wings, Broccoli
WED: GB Burriot Bowl
THU: C. (Canned) Chicken Salad Wraps
FRI: Sausage Pizza, Green Salad
SAT: SC BBQ Chicken, Brown Rice
SUN: Fajita Grilled Steak, Green Salad
Week 4:
MON: GB Cajun Burgers
TUE: C. Chicken Tacos, Green Salad
WED: Chicken Glazed Stir-Fry, Brown Rice, Soy Sauce Green Beans
THU: Honey-Glazed Drumsticks
FRI: Balsamic Burgers
SAT: Zesty Roasted Red Pepper Chicken
SUN: SC Shredded Beef Tacos
Breakfast at Our House Now
I created a post not too long ago about what breakfast looks like at our house but since I've made some changes, I thought I would update what breakfast is looking like at our house. I'm sure there will be another update before long since I am going to be trying natural yeast in our diet to see if we can handle that. I'm thinking positive, and hoping for natural yeast pancakes and waffles, so stay tuned for new recipes to be posted.
I've maintained a rotating menu of breakfasts and shakes and I still have the menu and recipes inside the cabinet door where breakfast is prepared for fast and easy reference. However, the babies are now eating scrambled eggs with the rest of us and I've swapped out a couple of recipes.
UPDATED MENU (April 22, 2015):
Monday: 16 scrambled eggs, berry shakes
Tuesday: flax seed muffins, peanut butter shakes
Wednesday: pancakes, peanut butter & honey, chocolate shakes
Thursday: peanut butter muffins, berry shakes
Friday: waffles, berry syrup, peanut butter shakes
Saturday: crepes, applesauce, blueberries, berry shakes
Sunday: seed porridge or GAPS granola with almond milk or soaked oatmeal (oatmeal is only tolerated by Dad, Mom, and our oldest daughter, so the three younger usually get the seed porridge)
RECIPES
The shakes below each contain similar ingredients, and the similar ingredients all have nutritional benefits. The raw apple cider vinegar provides the stomach with acid for proper digestion. The flax seed and chia seeds create a psyllium husk that is fiberous and gel-like when ground and combined with fluid (water). It aids in the elimination of digestive waste (aka 'helps with constipation'). This part has been a great help for Parker and Gavin both. Organic carrots have naturally occurring digestive enzymes (as does celery, if you can handle the taste in your shake), and are sweeter than standard commercial grown carrots with pesticides. The banana is just for texture and sweetener. Organic beets are great for everything...gall bladder, blood issues, digestion, adrenal fatigue, etc. Spinach is loaded with vitamins and LIFE.
Since there are so many digestive aids in these shakes, you may want to go easy on them at first and slowly increase you intake or risk diarrhea. Also, these shakes can't be blended ahead more than 24 hours. They go rancid quickly and taste best with the most benefits when consumed within 30 minutes of blending. If you want to assemble the ingredients ahead of time, I would recommend putting the measured whole ingredients together in a bag, exluding the seeds (the seeds just stick to the bag and moisture from the vegetables make them 'gel').
Shakes are a great place to hide supplements for the littles, too. We take apart the enzyme capsules and probiotic capsules and put the powder with the fish oil in individual shakes (after the shakes are blended) in a smaller portion to make sure they get what they need. After the kids drink their entire portion with their supplements they can have more.
Berry Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco or Costco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco or Costco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
1 cup berries (I buy organic at Costco)
1 Tablespoon honey (optional) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
1 very ripe banana, frozen and peeled
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco and often freeze it in the package it comes in without doing anything special to it...I add it just like I would if it were fresh)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Peanut Butter Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
1 Tablespoon honey (optional) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
3 very ripe bananas, frozen and peeled or 1 banana, 1 cup berries for a PB & J flavor
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
1/4 cup peanut butter (I use Adams brand)(Camber said that nut oils help your stomach create bile necessary for digestion, so there's an added benefit to this shake)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
2 Tablespoons honey (not optional in this recipe) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
3 very ripe bananas, frozen and peeled
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Flax Breakfast Muffins
In the blender combine:
1 c. ground flaxseed (I buy organic at Costco)
2 t. non-aluminum baking powder
1/2 c. honey (I know it's a lot but every bit is needed)
4 eggs
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
Blend on "Batter" setting or blend until very smooth.
Add 1/2 cup of raisins and stir.
Pour into greased muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. They should be light and spongy and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Variation: Omit raisins, pour batter into greased muffin cups, press in blueberries into the batter in each muffin cup (approximately 1/2 c.).
Pancakes (we now double this recipe)
8 eggs
1/2 c. coconut flour (I used to buy this at Costco, but it's no longer available, so I purchase Nutiva brand from Azure Standard)
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
2 T. honey
1/2 c. applesauce (organic homemade or organic purchased from Costco)
Serve with peanut butter and honey
Heat griddle. Mix ingredients. Set batter for 5 minutes (allows the coconut flour to absorb the liquid and makes the cakes fluffier). Pour 1/4 c. batter per pancake. Sspread thin. Cook until golden before flipping, approximately 3 minutes each side. We like to heat the honey to make it more syrup-like.
Peanut Butter Muffins (we now double this recipe)
1 c. Adams peanut butter
2 bananas* or 2/3 c. applesauce *
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla (optional)
2 T. honey
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. raisins or 1/2 c. blueberries**
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees if using bananas, 375 degrees if using applesauce. Mix all ingredients in a bowl (except blueberries...if using blueberries, fold into batter after batter is poured into greased muffin cups to avoid grey looking muffins). Pour batter into greased muffin cups and add blueberries if desired. Bake 15 - 25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly pressed.
Peanut Butter Muffin Variations:
Banana Nut: Use 2 bananas, omit applesauce, add 1/4 c. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are our favorites), pinch nutmeg, pinch allspice, 1/4 t. cinnamon.
Orange Spice: Omit bananas, use 2/3 c. applesauce, pinch ginger, pinch nutmeg, pinch allspice, 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/2-1 t. zested orange peel, 1-5 drops essential oil Wild Orange, substitute 1/2 c. dried cranberries for raisins (optional...the raisins are also delicious in this variation).
Waffles
Syrup:
1/4 c. water
2 c. berries
2 T. honey
pinch cinnamon
1 t. vanilla (optional)
Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan on medium-low heat.
Waffles: (we now double this recipe)
1/2 c. softened coconut oil
1/2 c. coconut flour
12 eggs
1/4 c. honey
1/2 t. salt
Preheat waffle iron greased generously with coconut oil or butter. Mix all ingredients. Allow to rest 5 minutes. Evenly distribute batter over iron and cook 3-4 minutes or until golden. These are VERY tough if over cooked.
Crepes(we now double this recipe and we're still lucky if Mom and Dad get any)
3 c. applesauce
1 c. blueberries
12 eggs
1/4 c. coconut flour
1/8 t. salt
2 T. coconut oil
coconut oil or butter for greasing cooking pan
Warm applesauce in saucepan. Set blueberries out to thaw in a bowl if frozen.
Blend remaining ingredients in the blender until well incorporated. Let sit 5 minutes.
Heat oil in pan (a 10" skillet works best). Pour 1/4 c. batter into pan on HOT oil. Tilt the pan to thinly spread batter. Cook until lightly brown and removes easily from skillet. flip gently and cook other side until golden. These should be flexible and easily rolled when finished cooking. If they are crispy they are spread too thin or cooked too long. Spread warmed applesauce and blueberries down the center of the finished crepe, roll and enjoy!
Seed Porridge
Warning: this is NOT very tasty but is a good GAPS option. We make it for Parker and the twins. No one else likes it.
2 c. water or coconut milk (more may need to be added to blend or for desired texture)
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds (these are the raw green meat in the center of the seed, not the toasted kind)
1/2 c. sunflower seeds (same here...these are the raw gray meat in the center of the seed, not the toasted kind)
1/4 c. flax seeds
1 t. cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
1/2 t. vanilla
1 T. honey
2 T. peanut butter or butter or ghee
raisins to taste
Blend all ingredients except raisins until a thick porridge-like texture and no chunks of seeds are visible. Warm with raisins at a very low temperature until temperature desired is achieved. This mixture scalds fairly easily.
The porridge is also a great place to hide supplements.
GAPS Granola
Internal Bliss official GAPS cookbook
Make this the night before.
1 c. pumpkin seeds (again, the green meat)
1 c. sunflower seeds (inner meat)
1 c. unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 c. honey, warmed
pinch of salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 T. vanilla extract
1 c. dried fruit, any variety (cut up if large)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large jellyroll pan. Mix all ingredients, excluding dried fruit. Toss well. Spread on the greased jellyroll pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in dried fruit. Continue to stir every few minutes during the cooling process (if you don't it sticks like none other, speaking from experience). For granola seed BALLS, pack tightly together in balls during cooling stage. After it has cooled my kids prefer it after it has been dry pulsed in the blender for a finer texture and served with almond milk. For storage, keep in an airtight container at room temperature.
Hope these help!
I've maintained a rotating menu of breakfasts and shakes and I still have the menu and recipes inside the cabinet door where breakfast is prepared for fast and easy reference. However, the babies are now eating scrambled eggs with the rest of us and I've swapped out a couple of recipes.
UPDATED MENU (April 22, 2015):
Monday: 16 scrambled eggs, berry shakes
Tuesday: flax seed muffins, peanut butter shakes
Wednesday: pancakes, peanut butter & honey, chocolate shakes
Thursday: peanut butter muffins, berry shakes
Friday: waffles, berry syrup, peanut butter shakes
Saturday: crepes, applesauce, blueberries, berry shakes
Sunday: seed porridge or GAPS granola with almond milk or soaked oatmeal (oatmeal is only tolerated by Dad, Mom, and our oldest daughter, so the three younger usually get the seed porridge)
RECIPES
The shakes below each contain similar ingredients, and the similar ingredients all have nutritional benefits. The raw apple cider vinegar provides the stomach with acid for proper digestion. The flax seed and chia seeds create a psyllium husk that is fiberous and gel-like when ground and combined with fluid (water). It aids in the elimination of digestive waste (aka 'helps with constipation'). This part has been a great help for Parker and Gavin both. Organic carrots have naturally occurring digestive enzymes (as does celery, if you can handle the taste in your shake), and are sweeter than standard commercial grown carrots with pesticides. The banana is just for texture and sweetener. Organic beets are great for everything...gall bladder, blood issues, digestion, adrenal fatigue, etc. Spinach is loaded with vitamins and LIFE.
Since there are so many digestive aids in these shakes, you may want to go easy on them at first and slowly increase you intake or risk diarrhea. Also, these shakes can't be blended ahead more than 24 hours. They go rancid quickly and taste best with the most benefits when consumed within 30 minutes of blending. If you want to assemble the ingredients ahead of time, I would recommend putting the measured whole ingredients together in a bag, exluding the seeds (the seeds just stick to the bag and moisture from the vegetables make them 'gel').
Shakes are a great place to hide supplements for the littles, too. We take apart the enzyme capsules and probiotic capsules and put the powder with the fish oil in individual shakes (after the shakes are blended) in a smaller portion to make sure they get what they need. After the kids drink their entire portion with their supplements they can have more.
Berry Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco or Costco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco or Costco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
1 cup berries (I buy organic at Costco)
1 Tablespoon honey (optional) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
1 very ripe banana, frozen and peeled
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco and often freeze it in the package it comes in without doing anything special to it...I add it just like I would if it were fresh)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Peanut Butter Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
1 Tablespoon honey (optional) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
3 very ripe bananas, frozen and peeled or 1 banana, 1 cup berries for a PB & J flavor
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
1/4 cup peanut butter (I use Adams brand)(Camber said that nut oils help your stomach create bile necessary for digestion, so there's an added benefit to this shake)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Shakes
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar (I buy at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons flax seed (I buy at Winco)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds (I buy at Winco)
1 carrot (I buy organic at Costco)
2 Tablespoons honey (not optional in this recipe) (I buy raw local at the Honey Store)
2 Tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
3 very ripe bananas, frozen and peeled
1 beet, cooked and cooled (I buy these organic and already cooked at Costco in the refrigerated vegetable section)
spinach (I buy fresh organic at Costco)
Put all the ingredients except the spinach in a 4 or 5 cup blender. Fill the remaining head space in the blender with the spinach and blend until smooth.
Flax Breakfast Muffins
In the blender combine:
1 c. ground flaxseed (I buy organic at Costco)
2 t. non-aluminum baking powder
1/2 c. honey (I know it's a lot but every bit is needed)
4 eggs
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
Blend on "Batter" setting or blend until very smooth.
Add 1/2 cup of raisins and stir.
Pour into greased muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. They should be light and spongy and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Variation: Omit raisins, pour batter into greased muffin cups, press in blueberries into the batter in each muffin cup (approximately 1/2 c.).
Pancakes (we now double this recipe)
8 eggs
1/2 c. coconut flour (I used to buy this at Costco, but it's no longer available, so I purchase Nutiva brand from Azure Standard)
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
2 T. honey
1/2 c. applesauce (organic homemade or organic purchased from Costco)
Serve with peanut butter and honey
Heat griddle. Mix ingredients. Set batter for 5 minutes (allows the coconut flour to absorb the liquid and makes the cakes fluffier). Pour 1/4 c. batter per pancake. Sspread thin. Cook until golden before flipping, approximately 3 minutes each side. We like to heat the honey to make it more syrup-like.
Peanut Butter Muffins (we now double this recipe)
1 c. Adams peanut butter
2 bananas* or 2/3 c. applesauce *
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla (optional)
2 T. honey
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. raisins or 1/2 c. blueberries**
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees if using bananas, 375 degrees if using applesauce. Mix all ingredients in a bowl (except blueberries...if using blueberries, fold into batter after batter is poured into greased muffin cups to avoid grey looking muffins). Pour batter into greased muffin cups and add blueberries if desired. Bake 15 - 25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly pressed.
Peanut Butter Muffin Variations:
Banana Nut: Use 2 bananas, omit applesauce, add 1/4 c. chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are our favorites), pinch nutmeg, pinch allspice, 1/4 t. cinnamon.
Orange Spice: Omit bananas, use 2/3 c. applesauce, pinch ginger, pinch nutmeg, pinch allspice, 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/2-1 t. zested orange peel, 1-5 drops essential oil Wild Orange, substitute 1/2 c. dried cranberries for raisins (optional...the raisins are also delicious in this variation).
Waffles
Syrup:
1/4 c. water
2 c. berries
2 T. honey
pinch cinnamon
1 t. vanilla (optional)
Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan on medium-low heat.
Waffles: (we now double this recipe)
1/2 c. softened coconut oil
1/2 c. coconut flour
12 eggs
1/4 c. honey
1/2 t. salt
Preheat waffle iron greased generously with coconut oil or butter. Mix all ingredients. Allow to rest 5 minutes. Evenly distribute batter over iron and cook 3-4 minutes or until golden. These are VERY tough if over cooked.
Crepes(we now double this recipe and we're still lucky if Mom and Dad get any)
3 c. applesauce
1 c. blueberries
12 eggs
1/4 c. coconut flour
1/8 t. salt
2 T. coconut oil
coconut oil or butter for greasing cooking pan
Warm applesauce in saucepan. Set blueberries out to thaw in a bowl if frozen.
Blend remaining ingredients in the blender until well incorporated. Let sit 5 minutes.
Heat oil in pan (a 10" skillet works best). Pour 1/4 c. batter into pan on HOT oil. Tilt the pan to thinly spread batter. Cook until lightly brown and removes easily from skillet. flip gently and cook other side until golden. These should be flexible and easily rolled when finished cooking. If they are crispy they are spread too thin or cooked too long. Spread warmed applesauce and blueberries down the center of the finished crepe, roll and enjoy!
Seed Porridge
Warning: this is NOT very tasty but is a good GAPS option. We make it for Parker and the twins. No one else likes it.
2 c. water or coconut milk (more may need to be added to blend or for desired texture)
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds (these are the raw green meat in the center of the seed, not the toasted kind)
1/2 c. sunflower seeds (same here...these are the raw gray meat in the center of the seed, not the toasted kind)
1/4 c. flax seeds
1 t. cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
1/2 t. vanilla
1 T. honey
2 T. peanut butter or butter or ghee
raisins to taste
Blend all ingredients except raisins until a thick porridge-like texture and no chunks of seeds are visible. Warm with raisins at a very low temperature until temperature desired is achieved. This mixture scalds fairly easily.
The porridge is also a great place to hide supplements.
GAPS Granola
Internal Bliss official GAPS cookbook
Make this the night before.
1 c. pumpkin seeds (again, the green meat)
1 c. sunflower seeds (inner meat)
1 c. unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 c. honey, warmed
pinch of salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 T. vanilla extract
1 c. dried fruit, any variety (cut up if large)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large jellyroll pan. Mix all ingredients, excluding dried fruit. Toss well. Spread on the greased jellyroll pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in dried fruit. Continue to stir every few minutes during the cooling process (if you don't it sticks like none other, speaking from experience). For granola seed BALLS, pack tightly together in balls during cooling stage. After it has cooled my kids prefer it after it has been dry pulsed in the blender for a finer texture and served with almond milk. For storage, keep in an airtight container at room temperature.
Hope these help!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Home Health Remedies that work for us
Pink Eye- 1:1 ratio of homogenized milk and honey. Warm 1/2 teaspoon honey in a glass bowl until warm and a thin liquid consistency. Add milk and stir until thoroughly blended. If the milk curdles and can't be thoroughly blended, throw it out and try again. Once a good thorough blend is achieved, use a sterile spoon (fresh from the dishwasher or boiled) and drip some of the mixture on the inside of the wrist for a temperature test. It should feel neither warm, nor cold. If it is too warm but the milk hasn't curdled, re-test in one minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached. If the mixture is too cold, return it to the oven in the glass bowl in one minute increments and re-test at each interval until the desired temperature is reached. Drip mixture into each eye, one drop at a time. Massage the closed eye gently after each drop until the sting is gone. Repeat two more times for a total of three drops in each eye, three times daily. Check progress by pulling down the lower eyelid to gauge the inflammation of the tissue. Continue treatment one full day after inflammation appears to be completely gone. Check progress before treatment because the treatment causes brief irritation of the eye that can appear to be inflammation. Treatment is generally 3 days, but can be longer if the condition of the eye is really bad. "Eye boogers" or "gunk" bubbling up during or after treatment is normal and a good sign that the treatment is working and ridding the eye of infection.
Viral Sicknesses (Flu, colds, etc.): FLU BOMB- 4 drops lemon Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops oregano Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops on-guard Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops melelueca Do-Terra essential oil. Mix in a roller-ball dispenser and apply sparingly to bottoms of feet and behind ears. Irritation may occur if used too frequently for a long period of time. Can be diluted by rubbing olive oil or coconut oil on the bottoms of the feet and behind the ear before application of the essential oil mixture. Check warning labels for each essential oil before using on young children, infants, and the elderly.
Persistent coughs/ runny noses- Runny noses can be caused by dry nasal passages caused by weather or wood burning stoves or allergies. The body creates undesirable fluid to moisten the nose resulting in a runny nose. Persistent coughs are often caused by the undesirable fluid traveling down the back of the throat resulting in the desire to cough. If not cared for the undesirable fluid can progress to nasal infections and even pneumonia or bronchitis as it can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Simply wiping the inside of the nostril with extra virgin olive oil on a well-saturated cotton swab is an easy and inexpensive remedy. It can be repeated as often as necessary without any negative side effects and is perfectly safe for infants. Make sure to swab only immediately inside the nostril and not into the nasal cavity. Make sure the oil is only making contact with the skin inside the nostril and not dripping into the nasal cavity. If nasal or cough discharge is yellow or greenish in color, infection has begun to settle in and is too far advanced for this to remedy the cough or runny nose by itself.
Chest coughs- Mullein tea. Crush the leaves of dried mullein (found at the nearest health food store if not found in your backyard...it's more common than you think). Boil 8 oz. water. Remove from heat. Add 1-2 Tablespoons crushed, dried mullein leaves. Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Add lemon (detoxifying and tasty), raw honey (soothing, tasty, anti-bacterial), ginger, cinnamon to taste. If you don't have any of the extras the mullein is still effective on its own.
Viral Sicknesses (Flu, colds, etc.): FLU BOMB- 4 drops lemon Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops oregano Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops on-guard Do-Terra essential oil, 2 drops melelueca Do-Terra essential oil. Mix in a roller-ball dispenser and apply sparingly to bottoms of feet and behind ears. Irritation may occur if used too frequently for a long period of time. Can be diluted by rubbing olive oil or coconut oil on the bottoms of the feet and behind the ear before application of the essential oil mixture. Check warning labels for each essential oil before using on young children, infants, and the elderly.
Persistent coughs/ runny noses- Runny noses can be caused by dry nasal passages caused by weather or wood burning stoves or allergies. The body creates undesirable fluid to moisten the nose resulting in a runny nose. Persistent coughs are often caused by the undesirable fluid traveling down the back of the throat resulting in the desire to cough. If not cared for the undesirable fluid can progress to nasal infections and even pneumonia or bronchitis as it can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Simply wiping the inside of the nostril with extra virgin olive oil on a well-saturated cotton swab is an easy and inexpensive remedy. It can be repeated as often as necessary without any negative side effects and is perfectly safe for infants. Make sure to swab only immediately inside the nostril and not into the nasal cavity. Make sure the oil is only making contact with the skin inside the nostril and not dripping into the nasal cavity. If nasal or cough discharge is yellow or greenish in color, infection has begun to settle in and is too far advanced for this to remedy the cough or runny nose by itself.
Chest coughs- Mullein tea. Crush the leaves of dried mullein (found at the nearest health food store if not found in your backyard...it's more common than you think). Boil 8 oz. water. Remove from heat. Add 1-2 Tablespoons crushed, dried mullein leaves. Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Add lemon (detoxifying and tasty), raw honey (soothing, tasty, anti-bacterial), ginger, cinnamon to taste. If you don't have any of the extras the mullein is still effective on its own.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Inspirational Parenting Quotes
Quotes I find inspirational as a parent:
"Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions not retribution." L.R. Knost
"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice." Peggy O'Mara
"It is vital that our children know that they are loved and safe at home." Quentin L. Cook
"Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work." CS Lewis
"He who gives money
GIVES MUCH;
he who gives time
GIVES MORE;
he who gives of himself
GIVES ALL." President Thomas S. Monson
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." President David O. McKay
"The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes." President Harold B. Lee
"We call upon the women of the Church to stand together for righteousness. They must begin in their own home. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities. They must be the teachers and the guardians of their daughters. Those daughters must be taught in the Primary and in the classes of the Young Women of the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you save a girl, you save generations. She will grow in strength and righteousness. She will marry in the house of the Lord. She will teach her children the ways of truth. They will walk in her paths and will similarly teach their children." President Gordon B. Hinckley
"Mothers in Zion, your God-given roles are so vital to your own exaltation and to the salvation and exaltation of your family. A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy. Spending time with your children is the greatest gift of all." Ezra Taft Benson
"A child spells love T-I-M-E."
"Whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family-now and in the future." (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and work of Relief Society)
"Please excuse this mess, we're busy making memories."
"This house is clean enough to be healthy, messy enough to be happy."
"Never chooose house over hearts." Lisa Jacobson
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." Thomas S. Monson
"The best way to make children be good is to make them happy." Oscar Wilde
"The goal is not to have your child outwardly conform to your standards, but rather to be changed from the inside out." Mary Ellen Imperfect Homemaking
When your child is acting out in public, ask yourself these 6 questions (from The Purposeful Mom blog):
"Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions not retribution." L.R. Knost
"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice." Peggy O'Mara
"It is vital that our children know that they are loved and safe at home." Quentin L. Cook
"Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work." CS Lewis
"He who gives money
GIVES MUCH;
he who gives time
GIVES MORE;
he who gives of himself
GIVES ALL." President Thomas S. Monson
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." President David O. McKay
"The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes." President Harold B. Lee
"We call upon the women of the Church to stand together for righteousness. They must begin in their own home. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities. They must be the teachers and the guardians of their daughters. Those daughters must be taught in the Primary and in the classes of the Young Women of the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you save a girl, you save generations. She will grow in strength and righteousness. She will marry in the house of the Lord. She will teach her children the ways of truth. They will walk in her paths and will similarly teach their children." President Gordon B. Hinckley
"Mothers in Zion, your God-given roles are so vital to your own exaltation and to the salvation and exaltation of your family. A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy. Spending time with your children is the greatest gift of all." Ezra Taft Benson
"A child spells love T-I-M-E."
"Whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family-now and in the future." (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and work of Relief Society)
"Please excuse this mess, we're busy making memories."
"This house is clean enough to be healthy, messy enough to be happy."
"Never chooose house over hearts." Lisa Jacobson
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." Thomas S. Monson
"The best way to make children be good is to make them happy." Oscar Wilde
"The goal is not to have your child outwardly conform to your standards, but rather to be changed from the inside out." Mary Ellen Imperfect Homemaking
When your child is acting out in public, ask yourself these 6 questions (from The Purposeful Mom blog):
- Am I consistent in my teaching/discipline at home before we go out in public?
- Am I preparing my child for wherever we’re going so they know what’s expected of them before we get there?
- Is my child tired, hungry, needing some time just to sit by mom and get control or in need of discipline?
- Have I planned for how I’m going to handle things if they get out of control? Or even if we’re just encountering an embarrassing situation?
- Am I overreacting because I’m afraid of another mom judging my mothering skills?
- Is my child really doing something foolish? Or just being childish and silly {isn’t morally wrong or bringing harm to anyone}?
Sunday School Teaching Helps
Use:
- Missionary stories and real life experiences
- Conference Addresses
- Scripture References
- Preach My Gospel
- "deep thoughts"/ conversation starters
- topic cards for study circles
Give:
- Teaching/ study assignments for students
- Weekly challenges
- Interactive journals
- Take home quotes
Make it interesting by:
- Making two people 'companions' for studying (like missionaries)
- Split into groups by dividing the class with an imaginary line, dividing by counting off (1-2-1-2) and grouping the ones together and the twos together (or count off by 3's if 3 groups are needed)
- Playing a game that challenges them to understand the topic better, contribute to the lesson, or apply the principle.
- Rearranging the seating
- Use "groups" or "companions" to study a portion of the lesson during class time and share what they have learned with the rest of the class.
Sunday School Lesson February 2015 "Why is learning an important part of Heavenly Father's plan?"
This ended up being a two part lesson as well. I get such fantastic input from the kids that I'm often not able to get through everything I've prepared. Sometimes this is fine, other times I feel like they need the other stuff I have prepared, so I continue on with it. That was certainly the case this time, since learning is why we are here on earth and it's also why we come to Sunday School!
After opening with prayer and reviewing how we recognized Heavenly Father's hand this past week, I asked the question, "Why is LEARNING an important part of Heavenly Father's plan? I got very little response, so we moved right into reading the scriptures found in 2 Nehpi 28:27-30, and then D&C 98:1-12. I asked what was common between those scriptures that were read, and the response was that we learn precept on precept. We discussed what that means (learning a little at a time). I used the analogies of teaching a Kindergarner trigonometry vs. an adult with only very basic math skills vs. a college student or high school student with advanced math skills. We talked about age and mental capacity, then about the learning required and the understanding required to be able to learn that harder information and to know how to apply it.
I then asked, "Who can tell me what the plan of salvation is?" I got TONS of partially correct answers..bits and pieces of what the plan of salvation is. I asked, "Why do you think you are learning about the plan of salvation today when most of you have probably heard about it all your lives?" A couple of answers were because we could learn more about it, and because we needed to be reminded of things. Both were great answers.
I had previously printed "Plan of Salvation" from True to the Faith and inserted it into their journals, so I had them all turn to that. I separated the 10 kids that were in attendance into 3 groups and had them study together for 10 minutes (I set a timer), with the assignment to find things they hadn't known before (as individuals). I then gave them 10 more minutes (set the timer again) to study as individuals and continue writing down things they may not have known before or that someone else might find interesting that wanted to know more about the plan of salvation. I gave them strips of paper to write questions on that they now had the answers to (i.e. Q. What are the three basic parts of the plan of salvation?)
We ran out of time just a few minutes into the question writing.
The following Sunday I was released as a Sunday School teacher and called as 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency, so the last half of this lesson was my final lesson for this class.
We jumped right back into writing questions from the print out with the timer set for 10 minutes. I asked the question again, "Why is LEARNING such an important part of Heavenly Father's plan?" We took a couple minutes to discuss that, and I got more input than the first time I asked that question. I had written a few bullet points up on the board of other things we had already discussed and went over each one and it's importance in the learning process. These bullets included inviting the Holy Ghost to accompany us to help us to learn, to listen, talk, learn during class, to record feelings and impressions, to record those feelings and impressions in ACTION FORM (we used examples to help us understand what this means), to JUST DO IT, and to share. We talked about how they could use their journals now that I'm not their teacher, and I encouraged them to continuing using them to follow those steps of learning.
I had drawn a grid of dots on the board while they were writing their questions, and I gathered all the questions they had written. I only had three boys and three girls this week, so I had a girls team and a boys team. I would read a question and the first one to raise their hand got to answer the question. We discussed before we started how an answer could be acceptable even if it wasn't the exact one and that I would make that call. I ended up having to have all the kids scoot closer to the middle because I couldn't always see the kids raise their hands that were seated to my far right and far left. We also had to come up with a rule that if a hand raised in the middle of my asking the question I had to stop reading and they had to answer the question from what I had already read (some of the kids would just raise their hand so they would have the first opportunity to answer not necessarily because they had the answer first). The first one to raise their hand AND answer correctly got to write a line from one dot to another to try to make a square. If a square was made the boys put a "B" in the square and the girls put a "G," and another line was made. If a square wasn't made, just one line was drawn. We said a closing prayer at the first bell and kept playing until the 2nd bell rang. It was a ton of fun.
Loved my class and I'll miss them. My next posts will probably be about Primary sharing time!
After opening with prayer and reviewing how we recognized Heavenly Father's hand this past week, I asked the question, "Why is LEARNING an important part of Heavenly Father's plan? I got very little response, so we moved right into reading the scriptures found in 2 Nehpi 28:27-30, and then D&C 98:1-12. I asked what was common between those scriptures that were read, and the response was that we learn precept on precept. We discussed what that means (learning a little at a time). I used the analogies of teaching a Kindergarner trigonometry vs. an adult with only very basic math skills vs. a college student or high school student with advanced math skills. We talked about age and mental capacity, then about the learning required and the understanding required to be able to learn that harder information and to know how to apply it.
I then asked, "Who can tell me what the plan of salvation is?" I got TONS of partially correct answers..bits and pieces of what the plan of salvation is. I asked, "Why do you think you are learning about the plan of salvation today when most of you have probably heard about it all your lives?" A couple of answers were because we could learn more about it, and because we needed to be reminded of things. Both were great answers.
I had previously printed "Plan of Salvation" from True to the Faith and inserted it into their journals, so I had them all turn to that. I separated the 10 kids that were in attendance into 3 groups and had them study together for 10 minutes (I set a timer), with the assignment to find things they hadn't known before (as individuals). I then gave them 10 more minutes (set the timer again) to study as individuals and continue writing down things they may not have known before or that someone else might find interesting that wanted to know more about the plan of salvation. I gave them strips of paper to write questions on that they now had the answers to (i.e. Q. What are the three basic parts of the plan of salvation?)
We ran out of time just a few minutes into the question writing.
The following Sunday I was released as a Sunday School teacher and called as 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency, so the last half of this lesson was my final lesson for this class.
We jumped right back into writing questions from the print out with the timer set for 10 minutes. I asked the question again, "Why is LEARNING such an important part of Heavenly Father's plan?" We took a couple minutes to discuss that, and I got more input than the first time I asked that question. I had written a few bullet points up on the board of other things we had already discussed and went over each one and it's importance in the learning process. These bullets included inviting the Holy Ghost to accompany us to help us to learn, to listen, talk, learn during class, to record feelings and impressions, to record those feelings and impressions in ACTION FORM (we used examples to help us understand what this means), to JUST DO IT, and to share. We talked about how they could use their journals now that I'm not their teacher, and I encouraged them to continuing using them to follow those steps of learning.
I had drawn a grid of dots on the board while they were writing their questions, and I gathered all the questions they had written. I only had three boys and three girls this week, so I had a girls team and a boys team. I would read a question and the first one to raise their hand got to answer the question. We discussed before we started how an answer could be acceptable even if it wasn't the exact one and that I would make that call. I ended up having to have all the kids scoot closer to the middle because I couldn't always see the kids raise their hands that were seated to my far right and far left. We also had to come up with a rule that if a hand raised in the middle of my asking the question I had to stop reading and they had to answer the question from what I had already read (some of the kids would just raise their hand so they would have the first opportunity to answer not necessarily because they had the answer first). The first one to raise their hand AND answer correctly got to write a line from one dot to another to try to make a square. If a square was made the boys put a "B" in the square and the girls put a "G," and another line was made. If a square wasn't made, just one line was drawn. We said a closing prayer at the first bell and kept playing until the 2nd bell rang. It was a ton of fun.
Loved my class and I'll miss them. My next posts will probably be about Primary sharing time!
Sunday School Lesson January 2015 How can I learn to see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?
This was a fun one!
After opening with a class prayer, we talked about what a tender mercy is. I recounted Pres. Eyring's experience of writing DAILY circumstances or things where he recognized Heavenly Father's hand in his life or around him that day.
I then asked the question, "What might prevent you from recognizing Heavenly Father's influence in your life?" Some of the answers were 'being over scheduled," "distractions," "pride," "being focused on yourself," and "attributing good things to luck."
We talked about how learning to recognize His influence could bless them now. Blessings included: being grateful/ happy, recognizing the good instead of focusing on the bad, humility. Then we talked about how it could bless them in the future and how these same blessings could snowball into a happier self and a happier life. I offered suggestions, but there was quite a bit of input from the kids of different scenarios of application.
I shared an experience of when I noticed Heavenly Father's hand in my life, then I invited the kids to share experiences or areas where they notice Heavenly Father's hand. One girl recounted when she lost an earring she had just received for her birthday. She lost it on the way to school, looked for it briefly, couldn't find it but didn't have time right then to search further. She looked again on her way home from school, still couldn't find it, so she prayed. She found it and recognized His hand. Another girl shared how her grandpa was really sick and that she could tell it was worrying her dad. Everyone was already praying for her grandpa, but she also prayed for her dad and she felt that he found peace to get through her grandpa getting sick. A new convert shared how he has seen Heavenly Father's hand in his family as they have found the gospel (he is super shy so it was extra AWESOME to hear his experience even though he didn't elaborate very much).
I gave them all three minutes to write as many things as they could in their journals where they could see Heavenly Father's hand in their lives and around them. Then we blew up a balloon and I had paper plate paddles (a paper plate with a large popsicle stick/ depression stick taped to it for a handle, and the outline of a hand on the paper plate representing Heavenly Father's hand). I counted off 1-2-1-2 through all the kids and all the ones were on the left, all the twos were on the right, chairs and bags were scooted to the edge of the wall and all the kids stood up in a line, shoulder to shoulder. We did a practice run where the balloon had to be kept up in the air by hitting it with the paddle and the paddle passed to the next teammate before the balloon dropped so the teammate could hit the balloon to keep it in the air. The real challenge was that when the game really started they had to do this same thing but call out one of the things on their list of where they have seen Heavenly Father's hand in their lives before they got to hit the balloon. If the balloon fell, if they repeated something that had already been said, or if they couldn't remember anything to say, the other team received a point. It was a low scoring game because they all did really well, but the kids enjoyed it.
I challenged them to write something down each day for the following week of things that were His doing that blessed them. It was a really fun lesson for everyone. Remembering our blessings always is.
After opening with a class prayer, we talked about what a tender mercy is. I recounted Pres. Eyring's experience of writing DAILY circumstances or things where he recognized Heavenly Father's hand in his life or around him that day.
I then asked the question, "What might prevent you from recognizing Heavenly Father's influence in your life?" Some of the answers were 'being over scheduled," "distractions," "pride," "being focused on yourself," and "attributing good things to luck."
We talked about how learning to recognize His influence could bless them now. Blessings included: being grateful/ happy, recognizing the good instead of focusing on the bad, humility. Then we talked about how it could bless them in the future and how these same blessings could snowball into a happier self and a happier life. I offered suggestions, but there was quite a bit of input from the kids of different scenarios of application.
I shared an experience of when I noticed Heavenly Father's hand in my life, then I invited the kids to share experiences or areas where they notice Heavenly Father's hand. One girl recounted when she lost an earring she had just received for her birthday. She lost it on the way to school, looked for it briefly, couldn't find it but didn't have time right then to search further. She looked again on her way home from school, still couldn't find it, so she prayed. She found it and recognized His hand. Another girl shared how her grandpa was really sick and that she could tell it was worrying her dad. Everyone was already praying for her grandpa, but she also prayed for her dad and she felt that he found peace to get through her grandpa getting sick. A new convert shared how he has seen Heavenly Father's hand in his family as they have found the gospel (he is super shy so it was extra AWESOME to hear his experience even though he didn't elaborate very much).
I gave them all three minutes to write as many things as they could in their journals where they could see Heavenly Father's hand in their lives and around them. Then we blew up a balloon and I had paper plate paddles (a paper plate with a large popsicle stick/ depression stick taped to it for a handle, and the outline of a hand on the paper plate representing Heavenly Father's hand). I counted off 1-2-1-2 through all the kids and all the ones were on the left, all the twos were on the right, chairs and bags were scooted to the edge of the wall and all the kids stood up in a line, shoulder to shoulder. We did a practice run where the balloon had to be kept up in the air by hitting it with the paddle and the paddle passed to the next teammate before the balloon dropped so the teammate could hit the balloon to keep it in the air. The real challenge was that when the game really started they had to do this same thing but call out one of the things on their list of where they have seen Heavenly Father's hand in their lives before they got to hit the balloon. If the balloon fell, if they repeated something that had already been said, or if they couldn't remember anything to say, the other team received a point. It was a low scoring game because they all did really well, but the kids enjoyed it.
I challenged them to write something down each day for the following week of things that were His doing that blessed them. It was a really fun lesson for everyone. Remembering our blessings always is.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sunday School Lesson January 2015 "How does the Holy Ghost help me learn?"
"How does the Holy Ghost help me learn?"
Ideas: from the Redheaded Hostess
While her ideas seemed great while reading them, after I read them and tried to think from a 13 year old perspective, I think I would have a hard time matching any one of the items to the things she had chosen. Not that I did any better when trying to come up with objects to demonstrate the roles of the Holy Ghost. So I decided to look at this lesson from my own perspective. I ended up delivering this in two lessons.
Part I:
I opened class (after prayer) with a "Getting to Know You" game called "Two Truths and a Lie". Each youth writes down two things that are true about themselves and one lie, then hands it back to me. Then I read them and everyone has to guess who it is. I learn something about everyone while everyone has fun. All these kids have grown up with each other for quite sometimes so it was extra fun.
I began the lesson with reading this somewhat revised paragraph from the LDS Youth Sunday School Lesson site:
"This months lessons are focused on helping you learn how to strengthen your faith in the members of the Godhead as you study the scriptures and share your testimony with others. You will gain experience following the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your efforts to learn and teach the gospel. Please, ask questions about what you are learning, seek to learn more, and share what you discover."
I asked the youth to think of when a sacrament meeting was boring. I then asked them to think of a time they felt the Holy Ghost during a meeting.
We followed by reading D&C 88:118 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."
We likened this scripture to teaching/ learning at church from the scriptures and church literature, then I read a quote by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom: "As we come to each meeting prepared 'to seek learning, even by study and also by faith," the Holy Spirit will be our teacher. If we come to be entertained, we often will be disappointed. President Spencer W. Kimball was once asked, "What do you do when you find yourself in a boring sacrament meeting?" His response:"I don't know. I've never been in one."
I asked them to think again of when a sacrament meeting was boring. What happened in their morning, day, week, prior to the meeting? Had they spiritually prepared to learn or be taught by the Spirit?
I then asked them to think again of when they felt the Holy Ghost during a sacrament meeting. What happened in their morning, day, week, prior to the meeting? Had they spiritually prepared to learn or be taught by the Spirit?
I shared the statement: Come prepared to be taught by the Holy Ghost! You will enjoy sacrament and your classes so much more and so will your teachers!
We read this excerpt from "Receiving the Spirit" that I had printed in a note taking format:
I then wrote on the board:
After we read this I realized I forgot to open the lesson with a prayer, so I pointed out the best way to learn was to invite the Holy Ghost with prayer, and asked for a volunteer for prayer =). I didn't do it on purpose, but it fit right in.
Then we continued with a different class member reading...
Scripture
Study
What
is the Holy Ghost’s role in helping us learn the gospel?
Ideas: from the Redheaded Hostess
While her ideas seemed great while reading them, after I read them and tried to think from a 13 year old perspective, I think I would have a hard time matching any one of the items to the things she had chosen. Not that I did any better when trying to come up with objects to demonstrate the roles of the Holy Ghost. So I decided to look at this lesson from my own perspective. I ended up delivering this in two lessons.
Part I:
I opened class (after prayer) with a "Getting to Know You" game called "Two Truths and a Lie". Each youth writes down two things that are true about themselves and one lie, then hands it back to me. Then I read them and everyone has to guess who it is. I learn something about everyone while everyone has fun. All these kids have grown up with each other for quite sometimes so it was extra fun.
I began the lesson with reading this somewhat revised paragraph from the LDS Youth Sunday School Lesson site:
"This months lessons are focused on helping you learn how to strengthen your faith in the members of the Godhead as you study the scriptures and share your testimony with others. You will gain experience following the guidance of the Holy Ghost in your efforts to learn and teach the gospel. Please, ask questions about what you are learning, seek to learn more, and share what you discover."
I asked the youth to think of when a sacrament meeting was boring. I then asked them to think of a time they felt the Holy Ghost during a meeting.
We followed by reading D&C 88:118 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."
We likened this scripture to teaching/ learning at church from the scriptures and church literature, then I read a quote by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom: "As we come to each meeting prepared 'to seek learning, even by study and also by faith," the Holy Spirit will be our teacher. If we come to be entertained, we often will be disappointed. President Spencer W. Kimball was once asked, "What do you do when you find yourself in a boring sacrament meeting?" His response:"I don't know. I've never been in one."
I asked them to think again of when a sacrament meeting was boring. What happened in their morning, day, week, prior to the meeting? Had they spiritually prepared to learn or be taught by the Spirit?
I then asked them to think again of when they felt the Holy Ghost during a sacrament meeting. What happened in their morning, day, week, prior to the meeting? Had they spiritually prepared to learn or be taught by the Spirit?
I shared the statement: Come prepared to be taught by the Holy Ghost! You will enjoy sacrament and your classes so much more and so will your teachers!
We read this excerpt from "Receiving the Spirit" that I had printed in a note taking format:
An Excerpt from “Receiving by
the Spirit”
by A. ROGER MERRILL
Sunday School General President
In our Church
meetings, in our personal and family scripture study, and
even this day as we listen to the Lord’s prophets and apostles, some of us will
receive more than others. Why? I am learning that those who truly receive do at
least three things that others may not do.
First, they seek. We live in an
entertainment world, a spectator world. Without realizing it, we can find
ourselves coming to conference or going to church with the attitude, “Here I
am; now inspire me.” We become spiritually passive.
When we focus instead
on seeking and receiving the Spirit, we become less concerned about a teacher
or speaker holding our attention and more concerned about giving our attention
to the Spirit. Remember, receive is a verb. It is a principle of action. It is a fundamental
expression of faith.
Second, those who
receive, feel. While revelation comes
to the mind and heart, it is most often felt. Until we learn to pay attention
to these spiritual feelings, we usually do not even recognize the Spirit.
Third, those who
receive by the Spirit intend to act. As the prophet Moroni instructed, to receive a witness of the Book
of Mormon, we must ask “with real intent” (Moroni 10:4). The Spirit teaches when we honestly intend to do something
about what we learn.
1. Seek-How can we seek?
- ask questions, write them down
- study the scriptures
- read other church literature (i.e. the New Era, Ensign, church history, etc.)
- be ready to learn
- pray for the Spirit
2. Feel-How can we recognize the Spirit?
- pay attention to how you feel
- recognize revelation that comes to mind and heart as coming from the Spirit
- record feelings and inspirations
- increase activities that help you feel the Spirit
- Pray
3. Intend to Act-What can we do to act upon what we are inspired to do?
- Record personal revelation or promptings or thoughts that come to your mind in action form
- Take notes
- Write an action plan and/or goals
- Pray
I've been wanting to do something with interactive Sunday School journals, and this lesson was the perfect way to introduce them. I still don't know the kids that well since this was only the second week I taught, so I took blank notebooks and handed them out. I had them write their name, address, phone number, favorite color, interests, and a scripture or scripture story or a hymn they especially love.
I then asked them if anyone had learned anything new today? Did anyone have any feelings or impressions? Did anyone want to share them? I then encouraged them to record those feelings and/or inspirations in their new 'journals.' I asked, "Do you understand how the Holy Ghost helps you learn?" "Does anyone have any additional questions?"
I had the youth return the notebooks to me with their notes taken on the excerpt from "Receiving by the Spirit." I intend to make a cute scrapbook-y cover individual to each notebook according to the information they wrote in them and will tape the excerpt into the notebook as an example for them so they can see how they can use their journals. I'll be handing the new and improved notebooks back to them at the beginning of the following week.
Part II:
I began by asking what the substitute teacher taught the previous week (my kids were sick and hubby had a meeting during second hour he couldn't miss, so I stayed home), then asked if anyone remembered what I had taught two weeks ago. No one could remember, but when I mentioned the Holy Ghost and gave a quick review there were lots of comments about the lesson, so I knew they didn't completely forget!
I handed out their completed journals, went through it with them and how they work and left it up to each individual as to whether they wanted to take it home or hand it in at the end of class each Sunday. I did say that if they took it home that I would expect them to bring it back each Sunday for class. It ended up being about half that took it home, and half that left theirs with me.
I then mentioned that we would be playing a game at then end that would test their note taking skills.
I asked a class member to read this first part of a print out I had put in their journals...
I then asked them if anyone had learned anything new today? Did anyone have any feelings or impressions? Did anyone want to share them? I then encouraged them to record those feelings and/or inspirations in their new 'journals.' I asked, "Do you understand how the Holy Ghost helps you learn?" "Does anyone have any additional questions?"
I had the youth return the notebooks to me with their notes taken on the excerpt from "Receiving by the Spirit." I intend to make a cute scrapbook-y cover individual to each notebook according to the information they wrote in them and will tape the excerpt into the notebook as an example for them so they can see how they can use their journals. I'll be handing the new and improved notebooks back to them at the beginning of the following week.
Part II:
I began by asking what the substitute teacher taught the previous week (my kids were sick and hubby had a meeting during second hour he couldn't miss, so I stayed home), then asked if anyone remembered what I had taught two weeks ago. No one could remember, but when I mentioned the Holy Ghost and gave a quick review there were lots of comments about the lesson, so I knew they didn't completely forget!
I handed out their completed journals, went through it with them and how they work and left it up to each individual as to whether they wanted to take it home or hand it in at the end of class each Sunday. I did say that if they took it home that I would expect them to bring it back each Sunday for class. It ended up being about half that took it home, and half that left theirs with me.
I then mentioned that we would be playing a game at then end that would test their note taking skills.
I asked a class member to read this first part of a print out I had put in their journals...
Your gospel study is most effective when you are taught by the
Holy Ghost. Always begin your gospel study by praying for the Holy Ghost to
help you learn. He will bring knowledge and conviction that will bless your
life and allow you to bless the lives of others. Your faith in Jesus Christ
will increase. Your desire to repent and improve will grow.
Then we continued with a different class member reading...
This kind of study prepares you for service, offers solace,
resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end. Successful
gospel study requires desire and action. “For he that diligently seeketh shall
find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the
Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old” (1 Nephi 10:19). Like Enos, as
you hunger to know the words of eternal life and as you allow these words to
“[sink] deep into [your] heart” (Enos 1:3), the Holy Ghost will open your mind and heart
to greater light and understanding.
Learning the gospel is also a process of receiving revelation
(see Jacob 4:8). To Oliver Cowdery the Lord
said: “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it
unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say
unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it
be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within
you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right” (D&C 9:7–8). As you study, pay careful
attention to ideas that come to your mind and feelings that come to your heart,
particularly regarding the people you are teaching.
We talked about how we have a role and the Holy Ghost has a role in teaching us. I invited them to read the following scriptures found at the bottom of their study guide in their journals and to call out different roles that either the Holy Ghost had or that we fulfilled in being taught by the Holy Ghost. As they read the scriptures I wrote the role labels they called out in two bubbles on the chalkboard, one for the Holy Ghost and one for us.
We talked about how we have a role and the Holy Ghost has a role in teaching us. I invited them to read the following scriptures found at the bottom of their study guide in their journals and to call out different roles that either the Holy Ghost had or that we fulfilled in being taught by the Holy Ghost. As they read the scriptures I wrote the role labels they called out in two bubbles on the chalkboard, one for the Holy Ghost and one for us.
Scripture
Study
What
is the Holy Ghost’s role in helping us learn the gospel?
·
1 Corinthians 2:9–14
After we had populated the bubbles, I then had them stand up and turn around so their backs were to the chalkboard, and I erased a couple of things from each bubble. I would have them turn back around and try to figure out what I erased. We did that until time for class ran out. Everyone participated really well throughout class (even some of the kids that hadn't during previous lessons), and I closed by bearing testimony, followed by a class member saying the closing prayer.
If I were to play this game again in the future, I would write down what I erased. After I would erase it, the kids would call out so many different things I sometimes forgot exactly what I had erased! They were forgiving, but in the future, writing it down would be a great solution.
After we had populated the bubbles, I then had them stand up and turn around so their backs were to the chalkboard, and I erased a couple of things from each bubble. I would have them turn back around and try to figure out what I erased. We did that until time for class ran out. Everyone participated really well throughout class (even some of the kids that hadn't during previous lessons), and I closed by bearing testimony, followed by a class member saying the closing prayer.
If I were to play this game again in the future, I would write down what I erased. After I would erase it, the kids would call out so many different things I sometimes forgot exactly what I had erased! They were forgiving, but in the future, writing it down would be a great solution.
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