tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19482502370521934832024-02-06T18:09:16.048-08:00Motherhood: Through The Lens...And Behind ItThis blog is about my life as a long time photographer, wife and now mother...and this lovely journey. Every journey is different, but whether you are a mother, trying to become one, or just a woman looking for changes, I hope that you may find inspiration through my eyes, words and actions. May the Lord bless your endeavors!sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-26900107480181393332017-02-08T09:13:00.000-08:002017-02-08T09:23:57.454-08:00WINTER LEARNING NOOK, BODIES AND STRANGERS OR TRICKY PEOPLE.Dear friends,<br />
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If you have followed my blog posts at all for a while, then you're probably familiar with the fact that I change my child's "Learning Nook" out every season for new indoor learning possibilities. I base my choices off of what I know about her interests and also put extra things in for her to try out. Even as a baby we began with many Montessori type things and had a Montessori nook for her for quite some time. She is an incredible child with incredible interests...including planets and the inner workings of the human body. Don't worry...she also has a huge imagination and loves fairy tales and everything else! However, we do take keen notice of these interests and I believe 100% in nurturing interests when they are present. Why wait until a certain age or grade to introduce something or to look into it further when the interest may not be there later? Do it while it's present! When there is a true interest in a child, it means that there is a small fire in them just waiting for extra fuel and flaming...we are the flames for our children and must find ways to fuel those interests.<br />
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The latest nook consists of a huge array of art options because that is a BIG thing for us in our home. I also noticed that before (last season), she was less likely to explore all of her art options unless she had a number of them right at her fingertips while she was sitting. I did realize after observing for a bit that it wasn't laziness, but that when she was ready to sit and create, she was in a zone and just wanted to be able to move as little as possible to complete her task. Sooooo...we attached hooks to her table and I picked up little buckets at our craft store to hold her crayons, scissors, glue, paint brushes and sponges. I also added an art "caddy" with a variety of little things for her to glue, stick and create with like pom poms, jewel stickers, hearts, flowers, etc. I added a LOT to the paper collection by finding a booklet of small scrap book papers, thick craft paper, watercolor paper for our painting (which she loves and it finally doesn't soak through), a coloring book for when she wants to color characters (which is rare) and more. I added extra clay and markers and a big circle punch. I honestly could not have made better decisions! It changed EVERYTHING! She gets her items from the "art house" and sits down to be in her zone. Since her crayons, glue and everything else are hanging on her table now, she is good to go! I have been absolutely amazed at the art pieces that she has created using the circle punch, pom poms, glue, everything! I also have sewing mats for her with large yarn needles that she asks me for when she wants to use and big buttons that she can work on.<br />
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She has a large interest in words and how to say them and what they mean. The bigger the better for her. She has already told us that she wants to learn to read (at age 3) and she WANTS to do phonics sometimes or sight words...we just let her take the lead on that one. For now, I follow her on that, but we do have a small word of the week that we keep up for spelling and sounding out.<br />
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For her science interests she now has a human body model that has squishy parts that are all removable. It comes with a booklet and even a chart to match up the parts when taking it a part. She LOVES it and has learned so much from it already! She received a planet projector (not shown) for Christmas from family and that stays in her room so that she can sleep in the stars! It's amazing! We also have a Moons and Blooms calendar that I purchased from Amazon that not only shows us the phase of the moon for every day of the year, but also which blooms to expect to see when throughout the seasons!<br />
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Lastly, I wanted to address books and body learning. Now, we have a basket or tray of books in almost every room of the house because I always want them to be accessible for reading whenever she likes! Last year (at age 2 1/2) we began the basic process of talking about "tricky people" and not wanting to be touched, etc. My first bit of advice on introducing these things is to KNOW your child. How does this need to be explained for THEM? Every child is different and needs to understand things on different levels. Our methods of explaining worked perfectly for our child and she gained (at a very early age) a good understanding of what to do and not do and when to make sure she asked Mommy and Daddy and so on. At age 3, we moved on to learning the body...actual parts because she is very literal and always wants to know what something truly means and how it works. It really is best to use actual terms with kids so that there's never confusion as to what something is called. I HIGHLY recommend these books. Especially the " Who Has What" book by Robie H. Harris.<br />
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It is completely toddler friendly and age appropriate if you are looking for something to introduce true info and true body terms to your young child. Very well done! My other bit of advice would be to not wait until school age to start talking about it. Not every child is ready at a very young age, but the benefit of just beginning to chat about it on a very simple level such as telling them that no matter what, "Always check with Mommy or Daddy (or whoever) first." Begin the chats while everything is still very factual so it doesn't become scary. The more factual it is, the more it might just stick like glue, like any routine you might have. And we have ALWAYS told her that she NEVER has to let anyone touch her. We have never made her hold hands with cousins or friends or even forced her to hug family or sit on someone's lap or tell them that she loves them. We leave that up to her. If she doesn't want to do something, we have taught her to simply say, "No thank you. I don't want to do that." We don't force each other as adults to hold hands with another adult friend...why is it any less awkward or invasive for a child? Now, if she wants to then that's fine, but we don't make her. We also let her decide if she wants to tell someone her name when she is asked randomly in public by an admiring adult. If she doesn't want to, she does not have to and I simply tell them that we let her decide if she's comfortable telling someone her name that she doesn't know. Most of the time, she has felt comfortable, but there have been times that someone asked and she didn't want to say...I didn't make her and they took no offense to it. In fact, the times that happened, those people actually told me they thought that was very smart and totally understood. I don't want my child to EVER feel like she HAS to talk to someone she doesn't know, she NEVER has to let someone touch her and she can ALWAYS use her words when she doesn't want something or doesn't like something.<br />
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This may not be something you want to do with your own child, but I know that ultimately I'm raising my child to eventually live without me (sniff, sniff) and be independent and I want her to have confidence in her feelings, words and intuition from the start. It is NEVER too early (in my opinion) to begin building confidence and nurturing intuition.<br />
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xoxo,<br />
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Sarasara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-89213401798573320932017-01-31T17:25:00.001-08:002017-01-31T17:25:46.143-08:00COOKIES!!!! FINALLY!!! GLUTEN, DAIRY AND REFINED SUGAR-FREE!!Dear friends,<br />
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This post will be extra dear to me because for a while I have tried and tried to create a delicious cookie that is gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free. It's hard to find a good cookie consistency while avoiding the extras...it really is. HOWEVER...I. Have. Done. It! The first version I'm going to share is my Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip recipe and then I have a fantastic Oatmeal Raisin that I just created today on the way to the blog soon!<br />
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I won't go into all of the long ways it took me to get here, but I'm glad there is a cookie for me to make, eat and enjoy now...and my family too.<br />
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Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies<br />
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1 C - Blanched Almond Flour (blanched is best so the almond skin just get in the way...also, I just buy a bag of blanched almonds and blend my own, but you can buy it already done)<br />
1 C- Nature's Path Organic Old-fashioned Oats<br />
4 TBSP - Pure Maple Syrup<br />
1 TBSP - Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil (use it solid and not melted)<br />
1 TBSP - Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter (I use Crunchy)<br />
1/4 TSP - Vanilla Extract<br />
1/4 TSP - Salt<br />
1 TSP - Baking Powder (I always use Rumfords)<br />
1/2 c (at least) - Enjoy Life Brand Mini Chocolate Chips<br />
1 Duck Egg ( I use Duck, but you could use two chicken eggs too)<br />
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Blend altogether and drop cookie sized globs onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Flatten them just a bit if you like and bake at 350 F for around 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.<br />
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ENJOY!!!!<br />
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xoxo,<br />
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Sarasara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-91185762291529821992017-01-08T08:55:00.002-08:002017-01-08T09:06:47.963-08:00RELAXING BATHS FOR KIDS AND TOTS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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Have you ever stepped into a warm or hot bath, lit a candle and just soaked in the water, listening to relaxing music and perhaps indulging yourself with a lovely essential oil in your water for aromatherapy? Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it divine?<br />
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Now, have you ever considered how much your child could benefit from the occasional "relaxing bath" too? Sure, most of us mothers have used bubbles at some point or other to give them the fun bubble bath and I know (as a mom) how much kids love to play in the tub with toys. But from time to time, there is quiet and there is therapy that is necessary for bath time. Making a very special bath time just for them with a special soap, beeswax candle (all the rest of the lights off), lavender or chamomile essential oil in the water and playing soft and relaxing music can be a delightful treat for them and certainly a nice break from splashing and toys for you. If they still want a toy, allow them to bring in an animal figurine or one toy that can "enjoy" the relaxing bath with them.<br />
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Consider offering this to your child or children. I think you'll be amazed at how often they will request a "relaxing bath" thereafter!<br />
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Here are the products I use for my child:<br />
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<a href="http://www.beetreesoap.com/" target="_blank">Bee Tree Company Bar Soap</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/119176198/100-pure-natural-votive-beeswax-candles?ref=related-0" target="_blank">Beeswax Candles</a> (they do not blacken walls or omit any type of toxin...pure and natural)<br />
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Relaxing Music ( I love the Heavenly Streams album by Tom Hambleton from iTunes)<br />
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<a href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/lavender-essential-oil/profile" target="_blank">Mountain Rose Lavender Essential Oil</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.vitacost.com/eo-essential-oil-products-everyone-liquid-soap-lavender-and-aloe-32-fl-oz-1" target="_blank">Everybody Soap Bubble Bath</a> (it's natural so it only bubbles so much, but it is at least a non-toxic way of giving your child a bubble bath and you can use it for the soap and shampoo too!)<br />
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xoxo,<br />
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Sara<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-81123043427230035802016-10-18T12:25:00.003-07:002016-11-24T07:54:12.749-08:00PUMPKIN and BANANA MUFFINS! GLUTEN, REFINED SUGAR AND DAIRY-FREE!Dear friends,<br />
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Anytime I have a huge delay in writing, I am legitimately sorry. Because I also own a photography business, the end of summer and fall season for me is extremely busy and I have had little time to blog. HOWEVER, it is autumn and nothing says October like a darn good pumpkin muffin. I am always trying to find ways for my family and especially my little one to have amazing seasonal favorites, but without the extra crud and if possible, without the extra dairy, gluten and sugar! I thought and I thought and I thought some more. Then it came to me. Why not simply use my cake recipe I created, but substitute just the right things to make a pumpkin muffin with it instead! So I did it for banana muffins and also with pumpkin! Delicious! They were a huge hit with everyone!</div>
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So without further ado...the PUMPKIN MUFFIN RECIPE...followed by the banana muffin version...</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">PUMPKIN MUFFINS!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tbs - White Rice Flour (all flours are Bob's Red Mill Brand)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Tapioca Flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Potato Starch</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tsp - Baking Powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - Baking Soda</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tsp - Cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - Nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">3 tbs - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Organic Maple Syrup (do NOT use any syrup other than real, organic maple)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Rice Milk (NOT vanilla) OR Unsweetened Almond Milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/2 cup - Organic Pumpkin Puree</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 of one Banana</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Vanilla Extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 - Duck Egg Whites - OR 4 CHICKEN EGG WHITES</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">**VERY IMPORTANT - I USE DUCK EGG WHICH RENDERS A MUCH LIGHTER AND FLUFFIER BAKED GOOD THAN CHICKEN EGG** USING CHICKEN EGG MIGHT NOT BE THE VERY SAME**</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Melted Coconut Oil</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Throw it all in one bowl and mix it with a hand beater for around 2-3 minutes. You will notice that the batter will fluff up because of the egg whites and start to look a bit foamy. That's what you want! The egg whites keep it light and mixing it longer creates more air in the batter, so that when it bakes, it renders a light and fluffy cake!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">*Use muffin liners...they work really well in the tin foil ones and come out easily*</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fill your liners half of the way so that they can rise!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bake at 350 F degrees for at least 15 minutes and then begin to watch it and do the toothpick check in the middle to see if it comes clean.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">*LET IT COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE REMOVING THE MUFFIN FROM LINERS TO EAT* IT MUST COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE RENDERING IT'S FINAL FLUFFY TEXTURE</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">BANANA MUFFINS!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tbs - White Rice Flour (all flours are Bob's Red Mill Brand)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Tapioca Flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Potato Starch</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tsp - Baking Powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - Baking Soda</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">3 tbs - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Organic Maple Syrup (do NOT use any syrup other than real, organic maple)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Rice Milk (NOT vanilla) OR Unsweetened Almond Milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">One whole Banana</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Vanilla Extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 - Duck Egg Whites - OR 4 CHICKEN EGG WHITES</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">**VERY IMPORTANT - I USE DUCK EGG WHICH RENDERS A MUCH LIGHTER AND FLUFFIER BAKED GOOD THAN CHICKEN EGG** USING CHICKEN EGG MIGHT NOT BE THE VERY SAME**</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Melted Coconut Oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Throw it all in one bowl and mix it with a hand beater for around 2-3 minutes. You will notice that the batter will fluff up because of the egg whites and start to look a bit foamy. That's what you want! The egg whites keep it light and mixing it longer creates more air in the batter, so that when it bakes, it renders a light and fluffy cake!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">*Use muffin liners...they work really well in the tin foil ones and come out easily*</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fill your liners half of the way so that they can rise!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bake at 350 F degrees for at least 15 minutes and then begin to watch it and do the toothpick check in the middle to see if it comes clean.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">*LET IT COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE REMOVING THE MUFFIN FROM LINERS TO EAT* IT MUST COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE RENDERING IT'S FINAL FLUFFY TEXTURE</span></div>
sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-25527110698155231872016-08-31T12:25:00.000-07:002016-08-31T12:25:01.558-07:00PRINCESS PEACH ~ SMOOTHIE!Dear friends,<br />
<br />
As always, please read my post <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/08/smoothies-for-tots-and-kids.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> first on why I choose the ingredients that I do for my child's smoothies so that you'll have a better understanding as to what amazing things they do for the body and how they can aid your child's development.<br />
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PRINCESS PEACH SMOOTHIE!</div>
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1/2 c ~ almond milk (I use homemade and you can check out my post on it <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/04/easiest-homemade-almond-milk.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</div>
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1/4 c ~ organic plain kefir (found at Kroger)</div>
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1 whole sliced peach (not canned)</div>
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1 tsp ~ ground flax meal</div>
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1 tbs ~ organic canned pumpkin</div>
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What your child is getting in this smoothie:</div>
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~ Rich vitamins such as potassium, zinc, magnesium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, iron.</div>
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~ Protein, probiotics, omega-3, fiber, beta-carotene and more!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<br /></div>
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xoxo,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sara</div>
sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-64692679288123911552016-08-29T11:55:00.000-07:002016-08-29T11:55:04.904-07:00LAND OF DINOSAURS SMOOTHIE!Dear friends,<br />
<br />
As always, please read my post <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/08/smoothies-for-tots-and-kids.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> first on why I choose the ingredients that I do for my child's smoothies so that you'll have a better understanding as to what amazing things they do for the body and how they can aid your child's development.<br />
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<br />
THE LAND OF DINOSAURS SMOOTHIE<br />
<br />
1/2 cup - Raw Coconut Water (I use Harvest Raw brand which can be found at Kroger in the organic section)<br />
1/4 c - Organic Plain Kefir (found at Fresh Market or Kroger)<br />
1/2 to whole peach sliced (depending on how sweet you want it...I suggest blending 1/2 first then adding if you need to)<br />
1 dry cup - Organic fresh spinach leaves (you don't have to push them into the cup...just enough of a loose pile of leaves to fill it)<br />
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Makes about 3/4 cup of finished smoothie<br />
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Blend a few minutes so that the spinach becomes nice and smooth in it! Enjoy! And remember...if this doesn't end up being the one for your child, there are more to try! Don't give up!<br />
<br />
<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-73338293949424619692016-08-27T07:45:00.002-07:002016-08-27T14:33:21.906-07:00"IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN SMOOTHIE"Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Please read the post on why I choose the smoothie ingredients that I do <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/08/smoothies-for-tots-and-kids.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> first. It will give you an inside look at just what these amazing ingredients do for your body and your little one's body!<br />
<br />
Remember that if your child doesn't like this smoothie...don't give up. There is always a delicious way to get nutrition into your child's body and there will be one that they like soon, if not this one!<br />
<br />
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<br />
"IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN SMOOTHIE" (or call it whatever you think will appeal most to your child...ex: orange shake, sun smoothie, etc). It's a wonderful way of getting good fats, vitamins, beta carotene, antioxidants and more into your child.<br />
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This makes around 5 oz of smoothie. You can double it for two children of course, but there is no need to over-smoothie them. They don't need a huge smoothie like you might.<br />
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1/2 c - Unsweetened Almond Milk or other milk<br />
1 tbs - Native Forest Canned Coconut Full Fat Milk (found at the Health Nut and at Fresh Market)<br />
1 tbs - Farmer's Market Organic Canned Pumpkin (found at the Health Nut)<br />
1 1/2 tsp - raw honey (you can use a bit more if you feel you have to, but don't over sweeten it)<br />
1/8 tsp - cinnamon<br />
1/8 tsp - vanilla extract (optional)<br />
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Blend well altogether in a blender and serve or chill first if you want. This particular smoothie is not super thick, so don't expect it to be. I never use ice in my smoothies because very cold items cause more mucus in children and chilling it for a bit in the fridge should be sufficient.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!!<br />
<br />
xoxo,<br />
<br />
Sarasara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-83870158430189324462016-08-26T19:01:00.003-07:002016-08-26T19:11:26.356-07:00SMOOTHIES FOR TOTS AND KIDS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Dear friends,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing quite like the power-packed goodness of a smoothie for the littles in your household. If your child is one who likes veggies, fruits and such then this will be a no-brainer. If your child is the kind who gags when they even look at a spinach leaf, then these smoothies I will begin to post will hopefully be a segue into an easy fix for you and a nutritious answer for their bodies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">* Please remember that I'm not a physician or nutritional expert. I'm just a mama who loves to create delicious and healthy items for my own child and am happy to share what I do in hopes that it may inspire or help someone else. *</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few suggestions I will make prior to you trying smoothies in your home as a way to get healthy things into your kiddos:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Do not over use the ingredients at first. There is no need to bomb them with spinach or any other veggie at first...especially if they already dislike them. The idea is to ease them into a new pattern that they will hopefully love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Do not over sweeten the smoothies. A nearly, all-fruit smoothie isn't that jam-packed...other than with sugars. Yes, fruits have nutritional value, but adding more than a bit of two fruits to any smoothie for a child is unnecessary. You're trying to train their bodies to want what is in the smoothies...not just to want something sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Think about what your child is truly lacking in their daily nutrition. Is it mostly greens? Is it orange veggies? Is it omega-3s and good fats? Is it probiotics?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a little 411 on why I use the ingredients that I do:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Ground Flaxseed Meal</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acid which is essential and crucial in a child's brain development. It doesn't have a harsh taste and can actually thicken the smoothie a bit because it expands in liquid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Fish Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The taste must be covered well obviously, but the benefits of the Omega-3 fatty acids that it provides it much better than even flaxseed. Super brain!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Organic Pumpkin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rich in carotenoids and antioxidants! The beta carotene is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, lungs, heart and circulation!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Organic Spinach (fresh)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, please get organic or local when possible. You do not want spinach that has been sprayed with chemicals and pesticides! The health benefits of spinach are so numerous that it should be eaten daily...improving eyes, blood pressure, boosting growth in infants, strong muscles, neurological benefits, anti-cancerous benefits and more. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do not get store bought because it's heated and loses its nutrients from the process. Raw honey is anti-cancer! It contains carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumor properties! It is chocked full of antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. It boost brain function, provides natural energy, is antimicrobial and just plain yummy! Why would you not use raw honey to sweeten a smoothie for your child if you needed to?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Organic Plain Kefir</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why plain? It doesn't contain the sugar that the flavored ones have and there's no need to add additional sugar. Kefir is an amazing probiotic drink that contain minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, enzymes and more. Probiotics protect a child's intestinal flora to help them fight better when prescribed antibiotics. These probiotics also help develop a strong and healthy immune system while fighting off harmful bacterias and viruses. Probiotics are absolutely essential to a child's body and strengthen bones, teeth, gums and enhance metabolism. We use plain kefir for so much more in our home. I make ranch out of it, use it as a sour cream substitute on our potatoes and create avocado-kefir dipping sauces and desserts for my little one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Raw Coconut Water</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The benefits are absolutely incomparable! The coconut tree isn't called "The Tree of Life" for nothing! Raw coconut water is so incredibly nourishing that it is given to newborns intravenously in other countries to nourish and hydrate them when needed and has been a substitute for formulas. It was also used in WW2 for emergency transfusions. It has twice the potassium as a banana, super rich in electrolytes, anti-aging elements, boosts immunity with it's richness in lauric acid (the component present in breast milk), best summer drink and hydrator for kids, no allergic reactions with coconut water, remedy for vomiting as it hydrates and soothes the tummy and so many more! This is a no brainer on baby, tot and kids drinks as far as I'm concerned!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Unsweetened Homemade Almond Milk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While almond milk isn't a super blast of nutrition, it does vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, protein and other trace essentials of the super nut they come from. It does make a nice and neutral base to some smoothies though...especially if your kids can't do dairy! I make my own milk (find that post <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/04/easiest-homemade-almond-milk.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) because I don't like the additives in store bought almond milk, its fresh when I make it and it's super easy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Organic Coconut Milk (canned)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a nutritious amount of good fat! The saturated fatty acids it provides contain lauric acid which are converted in our bodies into an anti-viral, anti-bacterial compound! It is an immune booster, it rapidly metabolizes and should be used once to twice a week. It's highly rich in vitamin Bs, iron, selenium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Avocado</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are rich in healthy fats and contain vitamins, including vitamin K which is big for growing kids. It contains calcium, zinc, iron, and more to help develop strong bones, tissues and even help wounds heal faster. They are neutral in taste and can be used to thicken a smoothie easily!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Choice fruits</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite fruits to use are bananas because even using just half of one thickens and sweetens a whole smoothie! Peaches are delicious when in season and of course, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries when you can get them organic or without spray since they are some of the most sprayed fruits out there. Look for fruits that contain antioxidants or magnesium when possible since most children are magnesium deficient. It usually only takes half of a banana, one whole peach or a 1/4 cup of other fruits to sweeten and do their job credibly...especially if you're adding a little honey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I will begin posting a smoothie recipe at a time. Your child may love it...they may hate it. If they hate it though...I encourage you to NOT GIVE UP. Everyone has a different flavor and perhaps we just haven't stumbled upon your child's yet. There will be at least one magic smoothie that they will like...and when they do...you can add little by little, the extra things and you will be happy and your child's body will be even happier!</span>sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-48151207941838071992016-08-26T05:11:00.001-07:002016-08-26T05:11:09.555-07:00ONE ORGANIC JOURNEY ~ REPOST<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends, </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to repost this now that it's been a number of years in hopes that it might help someone else looking into an organic journey for their baby. Enjoy my friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">From 2013~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I need to preface this with saying that the following is my journey, experience and perspective. In no way am I undermining anyone who feels the exact opposite. I completely believe “to each their own” and I’m just fine with that. My only wish would be that if someone out there has an interest in these things that perhaps my own experience could be a little helpful. Here I go…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Stereotype?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not all, but I do believe some folks see organic as a type of snobbery…turning a cheek to the food and textile industry because they want to be different or prove a point to the world. Maybe that is true of some. If there are then I don’t know them. All of the individuals or families I know who go organic in some way, shape or form simply care a great deal about where their food is coming from and are trying to avoid some extra things in their lives. I think it may also be true that many people believe that you have a lot of money to go organic. Again, this isn’t so. Do you have to be rich to take a family vacation? Not necessarily. It’s all about choice and priorities. If you know that you want to go to Disney World with your family then you know it isn’t going to be cheap. However, if you go about it the right way and even budget if need be through the year…it can definitely be done. I believe that folks tend to invest in what means a great deal to them. As for the cost itself of going organic…yes, in SOME areas it can be a little pricier than non-organic. Let me ask this though: If you were given the choice of spending $15,000 on a new, untainted, no mileage car and spending $14,000 on one that was dented, had a lot of mileage and was several years old…I don’t think it’s hard to figure what most of our answers would be. Long story short…going organic has nothing to do with how much money you do or don’t make in life. It is a choice like everything else. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is Organic?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I find that there can be a lot of confusion with organic. If you don’t buy organic, then you might not be totally sure what it is. In a nutshell, it’s food or textiles that have not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, etc. Essentially, it’s a more “pure” food because it’s not chemically ridden. For example, veggies from an organic garden have had no chemical treatments…they have grown naturally. Organic meat means that the cows, pig, etc have been grass fed or grain fed (with organic grains) and that no antibiotics, steroids, etc have been injected into those animals…ultimately giving you a clean and natural piece of meat rather than one that has been taken from an animal raised on chemicals to enhance growth, etc. Organic cotton comes from cotton fields that again, have been untreated with pesticides and so on. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deeper than Just Organic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you really wanted to delve deeper than you’d see there are loopholes in every industry. The cotton may have been organically grown, but it may have unfortunately been treated later with bleach and chemicals or modified somewhere in the process. This brings me to GMO. If you’ve seen this on food products saying “Non-GMO”, you may either know what it means or may have been confused or could care less. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, meaning that those Organic corn tortilla chips you bought may have been organically grown, but the seeds or other things may be GMO. Let me put it this way too…it means taking the DNA of the plant or animal in question and merging it with other DNA and species creating a fairly unstable combination and ultimately ending up in your belly or on your body. Non-GMO means that it is as pure as you can get it these days from start to finish. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Organic Journey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been a fan of healthier foods for a long time now, but most especially over the past 5 years. As the years have gone on I have become more versed in the world of organic because I began having a deep interest in what I was really eating, drinking and so on. When we found out we were pregnant with daughter, my husband and I both knew and agreed that we wanted to start her life off as chemical free as possible and simply minimize what we could for her. Most of her room and clothing are organic, but I’d like to tell you why these things became so important to me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Chemicals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The crib mattress is organic because I couldn’t bring myself to have her on something else knowing what I did about mattresses. They contain FLAME RETARDANTS which are actually endocrine disruptors (and toxic and linked to cancer)…meaning that they can mess with hormones, reproductive systems and development in general. FORMALDEHYDE, which is found in just about everything from mattresses to mulch has been linked to cancer as well. LEAD, MERCURY, BPA (BISPHENOL A WHICH ALSO IS ASSOCIATED WITH INFERTILITY, OBESITY, THYROID AND METABOLIC DISORDERS BECAUSE IT’S A ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR). Why do you think that you’re seeing more and more “BPA free” items in baby and kid products? Well, it’s toxic and some companies are getting a clue and making sure that don’t use it anymore. Needless to say, we didn’t want our baby sleeping everyday on a product that contained so many toxic chemicals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Organic Mattress:</span> Aren’t you scared to have your baby on a mattress that doesn’t have a flame retardant you might ask? No, I’m not because her mattress is filled and lined with organic wool which many people don’t know is a natural flame retardant. Wool is a wonderfully pure way to avoid that issue and she is nice and safe. Honestly, if you’re buying a nice mattress for your baby anyway…It’s really about the same cost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Organic clothing and linens:</span> We personally care very much about what is sitting on her skin all day and all night. Her bed linens, washcloths, blankets, clothing are all organic. Well, mostly. My best friend gave us a ton of her girls’ clothing to use and not knowing that she was going to be 18 pounds by the time she was 5 months…well, let’s just say we have been incredibly grateful for the extra clothing to use in between her growth spurts! Most of her clothing though is untreated or organic and I was very frugal about how I did this. I will list the links of many of the things we used at the end for reference if you’re interested. Again, I’m not saying ANYTHING against it if you don’t use organic…this is simply what we chose to do and why. Many pesticides actually never “wash out” of cotton and believe it or not, there are over 2000 chemicals currently used in the textile industry on our clothing including dyes and so on. We decided to minimize her direct skin exposure to those chemicals if we could.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Carseats, pacifiers and toys:</span> I had no idea prior to my research on it that car seats were so incredibly filled with toxic chemicals! Bromine (flame retardant), lead, mercury, formaldehyde…you name it, it’s pretty much all over it. I personally researched by going to <a href="http://www.healthycars.org/">www.healthycars.org</a> and could see the level of chemicals and which ones were used in many items. Our carseat (Britax Chaperone in Cowmooflage) decision was based partially on that. Although many toys and pacifiers are now BPA free, I went with an all natural rubber pacifier…derived directly from rubberwood and no chemicals, etc. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard, “I’ve never seen a pacifier like that.” Well, you don’t see them often in stores, but I feel better knowing that it is natural, plant derived and chemical free. As for toys she is still only 5 months old, but she has organic teething giraffes which I found on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">www.Etsy.com</a> , a couple of organic crinkle/rattle toys and a wood and non- toxic colored shape sorter with blocks. We didn’t want her chewing on the fore mentioned chemicals either!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Food: </span>Currently, she is still nursing and I have eaten organically, non processed foods all along with her since even MSG and so on pass directly to her if I eat it. Considering she is already pushing 20 pounds, I think it’s safe to say that you don’t have to have a diet of unhealthy fats, sugary junk foods and drinks to have a plump baby. When we start her on solids, I will be making her food, which is easy for us because we have veggies and such anyway, so pureeing a little extra is no problem. She will eat what we eat and I will tell you now that we don’t suffer in taste or foods. It’s amazing how wonderfully you can eat and it doesn’t have to be out of a box. We get organic veggies and fruits, organic dairy, grassfed meats, organic grains and I use a lot of organic coconut oil to cook and bake with…it’s sooooo delicious! We have a garden and bees so we grow a lot of our own items as well as harvest our own honey and thanks to our lovely Farmer’s Markets, we can buy locally and easily!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Diapers! If you haven't gotten the clue yet...there's toxic chemicals in almost everything...diapers included! Well this is a big one! Get ready...d<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">ioxins and sodium polyacrylate, two of the chemicals found in disposable diapers, have either </span><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">been linked to or have caused the following toxic responses</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">: cancer, reproductive & infertility problems, asthma & respiratory distress, hormonal problems, developmental & cognitive problems, suppressed immune system, diabetes, endometriosis, allergic reactions, chemical burns and more. AND WHAT'S MORE...</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">There have also been reports (on sites all over the internet) that diapers may contain many other chemicals.Some of these chemicals include:</span></span><br />
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<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tributyltin – This is toxic to humans and environment, is a persistent organic pollutant, causes irreversible damage to aquatic life, and is linked to obesity in humans (triggers genes that cause the growth of fat cells).</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Xylene – This is toxic to the respiratory and central nervous systems. Breathing<br />high concentrations in an enclosed space can cause irregular heartbeats which can cause death.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ethylbenzene – This chemical is listed as possibly cancer-causing. It is mutagenic (capable of causing mutation). The substance may be toxic to the central nervous system. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. It may cause central nervous system depression, is an aspiration hazard if swallowed and can enter the lungs and cause damage. It causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Styrene- This substance is cancer-causing and is toxic to the nervous system and upper respiratory tract. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. It is very hazardous to the eyes.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Propylene – This chemical is an anesthetic at high concentrations. Inhalation may cause central nervous system depression producing dizziness, drowsiness, headache and similar narcotic symptoms. Extremely high concentrations can cause asphyxiation and death by displacing oxygen from the breathing atmosphere.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Toluene – The substance may be toxic to blood, kidneys, the nervous system, liver, brain, and central nervous system (CNS). Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Whew! Oh my goodness! Hard to believe that all of these things are just a possible handful of chemicals that are sitting on baby's bum ALL DAY long and possibly absorbing into their skin!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We knew that we would either be using Seventh Generation disposables (which are free of most chemicals, save a small amount of SAP gel used for absorption and still is a chemical that I don't like, but a small amount is better than a large one), cloth diapers or a little of both and so we stocked up just enough on each kind. I had every intention of using cloth from the start although I did want some kind of disposables on hand in case. Everything changed as her birth approached though since we were going to have a home birth, but had to have a c-section because she was breech. Because she was breech for so long, there was concern from the start about the possibility of dysplasia in one of her hips. Praise God that we never had to use a full body harness or any harness on her little body and her hip thankfully went back where it needed to within a short period of time. However, to encourage her hip placement, we had to double diaper her starting at the hospital and that would have been a little hard to do with cloth diapering. We started with the Seventh Generation ones and are using them still since we had to double diaper for 3 months. With that being said, I still have my cloth diapering and have every intention of giving it a go once she is on solids (since we are currently stocked up from Christmas on Seventh Generation diapers)! I know cloth seems intimidating, but like everything else...once you do it for a while it becomes second nature! Although we do use the Seventh Generation free and clear wipes for the most part right now, I do make our own spray for her little bottom and I have and use organic cloth wipes on her a lot of times though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">MY DIAPER BAG & WHAT IS IN IT:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag, Planet Wise Changing pad, Organic burp cloth, Organic Teething Giraffe, Rubber Pacifier, Extra Change of Clothing, Diapers & Wipes, Homemade Bottom Spray, Burt's Bees Hand Sanitizer, Organic Blanket and last but not least...a tea bag and sugar for me because you just never know when you might need a good cup of tea! : )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Home and Chemicals:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Currently I make our own household cleaner (below) and it works perfectly on everything and I have the knowledge that I'm not spraying extra things into the air and on our surfaces! : )</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Future</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, will she always wear organic clothing? No. Will she ever eat or drink something non-organic or processed? I’m sure she will. We can’t control everything. My goodness…the air is full of pollution, but we all have to breathe it. We wanted to start her off as chemical free as we could because we know that there are things that are simply unavoidable…especially as she gets older. It’s not about sheltering, bubbling, or doing something for show. It’s just about minimizing the amount of toxic chemicals that our family may personally consume and that is the choice we have made. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please know that we LOVE certain things that just are not (sadly) organic, but we still have them from time to time. We aren't snobs about our food, but we do try to make the best choices for us within our own home. We have our favorite little spots on our vacations just like everyone else! Our life and our home is far from all organic or chemical free, but we are striving to buy what we know and know where it grows as we continue through this lovely journey of life. Below I have listed several links of reference if you have any interest and of course, you are most welcome to ask me questions anytime if you have them! Here’s to healthy and wonderful living…whatever that may mean for your family! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Homemade Baby Bottom Spray:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mini Spray Bottle (The Health Nut in Wyndhurst)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Water and only 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavender is cleansing)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;">Homemade Household Cleaner:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/4 part White Vinegar</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3/4/ part Water</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several drops of Tea Tree Oil (very cleansing)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">LINKS OF REFERENCE</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Learn about Organic and Non GMO: </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nongmoproject.org/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.nongmoproject.org</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://organicconsumers.org/organlink.cfm"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://organicconsumers.org/organlink.cfm</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food Inc Documentary (on Netflix and Amazon Prime and DVD)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Crib Mattress:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.absolutelyorganicbaby.com/organic-innerspring-crib-mattress/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.absolutelyorganicbaby.com/organic-innerspring-crib-mattress/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Changing Pad and Wet/Dry Bag:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.planetwiseinc.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Cloth Wipes:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UD6C2A/ref=oh_details_o06_s04_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Burp Cloths I love:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Tadpoles-Organic-Receiving-Blankets-Color/dp/B002ZQWEQK/ref=sr_1_19?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1390407206&sr=1-19&keywords=organic+tadpoles (We use these for burp cloths a lot)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/organicquiltcompany</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Blanket (our favorite)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/turtleparktots?ga_search_query=turtle+park+tots&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ref=sr_gallery_7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Teething Giraffe:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarbrightBaby?ga_search_query=starbright+baby&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ref=sr_gallery_16</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Crinkle Bear:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Dandelion-Organic-Toy-Crinkle-Bear/dp/B002SG7IWC/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_z</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://ecopiggy.com/">http://ecopiggy.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Natural Toys:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hapetoys.com/us/en/">http://www.hapetoys.com/us/en/</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://plantoys.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://plantoys.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.maximenterprise.com/everearth-2/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic Clothing:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kee-ka.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.kee-ka.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Baby-Organic-Bodysuit-Broccoli/dp/B002H9W0NC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390241541&sr=8-1&keywords=hudson+baby"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Baby-Organic-Bodysuit-Broccoli/dp/B002H9W0NC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390241541&sr=8-1&keywords=hudson+baby</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.burtsbeesbaby.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.burtsbeesbaby.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.underthenile.com/underthenile/index.php"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.underthenile.com/underthenile/index.php</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Baby Wash:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.drbronner.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.drbronner.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Forest Farmer’s Market</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forest-farmers-market/193117547377111"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forest-farmers-market/193117547377111</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lynchburg Community Market:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LynchburgCommunityMarket"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/LynchburgCommunityMarket</span></a></div>
sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-46037610668856873692016-08-21T11:59:00.001-07:002016-08-21T11:59:14.399-07:00THE NATURE NOOK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8mwXSs_53afRHU4y8iMyAa94GcuhFPz6uQgSUhb3ikzwLN-i2WIBzRBscQwazk-QcK_YPEdg0zr61MZOER5yMCGzb672h53XR3Y2LuKyIm0VkV7WpUr0AWLMw0KLYEVUyS9HGpqg9Ak/s1600/DSC_3711+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8mwXSs_53afRHU4y8iMyAa94GcuhFPz6uQgSUhb3ikzwLN-i2WIBzRBscQwazk-QcK_YPEdg0zr61MZOER5yMCGzb672h53XR3Y2LuKyIm0VkV7WpUr0AWLMw0KLYEVUyS9HGpqg9Ak/s320/DSC_3711+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Every 4-6 months, the learning nook get changed. Each time, it's inspired by something new...as our interests evolve. This season is a nature nook. One of our favorite new things is our Nature Treasure box. We are trying to use nature for a little bit of everything this season...containers, brushes, inspiration, education, counting, healing, etc. We found a freshly rubbed off antler from a young deer that circles the globe. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">A large conch shell holds the crayons. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">A lovely aloe</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> plant clears the air of unwanted toxins, needs the responsibility of being cared for, and offers healing juices for burns and cuts if needed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">I</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19px;"> am SO happy that my mom held onto our Golden Guides from when we were kids. I learned many a tree, flower, insect and bird from these (now vintage) books. I'm so happy they have been given a whole new chapter (no pun intended) of life! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZA1bPA4E9ArU_FDJ7cVdIO1F9-Mahx0QALTfHThyphenhyphenks5OawRsS-LG7zGN-4vBRsNsKBKw_KbT9m5wQdVYsjK5YP2Sab2XjT9VVAHKGFhnj6yBhbhDeKPrUcfp619YGKhq_u3uf09a4A0/s1600/DSC_3717+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZA1bPA4E9ArU_FDJ7cVdIO1F9-Mahx0QALTfHThyphenhyphenks5OawRsS-LG7zGN-4vBRsNsKBKw_KbT9m5wQdVYsjK5YP2Sab2XjT9VVAHKGFhnj6yBhbhDeKPrUcfp619YGKhq_u3uf09a4A0/s320/DSC_3717+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">I can hardly wait for autumn to begin and all of the wonderful new discoveries to make, adventures to have and treasures to find!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKy0Vk5xjFfTNs_oHffHS5O8HWvnYf-ng3ZvMsLUsrk2D0HnpHEyzPiHKvUoFyWOyEzePrdiOeLzU_tBurHn1QSDSlt_FMuP4Pbdsbaf-SML1Hbt43cNK2YIhJPdjf5UvxhI0nAu_vNI/s1600/DSC_3722+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKy0Vk5xjFfTNs_oHffHS5O8HWvnYf-ng3ZvMsLUsrk2D0HnpHEyzPiHKvUoFyWOyEzePrdiOeLzU_tBurHn1QSDSlt_FMuP4Pbdsbaf-SML1Hbt43cNK2YIhJPdjf5UvxhI0nAu_vNI/s320/DSC_3722+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-55706999741682597392016-07-25T07:12:00.000-07:002016-07-25T07:23:02.806-07:00WILD + FREE!Dear friends,<br />
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As my little gets closer to the "pre-school" age, I find myself thinking more and more about how I want to go about her schooling. When I was a child, I experienced both regular school and homeschool. I started out in regular school, but was dreadfully shy as a child. I began to physically get sick to my stomach throughout first grade and although my grades excelled and I liked my teachers, the social aspect was too much for me at the time. There were many reasons in our home for us to begin homeschooling, but this was just one that my mom saw needed to be changed in my life. I will FOREVER be grateful that she did. </div>
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Some might have said to keep me in and that my shyness would get better with age. I'm so glad that my mom didn't think so. For me personally, it was one of the best things my parents ever did for me. I absolutely thrived though homeschooling. I could actually focus on my work, not be tied to a chair and I loved that it was just me and my brother...not a huge classroom (and yes, we had friends). My mom had been a teacher in the school system for years already, so we had lesson plans and everything else that we needed to thrive educationally. I LOVED IT!</div>
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Fast forward to age 14. I loved my parents, but I had hit the teens like a Mack truck and wanted to be around a school and in that environment. My parents listened and they made it happen! My parents gave me the education I needed, when I needed it. </div>
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As a mother, I look back on both experiences and have considered my options for my own child. I fully realize that every child is very different. They learn in different ways, they are different socially...everything. I don't believe that there is one single way of schooling that fits every child. I think it needs to be tweaked and tailored for each child throughout their school years. Homeschooling now isn't what it was in the early 80s. Back then, we were all just considered weird. Homeschooling itself was weird to people. If you were a homeschooler, then you must've been super sheltered and you had no life (not true). Interestingly enough, all of our dollars and coins bear the face of a homeschooler...our country was founded by homeschoolers! Whether your child is homeschooled or goes to a school building, there is always room to be different. </div>
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I know what I believe in. I believe in a very hands on approach of learning. I believe that nature itself holds a myriad of learning possibilities. I believe that you can sit on a rock by a creek and read a lesson, I believe that math skills can be harnessed using unique materials. I also believe that worksheets and lessons have their place. Each in their own and right time. I found myself compiling an array of teaching methods because just one is way too monotonous for me. If I expect to light fires under my own child's interests then I need to be on fire for it first!</div>
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Recently all of my desires were given a name: Wild + Free! One of my best friends (who knows us so well) mentioned it to me and I was immediately smitten upon reading the website! Wild + Free is simple. It is a community of like-minded mamas and dads who want their child to receive the education they need and yet, have a Wild + Free childhood. A childhood that is filled every single day with nature, life, reading, art, music, conversation, exploring, getting dirty...whatever it entails. What I love is that this isn't just a concept for homeschoolers. There are Wild + Free parents who have their children in a school building too. If you're interested, you can read about it all yourself on their website: <a href="http://www.bewildandfree.org/" target="_blank">Wild + Free</a></div>
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This is exactly who we are in this moment in time. Wild + Free! I value education. I value respect. I value nature. I value childhood. Everything that I love and want for my own child right now has found a name...Wild + Free. More importantly, it's exactly who she is right now. She is a quick learner...very quick...scary quick. She's barely three and can count to 50, she can already write some letters, she can spell some words, she has known the entire alphabet since she was 20 months old, knew 115 signs in sign language before she was 2 and so on. I know who she is. She loves the presence of other children, but loves nature even more. We will continue to be apart of groups, families, co-ops even if we so choose. We will tailor each year and evaluate the next. </div>
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I have the blessing of being able to be at home with my child. Since my work is through my home, I am here. What better situation for me than to teach at home too? Will she always be homeschooled? I don't know. Will she go to a school building one day? Perhaps. We will take each year at a time, savor every experience and opportunity we are given and seize the power of learning in every unique and inspiring way possible!</div>
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If you plant a flower in a pot, it might thrive...it might continue to bloom and grow. If you plant a flower in the ground, it might thrive...it might continue to bloom and grow. In either situation, that flower needs to be nurtured and placed in the right environment for that specific type of flower and for that season of life. It may need sun or shade, it may grow best when given more space or it might grow best when crowded with other flowers.<br />
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Seed packages always come with guidelines, but there is no guarantee. There is no guarantee put on my child... but for now, in this moment...we are Wild + Free!</div>
sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-26529022166236872542016-07-04T13:59:00.002-07:002016-07-06T12:48:02.749-07:00THEM BONES, THEM BONES....THEIR AMAZING PROPERTIES!*QUICK UPDATE* The Health Nut in Wyndhurst now carries Bone Broth from grass-fed cows in jars in their refrigerated section!!! Now if you don't have time or don't want to try making it yourself, just slide over there and grab and jar and heat it!!!<br />
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Dear friends,<br />
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I must deeply apologize for my long, long delay in posting! Between my very busy photography schedule, creating a brand new website and of course, every day domestic duties... I had to hit the pause button on a few things!<br />
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Today though, I am delighted to share with you something that you may or may not be familiar with. The powerful properties of the BONE! No doubt you have heard when it comes to cancer, often times patients need marrow donors. I'm here to shed some basic light on the needs of our own bodies and how we can utilize the power of beef bones to assist them.<br />
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WHY DO WE NEED BONE MARROW? Simply stated...our cells and platelets depend on our bone marrow. It creates the white cells we need to fend off things, the red cells we need for oxygen and if we didn't have platelets then we couldn't stop bleeding...marrow builds these cells and our platelets in a big way.<br />
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HOW CAN BEEF BONES HELP OUR BODIES? The marrow found in beef bones are loaded not only with fat, but with collagen and stem cells...rebuilding intestinal lining and damaged tissues. The collagen repair helps with bruising, bleeding and more. In short, it REPAIRS our bodies where they need repairing most.<br />
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You may be thinking that bone marrow sounds pretty gross. How in the world does one consume bone marrow without gagging and so on. Well, I'm here to tell you friends that consuming bone marrow is easy and delicious and your body will begin it's healing treatment from the inside out almost immediately.<br />
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BONE OPTIONS: BONE BROTH and ROASTED BONE MARROW (there are always other things too, but these are quite effective and delicious).<br />
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BONE BROTH: Bone broth is SOOOOO easy to make. Simply purchase marrow bones (ask for MARROW bones specifically since marrow bones are cut in a certain way) from your local farmer's market, beef farm or butcher. Throw the bones right into a huge pot of filtered water and you can go as simple or as complex as you like with it from there. I know folks who just do the bones and water and cook it down all day long and drink the broth like that, or use the broth in a stew. I also know folks who add all kinds of goodness to the broth while it's cooking like fresh ginger, carrots, leeks, garlic, meat, peas, spices, etc. It's really whatever you want it to be. It's the healing power of the marrow that has now been cooked down through the water that you will consume ultimately and everything else will simply be a bonus!! It is a HUGE boost to your immune system all year long!<br />
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ROASTED BONE MARROW: One day, I decided I was finally just going to try it. I had heard of it, but I felt timid. I made bone broth all the time, but had never just roasted bones and tried to do something with the marrow. How does that work?! Well, almost as easy as the broth! There is a fantastic link for bone roasting <a href="http://leitesculinaria.com/78928/recipes-roasted-bone-marrow.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, but I will include what I do as well. Below is an image of bones I've prepared just before putting them into the oven to roast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvEWp9BoYf-cWG0_b-5QR72-ofWUD-npSFMTHJHhVfoIh5jurP98po-5-Vc6g8C4bAPrvuHOmzP6k7YAiqUdmRApry-Az2RiTKz4fLsgsIZROYHXQs0bIeXVfLEg7YeBnYeKvxqcai2Y/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvEWp9BoYf-cWG0_b-5QR72-ofWUD-npSFMTHJHhVfoIh5jurP98po-5-Vc6g8C4bAPrvuHOmzP6k7YAiqUdmRApry-Az2RiTKz4fLsgsIZROYHXQs0bIeXVfLEg7YeBnYeKvxqcai2Y/s320/IMG_4627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One small marrow bone per person is plenty. You don't need to overload on it. Although, it's healing properties are high, so is it's fat content.<br />
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- Soak the bones in salted water for at least 4-6 hours to allow the salt to draw the blood out of the marrow (I just do this in the morning and throw it in the fridge).<br />
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- Place the bones onto a foil-lined pan or onto a cast iron pan so that a marrow side is facing up (you'll know what I mean when you see them).<br />
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-Sprinkle with the spices you want. I use pink salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregano.<br />
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Roast at 400F for around 15-25 minutes depending on your oven and the size of the bones. You'll know they are ready when the marrow is bubbling up at the top of the bone. I also test it by putting a meat thermometer or skewer through the marrow. If it's hard to stick it through, it's not done. When it is ready, it should go through just like it's going through butter.<br />
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In fact, the roasted bone marrow really is like a seasoned butter in consistency. When it's done you simply scoop out the seasoned marrow from one bone and spread it over a piece of toast or thick bread or whatever you like. Use it like a spread and truly think of it as a butter, since it's so fatty. Spread out over toast, it is delicious! We love to have a slice each in our home with a bowl of soup and a veggie! Even my toddler LOVES it! "More marrow and bread!"<br />
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I take my left over roasted bones and then throw them into a pot of water and still make broth. The best of both worlds! I've used my broth to make homemade stuffing at Thanksgiving, put into a crockpot with a roast and so on! I even cook my daughter's rice penne pasta down in bone broth so it's literally soaked up with all of it's goodness!<br />
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Now go out and get some beef bones and begin healing your bodies!!!<br />
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xoxo,<br />
Sarasara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-31293932288676695992016-05-17T12:44:00.001-07:002016-05-17T12:44:11.143-07:00CHEWY GRANOLA BARS!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6BErEI3owmrk0CwUTqTxpaPC67pbwFZ1Gbe2e2BOrmj97BwXzTD28bOz-e1GuBMFE59NSQ6peZZS6_WlYH7dCHKF5a3TUG4QfXSXglPSK0CCrQdEUGqRPiwZ69TVR918YIFmAzyAHdA/s1600/granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6BErEI3owmrk0CwUTqTxpaPC67pbwFZ1Gbe2e2BOrmj97BwXzTD28bOz-e1GuBMFE59NSQ6peZZS6_WlYH7dCHKF5a3TUG4QfXSXglPSK0CCrQdEUGqRPiwZ69TVR918YIFmAzyAHdA/s320/granola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear friends,<br />
<br />
I have a weakness for a really good chewy granola bar with peanut butter and chocolate chips. I've wanted to create my own for a while and have made a version I am beyond pleased with!<br />
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I'm the one who cares about the chocolate in it, so I make two sides. One for me (the bigger side since I go through them faster) and my husband eats them too and another side for my little one.<br />
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They are gluten and dairy-free and completely chalked full of goodness with all of the nutritional benefits that come along with raw honey, raw pumpkin seeds and pecans and coconut oil too!<br />
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Now, will you be able to pull these apart and watch a string of stickiness between it? No. But they will hold well especially since they are kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut and eat them!<br />
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I don't need to say much about these bars except this...they are delicious, nutritious....just make them!!!<br />
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All you have to do it throw all of the ingredients into one big bowl. I prefer mixing it with my hands and I recommend it to you. It's easier to mix everything together well and really coat everything. Then put it on parchment paper into a pan with sides and form it into a tight formation against the sides so it will stay together. Put in the refrigerator and enjoy once it's chilled!!! Keep them stored in the refrigerator!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWv9jifNtRMT4ywVkaLACoKOonuIeUO3XoG7C4o9M8xe5Z2o95cdhL1ud0ou9XfomVXmumUQ3Q6pl-7ku3Wyr7JLZJmivahBXCmJbKOlgsjo2nDWccIFi_B_VcCuzWgXfm8MFomBsZ-U/s1600/DSC_7509c+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWv9jifNtRMT4ywVkaLACoKOonuIeUO3XoG7C4o9M8xe5Z2o95cdhL1ud0ou9XfomVXmumUQ3Q6pl-7ku3Wyr7JLZJmivahBXCmJbKOlgsjo2nDWccIFi_B_VcCuzWgXfm8MFomBsZ-U/s320/DSC_7509c+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CHEWY GRANOLA BARS</span><br />
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1 CUP - ORGANIC OLD-FASHIONED OATS<br />
2 ORGANIC LIGHTED SALTED RICE CAKES CRUMBLED (ADDS A FANTASTIC CRUNCH)<br />
1/2 CUP - RAW PUMPKIN SEEDS<br />
1/2 CUP - CRUSHED PECANS<br />
1 CUP - RAW HONEY<br />
1 1/4 CUP - ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER (I USE SANTA CRUZ BRAND)<br />
2 TBSP - MELTED COCONUT OIL<br />
1/4 CUP - ENJOY LIFE BRAND DAIRY-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIPS (OPTIONAL)<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-22102045564792385142016-05-14T11:52:00.002-07:002016-05-14T11:53:26.709-07:00MATCHA TEA: FIGHTS CANCER & BOOSTS EVERYTHING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Recently, I've been doing a lot of research on Matcha tea. I've done all of the work for you here except buy a tin of it for you to try. So if you know very little about Matcha, then here is the scoop on this incredible tea.<br />
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THE BENEFITS ARE MANY!<br />
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* It is a POWERHOUSE of antioxidants! Like, seriously! One small cup (as in 2-4oz of water) contain up to 10 TIMES the antioxidants that regular green tea do.<br />
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* It contains a catechin (a beneficial and potent compound like antioxidants) called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). That's a mouthful, right? So what's so great about that thing I can barely pronounce? This EGCg makes up 60% of the catechins in Matcha and it is widely recognized for it's amazing cancer fighting properties. Even more amazing is that it has been scientifically found that Matcha contain over 100 TIMES more EGCg than any other tea available. That's a lot of goodness right there!<br />
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*It may have caffeine in it, but because of a wonderful little amino acid called L-Theanine, Matcha actually enhances calmness and focus, boost moods, and memory. And because it contains the L-Theanine it is a slow release of the caffeine which causes it to NOT give the caffeine jitters! Awesome!<br />
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* It increases metabolism and is a powerful detoxifier thanks to the high amount of chlorophyll in Matcha! And talk about an immune booster with it's extra luggage of calcium, iron, potassium, Vitamins C & A and protein too!<br />
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I could keep going, but the bottom line is that Matcha is the highest quality of green tea available. It is the WHOLE leaf ground into a fine powder rather than a dried leaf that you steep.<br />
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ARE THEY ALL CREATED EQUAL?<br />
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Heck no. You can buy Matcha, but if you want the the best of the best, then you will want the "Ceremonial Grade" tea. That means that the leaf was picked young...first harvest leaves...ground and sealed. There are "Culinary Grades" and "Daily" and so on, but if you are going to pay for Matcha (and you pay for it, believe me), then I encourage you to buy organic, Japanese (not Chinese), Ceremonial grade Matcha.<br />
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Your Matcha should be a vibrant color of green! Really vibrant! I recommend the brands Encha and Pure Matcha. I'm sure there are others out there too that are wonderful, but I did more research on these two brands because they are organic and come from small farms in Japan (and I prefer small farms rather than mass production). Ultimately, I ended up buying Pure Matcha mainly because I could get it faster at the time and I was anxious to try it! I haven't been on my personal Matcha journey very long, so I can't tell you how a Matcha latte or anything is...yet...but that will come I'm sure.<br />
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TO WHISK OR NOT TO WHISK? Okay, so long story short...before I ordered my Matcha I asked myself, "Do I REALLY need to purchase that bamboo whisk?" I mean, I'm all about the whole experience, but I have regular whisks at home and figured maybe I could get by with that just to try it. That night I had a dream (this is true). I dreamed that I tried Matcha and I loved it, but I didn't buy the whisk and quickly realized that yes, I did in fact, need that special little bamboo whisk because it just didn't blend properly. When I woke up the next day, I went with it. I ordered the Matcha and I ordered the whisk. Fortunately, my dream was spot on. I really am glad I ordered that whisk and scoop. I need that whisk to blend it just right to where it makes it smooth and frothy. Totally worth the extra $11 for a whisk and scoop! </div>
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HOW TO MAKE A CUP OF POWERHOUSE GOODNESS!<br />
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The water needs to be hot, but not boiling. You don't want to burn the powder. Remember that it is a fresh leaf that was steamed and ground and not dried out like most teas. Let the kettle boil, but then let the water sit a bit before pouring. It should be around 180 degrees. For one heaping bamboo scoop of Matcha, you only need 2-6 oz of water (depending entirely on how thick or thin you want it).<br />
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Then the fun part! Before you pour your water, use your handy, bamboo whisk to whisk the tea about just a bit to break a part any lumps then once you pour the water you will quickly whisk in a vertical motion (rather than circular). This will give you froth! I add a little raw honey to mine because I like it a little sweet, but you don't have to!<br />
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Then you sit, enjoy, reflect, slow down, sip and know that every time you do...you are giving your body an amazing, incredible and beneficial boost...creating a powerhouse within yourself.<br />
Enjoy it my friends! Happy Matcha journey to you!<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-87299249314130461542016-05-02T04:54:00.001-07:002016-05-02T04:56:39.231-07:00THE MOTHERHOOD COLLECTIVE Dear friends,<br />
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<br />
I believe that motherhood knows no beginning, nor no end.<br />
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Even little girls as young as 1 or 2 feel a maternal instinct toward a baby doll, a sibling or even animals...it is innate. There is a mother in each of us whether we know it or not or ever give birth.<br />
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With Mother's Day swiftly approaching, I'm reminded of many things and many times in my own life. As a mother myself, I'm reminded of the time, the prayer and the emotions that were invested into the years of trying to get pregnant. I'm reminded of the time prior to that when I didn't know if I was even cut out to be a parent. I'm reminded of my sweet journey through pregnancy and the daily struggles of having a new infant and the dark days of postpartum depression that I didn't even realize I was having until later in retrospect. I'm reminded of the present...the gift that God has given me in a beautiful and nurturing little girl.<br />
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I think of my own mom. Every time she got up in the middle of the night with me so that I didn't have to walk to the bathroom by myself in the dark. The innumerable pieces of toast that she brought me when I was sick. The time she took to read every novel she could to me and my brother. For every cut she tended to, every hug I received, every encouragement she gave me, every worry she has taken on...on my behalf.<br />
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Whether you are someone who is still considering whether you want to ever be a mother, struggling to conceive, dealing with the loss of a baby, struggling with dark days of postpartum depression or a happy mother of multiples with lots of advice to give...motherhood knows no beginning, nor no end.<br />
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Whatever stage you may be at in motherhood and whatever emotions you may be feeling, you must know something dear friends...NO ONE IS ALONE! Not only is no one alone, but there is a wonderful and beautiful organization that has been created with every woman in mind when it comes to their journey. The Motherhood Collective.<br />
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Whether it's joining their cafe' in person to hear generous speakers while enjoying a cup of tea and a treat, attending the playgroups to connect with other women and mothers while little ones play or you need a support group of women who TRULY understand exactly what you're feeling because they have either been there or ARE there...you will find it!<br />
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Nurture. Educate. Support.<br />
My role in this beautiful organization is such a small one, but I am blessed nonetheless to have a role in it.<br />
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I want to encourage you dear friends to seek them out. If you're not in Lynchburg, Virginia it's ok! You can now join the cafe' groups via Periscope!!!!! How amazing is that?! You don't even have to leave your house and if you're clear across the country, you can still be a part of this amazing group of women!!! Please don't let your emotions fester. Don't sit at home feeling like you're the only one who has ever experienced what you're experiencing. You're not. And I do NOT say that to degrade your feelings. It's only that I personally know that feeling...that somehow no matter what people say, no one else in the world knows what you feel like. It's not true though. There are other women who know EXACTLY what you feel like, the women in this organization KNOW and they are there for you...wherever you are.<br />
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It's amazing how even wearing a t-shirt sometimes can make me feel just a little more powerful. Maybe it's just me. But it does. It has become my favorite t-shirt and I mean that sincerely. It's comfy, it's cozy, it's cute and it means something...something to me that spans through every stage of motherhood I've been through thus far. If you would like a t-shirt that makes you feel just a little more powerful too, then visit their shop <a href="http://www.themotherhoodcollective.org/shop/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and see if there's one for you.<br />
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But in the meantime, please visit their website <a href="http://www.themotherhoodcollective.org/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
Or on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMotherhoodCollective/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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You won't regret the connection and the education and the support!<br />
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I also encourage you dear friends to consider this week...what does motherhood mean to you? Is it a memory? A dream? A struggle? Motherhood knows no beginning dear friends, nor no end.<br />
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Blessings to you today!sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-58650965497648317322016-04-29T08:08:00.004-07:002016-04-29T08:09:38.160-07:00BEE TREE SOAP COMPANY!Dear friends,<br />
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Please excuse my blog absence! My full time job outside of being a mama & wife is owning my photography business so I'm not able to blog every day like I would like, but nonetheless...I'm here today!!!!! Hello!!</div>
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So, I am not one to gush over a product if I don't like...whether I know the owner or not. In this case, I know the owners and I'm totally gushing because I truly and completely LOVE these products. With everything from Laundry Detergent, Hand Soaps, Lip Balms, Healing Salves, Deodorants and more, I have loved everything I've tried and our home is now complete with Bee Tree products. One of my favorites is this amazing Lotion Stick that also comes in a perfect travel size!!! They are local, sustainable and organic. There is nothing remotely questionable in these wonderful products and I'm overjoyed to have found them!!!! If you are not in the area, then please visit them online to see what products can be shipped to you! </div>
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P.S. Right now, I'm completely in love with the Peppermint Rosemary soap!! Oh my goodness!!!</div>
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Visit Bee Tree Soaps online <a href="http://www.beetreesoap.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</div>
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sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-15837067664233730632016-04-20T12:10:00.000-07:002016-04-20T12:18:00.945-07:00EASIEST HOMEMADE ALMOND MILK & NUT-FREE MILKS!!!Dear friends,<br />
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I didn't try making my own almond milk for what seemed like forever. Why? I don't know exactly. It seemed daunting, too many steps, too difficult, something! Anyway, I'm just glad I finally gave it a go. It was one of those things that once I did it, I was like, "Was that it?"<br />
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I will tell you this to make it easier on you now. I tried it at first with a stainless steel strainer even though I had read up on the Nut Milk Bags...go with the bag! Sooooo much easier, soooo much quicker, soooo much creamier! The one I use is below...<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=httpwwwsaraer-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01CJI2BQ6&asins=B01CJI2BQ6&linkId=6RJCREOLHTWGDMQL&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></p>
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Homemade almond milk is fresh, full of flavor and completely additive free (unlike the store bought brands). Also, with fresh almond milk you actually get all of the nutritional benefits of the almonds themselves!<br />
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Okay, so here is how I do mine in just a few simple steps:<br />
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1. Soak 1 cup of raw almonds in filtered water overnight (at least for 12 hours...this release enzymes so that it is easily digestible).<br />
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2. Drain the water and dump the almonds in a great blender (I use a Ninja)<br />
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3. Fill it up with 3 cups of filtered water & blend for at least 3-5 minutes until it's nice and white and and pulp-ish looking.<br />
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4. Pour it all through the nut milk bag into a container with a large opening and strain out as much as possible.<br />
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5. Add 1-3 more cups of water depending on how thick you want it (I transfer it to a huge mason jar and usually add 3 more to make 6 cups and shake it up)<br />
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6. Store in fridge for around 5 days.<br />
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*You can add honey or a sweetener if you need one, but we just do ours unsweetened and plain. And of course you can half the recipe or quarter it if you need less!<br />
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7. Use the fresh pulp for these yummy snack balls for you and your kiddos. Recipe for these coming soon!<br />
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Happy almond milk making! You will never want to just buy it at the store again once you taste how fresh it is and see how easy it is!<br />
<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-38177259571081202012016-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:002016-04-24T05:08:10.874-07:00CHEESE & PEPPERONI PIZZA (GLUTEN-FREE) FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qMDVpKqaeVIzQmdr1O0BnKQXAzT1WJG4jV_DrQiXjuZPc1eak6fddBYEV1bFN2wsnnl8Z092VR0P5Aw_z1xwSfbPakKRlhEasDdoFK6X1hWGBDHFtELbxdoicrcVAmYOy2fSAhZK7B8/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qMDVpKqaeVIzQmdr1O0BnKQXAzT1WJG4jV_DrQiXjuZPc1eak6fddBYEV1bFN2wsnnl8Z092VR0P5Aw_z1xwSfbPakKRlhEasDdoFK6X1hWGBDHFtELbxdoicrcVAmYOy2fSAhZK7B8/s320/pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear friends,<br />
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Who doesn't love pizza? Every kid loves pizza, every parent...it's just the way it is. I got super turned on to Joan of Arc brand goat cheese when I was still nursing my daughter, but I was just starting to bring a little dairy back into my diet to see if she could tolerate it. The first thing I did was to make pizza with it. I absolutely LOVED it and haven't gone back from it since! Here's how to do it! It's a wonderful gluten-free and healthy way to feed your family pizza!<br />
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You'll need:<br />
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~ Sami's Bakery brand Millet & Flax Lavash (flat bread)<br />
You can order straight from Sami's <a href="https://samisbakery.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or you can find it a health food store (like The Health Nut)<br />
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~ Joan of Arc brand goat cheese (find it at Kroger)<br />
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~ Garret Valley Uncured pepperoni OR Plainsville brand turkey pepperoni.<br />
This stuff is amazing....the best pepperoni I've had. And bonus...it's antibiotic-free, etc!! You can also find it at The Health Nut locally.<br />
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~ Muir Glenn Fire Roasted Tomatoes OR Muir Glenn Pizza Sauce if you prefer a sauce to chunky tomato.<br />
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~ Andrew & Everett brand Parmesan cheese (find at Kroger)<br />
Find them online <a href="http://www.andrewandeverett.com/products_grated.php" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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~ Any other toppings and herbs that you or your child might like!<br />
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Heat the oven to 350 F and spread or crumble the goat cheese on FIRST. Then add just a little sauce or tomato on top. Add your herbs or other toppings then end with pepperoni and parmesan. Bake for around 15-20 minutes.sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-4754680992185375102016-04-05T05:43:00.002-07:002016-04-05T12:16:56.140-07:00BREAST-FEEDING A BABY WITH SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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At a glance, this will seem like a long post, but I have carefully categorized each section to make this new transition the least overwhelming as possible for you. I also want to preface this with saying that while I nursed my child and that was my own personal choice, I fully realize that there are those mamas who are unable to nurse, have low milk supplies that restrict them and those who simply choose not to. This is not a post from a judgmental stand point. This is simply my way of trying to help other mothers who can or choose to nurse their babies, but their babies have strong food allergies.<br />
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This is my first installment of The Garden Body and while this post can be for any person, including toddlers and children...I want to speak directly to nursing mamas this time or to those pregnant and thinking of nursing. Next time I will be speaking directly to mamas of toddlers and children.<br />
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Every mama has a different experience and a different story when it comes to feeding and nourishing their children. I'll try to make my story short. I prayed so hard for a flawless breast-feeding experience because that was something that I personally wanted to be able to do for my child so badly and the Lord granted me flawless...as far as the actual nursing went anyway. In the course of the first 6 months of her life through different issues, we discovered that my daughter was intolerant to any dairy and had a severe chicken egg allergy. When she was a baby, I couldn't even have pepper on something or it would give her gas...forget garlic and onion! So without exaggeration, I nursed her for a very long time without dairy, egg, spice...flavor! Now, with that being said I was able to very gradually add things back to my diet in gentle ways as she got older and it was ok. The chicken egg allergy persisted though. Many people who are allergic to chicken egg though are not to duck egg because it is a completely different protein. That was the case in our family and she tolerated duck egg just fine. Sooooo, we keep ducks!<br />
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Why would I do that to myself you might ask? Why would I deny myself so very many things in food and drink just to nurse? It's simple. She was an excellent nurser! From the moment she latched on, she was a champ when it came to nursing and I didn't want her to lose out on all of the organic and preservative-free nourishment I was giving her just because I had to cut some things out for quite a while. Even without those things in my diet, she was 18 pounds before she was even five months old...so, you can see she was FAR from being malnourished. In fact, we only started to see her ankles last year! It was a dietary sacrifice that I was personally happy to make because I didn't want to rob her of what she had come to rely on.<br />
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At 3 months old we thought she had eczema. It looked just like it! All over her body! It persisted for months and then finally one night she broke out in complete hives. It was the chicken egg all along. She wasn't a refluxy baby. She didn't spit up a lot, but boy, oh boy, did she cry. She cried ALL of the time. Bloody murder...like a banshee CRY! If she was awake, she was inevitably crying. No, really! She would only be held and be held a certain way. I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice to say, it was HARD...it was EXHAUSTING...it was even worse with the food allergies, and thank the dear Lord for our pediatrician who suggested trying to cut out dairy even though she didn't show all signs of intolerance! Otherwise I probably wouldn't have cut out dairy! But I did, and about 10 after I did...she was a different baby as far as the screaming and intolerance went!<br />
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Dear mamas, if you have a newborn or infant that cries, don't just call it "colic"...it's not. It's something. Whether it's big or small...it's something. And please don't be offended, but I PERSONALLY don't believe in a baby being allergic to a mother's breastmilk. I firmly and 100% believe they can be easily be allergic to something IN it that the mother is eating or drinking or taking (since I know from personal experience), but a mother's milk is MADE FOR THEIR BABY and I just don't believe that a baby is allergic to it for no reason at all. There is a reason for everything...whether it is an obvious one or not.<br />
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Do you have a baby that cries? Do you have a baby that has skin issues? Trouble pooping? Trouble sleeping? If you're nursing then look to your milk first! There are very obvious suspects when it comes to food allergies in babies. Peanuts, egg, shellfish, dairy, gluten, preservatives.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Here are a few things to remember:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*COMMIT TO WHAT YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO TRY!</span> If you don't put aside the normal cravings and think about getting in the game then it's going to be harder. Changing a diet is already an overwhelming task, but it doesn't' have to be...not much anyway. If you're nursing, then just remember that you are doing this for your baby's little digestive system that is not matured until after 2 years old. That's a lot of food and drink in two years and it needs to be the best to give them an amazing start! Diet does NOT mean that it's not delicious. I've taught myself to create and make amazing meals that are free of tons of things and we have liked them better than what we used to eat. Commit to it mama! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I PROMISE YOU CAN!!! I'm here for you and I've been through it too!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*YOU MUST READ LABELS! EVERY LABEL!</span> Don't assume that the random can of organic chicken soup doesn't have dairy in it...or that the bread you're eating doesn't contain egg of some kind. It's actually incredibly hard to find things you love that don't contain one of something that you can't have!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*YOU CAN BE PICKY AT PARTIES AND EVENTS!!</span> Take your own food or eat before hand! If it offends someone that you have to eat a certain way for a while then they can deal with that. You have a baby to feed! That comes first! It never ceased to amaze me how people would know that I couldn't have egg or dairy and then ask me if I wanted a slice of coconut cream pie. Cream? That's dairy. "It's not much!" They would say. I would tell them I can't have any and I'm sorry. "How about a cookie?" Well, I asked if it was made with egg. "Yeah, but just one and it's baked in it." Oh my. I brought my own food numerous times to events. My own organic hot dogs, my own homemade buns and organic mustard that didn't have garlic in it and my own dessert. You just do what you have to do!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*YOUR BABY GETS EVERYTHING THROUGH YOUR MILK...EVEN THE BAD STUFF! </span>Everything you consume gets passed directly to your child. This is both a pro and a con. The pro is that if you are eating whole foods, healthy fats then your baby is also getting those amazing nutrients and vitamins and fats through you! That is the most rewarding of all! The con is that if you caved in and ran by McDonald's for a burger or nuggets, that are not only filled with chemicals and bi-parts and dyes, but it's loaded with MSG (monosodium glutamate) that can be harmful. While companies and the internet may say it's "naturally occurring" (and it is, but lots of harmful things can be "naturally occurring) it can cause physical issues in large doses and fast food contains LARGE doses. And guess what? Your baby just got every bit of it that you did. And while it's not healthy in any way shape or form for your own body, it's incredibly hard and possibly harmful on a tiny little body and tiny little digestive system that is NOT meant to consume those things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*PROCESSED FOODS ARE CULPRITS!</span> Preservatives are chemicals. If it's a processed food then it will have preservatives and often times, dye. What can these things do? There was once a family who had two children. The boy was severely ADHD (or so they thought) and was on incredible medications because he was uncontrollable. The girl was also "hyper-active" and had issues, but not nearly as bad as the boy. They were finally told by someone to try completely changing their lifestyle and diets...completely. Turns out the boy was allergic to gluten and red dye and the girl was severely allergic to dyes too. Once all of these things were taken out of their diets, it was DAY and NIGHT. They were no longer hyper-active. The boy was able to be off of all previous medications and the parents couldn't believe this miracle came from a diet change! Don't be fooled mamas...if you are nursing, then please just remember that your baby is also getting exactly what you consume.<br />
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This isn't about being on a soapbox, because I'm not on one. I'm a regular gal who used to eat junk food out the wazoo and finally figured it all out several years back that I was doing some pretty bad things for my body. I'm just so thankful that I figured it out before I got pregnant and started nursing!<br />
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If you need to nurse a baby with food allergies, I can help a bit...or I hope I can! I'm going to give you some wonderful ideas on how to feed yourself and your baby when you have to keep some allergies in mind! I will list a number of "staples" that I suggest keeping on hand and then some recipes as well! Not all of them are gluten-free, but many are.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>MY STAPLES:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">COCONUT OIL</span>: In my opinion, this is a definite. Coconut oil is one of the healthiest saturated fats available and it contains properties that boost your baby's developing brain! Keep Dr. Bronner's Fresh-Pressed and also Spectrum brand. The Spectrum is great when you want to use a coconut oil, but not get a coconut flavor along with it! When I had to be dairy-free I substituted butter entirely with coconut oils...mashed potatoes, biscuits, everything!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">SAMI'S BAKERY MILLET AND FLAX BREAD:</span> Thank goodness I discovered this amazing bread!!! Is it cheap? No. Is it worth it? Yes!! I am a bread girl. I have been since I was little. It's one of the hardest things I thought I'd have to give up because I couldn't find a good bread that didn't have some version of egg or milk in it without the extra crud too! Bingo! I found it! I do think this bread is best slightly toasted, but it's delicious! We still use it and bonus...it's gluten-free too! Check your local health food store to see if they carry it first, but if not you can order directly from Sami's! They also have the Lavash (flat breads) that makes amazing pizzas (you'll find a recipe later)!!!! Visit them <a href="https://samisbakery.com/product/millet-flax-bread/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HOMEMADE RICE MILK IS BEST, BUT IN A PINCH...RICE DREAM BRAND ORGANIC RICE MILK:</span> I bake with this all of the time. It's amazing in oatmeal too! I love making my own milks, but I don't always have a homemade milk on hand at the very moment I want something specific to bake, so I do usually keep a Rice Dream in the fridge in case!! Please note that you can totally use homemade nut or non-dairy milks here!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">AVOCADOS: </span>Another amazing fat and superfood! I use avocado for all kinds of things!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">MUIR GLENN BRAND FIRE ROASTED TOMATOES:</span> These come in a can and you can get them from the organic section at Kroger. They are perfect for adding to guacamole, mexi-dishes, pizzas and so much more!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">DeBOLES RICE PENNE PASTA:</span> A must for pasta lovers!!! I wanted a tasty pasta that didn't blow me up like a balloon like wheat did and this is truly yummy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">QUINOA:</span> Pronounced (keen-wa), it's also a super food! Nutrients galore and very versatile!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NATURE'S PATH HOMESTYLE WAFFLES:</span> You can find these in the frozen organic section of Kroger and not only are they gluten, egg and dairy-free, but they are seriously good!! Like, seriously!!!! I have tried some of the others and don't care for them as much, but we all LOVE the Homestyle ones!!! Find more info on their site <a href="http://us.naturespath.com/product/homestyle-frozen-waffle" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">ORGANIC CASHEW BUTTER:</span> A delicious alternative to peanut butter!!!!! So good on celery sticks to munch!! The Simple Truth Organic at Kroger is wonderful!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">COUNTRY CHOICE BRAND ORGANIC OATMEAL: </span>I will always choose organic over non-organic. Even if it's pricier, because to me, I would rather minimize the amount of gunk and extra yucks in our diet than not. Also, I'm very calculated about what I purchase each week, so I only purchase (on a specific grocery budget) what I know we will use that week.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NAYO</span> (mayo substitute): I'm actually not a mayo person at all. The only time I want it or use it is with my delicious turkey sandwiches following Thanksgiving. But it just so happens that I was desperate one Thanksgiving in the midst of all of my allergy-free eating. I had already successfully made an entire Thanksgiving feast for my family egg and dairy free, but I really wanted a turkey sandwich the way I liked them. Nayo isn't going to be just like spreading Dukes on your bread, but it's pretty darn tasty...especially when you really, really want it! Here's my gluten, dairy and egg-free Thanksgiving feast with all the fixin's! I wasn't about to let my dietary changes stop me from having a good meal!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">JOAN OF ARC BRAND GOAT CHEESE:</span> Yes, this is a dairy, but it's how I gradually added dairy back into my life and my baby tolerated it. Goat dairy is a different protein than cow, so often times you can use it instead, and this cheese is beyond delicious! I began making my own pizzas with it instead of regular cheese when I was nursing and even my husband loved it so much, we still use it on our pizzas and burgers and other yummy things!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY LIFE BRAND CHOCOLATE CHIPS:</span> I almost passed out when I found these! Dairy-free chocolate chips that are just like chocolate chips!!! No difference at all!! Taste is amazing! I'll share my favorite recipe from them in a bit!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>MY STAPLES FOR MEATS, FRUITS and VEGGIES:</i></span><br />
First, I highly encourage going to a local farmer's market if you have one! Knowing where your meats, veggies and fruits come from is amazing and a relief. Find out if you have one near you through Local Harvest Org, <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">BISON:</span> We have a local grass-fed bison farm and let me tell you, if you have never had a bison burger, you are missing out. When my hubby first asked me to try it, I will admit I felt weird. Bison? Like the bison on the plains that the native americans hunted? Why did it seem so odd to eat a bison burger but not a cow beef burger? Anyway, it's the most delicious, clean and tender meat! Best bison burgers I've had to date are the ones my husband smokes in our smoker!!! Oh my goodness!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">PASTEUR-RAISED CHICKEN:</span> I will never settle for store-bought chicken or meat again. If you can get it locally, through a farmer's market or health food store, then do it!! It's worth it!!! They are not given medications, antibiotics, etc and you actually get the good stuff your body needs from it! I love using a whole chicken and then putting some oil, salt and herbs on it for a tasty roasted meal! Here's an image of an herb chicken right before it goes into the oven!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">WILD-CAUGHT FISH OR SEAFOOD: </span>Do NOT, I repeat do NOT get farm-raised fish at the store. They are given the cruddiest of the cruds to eat!!! At least wild-caught is well...wild!! Orange roughy isn't a cheap fish, but it is delicious. I make one package last all week with various meals or into the next week. Also, crab legs and scallops or shrimp are great options for the omegas you need...wild-caught, of course! They all contain amazing things that really only come from ocean life that we can benefit from. I'd go with the fish first though since some babies react to shellfish.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">MARROW BONES: </span>What the heck are marrow bones? These are bones from the cow that are cut in a way that the marrow can still be used from it. Sound gross? It's actually not! Marrow is so nutritious that it's even taken by cancer patients now to build their white cells...proven to build them I might add! It is high in fat though so you can only have it so much and so often, but you can roast the bones (I'll go into it later) and spread it on toast and then cook the leftover bones down in water and veggies to create a bone broth (also incredibly nourishing)! So good for baby!!! We get these through our farmer's market and at our local health food store!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>VEGGIES TO STOCK:</i></span><br />
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BRUSSEL SPROUTS<br />
BUTTERNUT SQUASH<br />
ZUCCHINI<br />
SWEET POTATO<br />
BROCCOLI<br />
SPINACH<br />
KALE<br />
CELERY<br />
CARROTS...OH LET'S FACE IT! ANY VEGGIE WOULD BE GREAT!!<br />
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FRUITS TOO!<br />
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Okay, so those are some of the staples I would recommend for your fridge and pantry so that you have them on hand all of the time and you don't have to think too far into the future when you need to make something!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">RECIPES!</span><br />
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*SOME OF THESE RECIPES WILL BE GLUTEN-FREE, SOME EGG-FREE, ALL DAIRY-FREE, ETC* EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT WITH ALLERGIES SO I'VE INCLUDED SEVERAL OPTIONS! ALSO, SOME MAY HAVE SPICE IN THEM, BUT YOU CAN ELIMINATE THEM IF YOU KNOW YOUR BABY HAS GAS ISSUES WITH THEM LIKE MINE DID!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">BREAKFAST</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>HOMESTYLE BISCUITS</i></span> (EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I've been making these biscuits since I was a kid. I thought I would have to completely eliminate them, but by putting in rice milk and coconut oil...they were actually even better than before! Lighter and healthier!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 cup - Bob's Red Mill Unbleached All Purpose Flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tsp - organic sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - baking powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - cream of tarter</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 cup - Spectrum brand coconut oil (won't taste like coconut)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/3 cup - Rice Milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Mix dry ingredients and then use a pastry cutter or your hands (my preference) to mix in the solid oil until you have a fine crumb mix. Add your rice milk and mix and then form into small biscuits and put on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for around 10-15 minutes at 450 F.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>CINNAMON TOAST</i></span> (DAIRY, EGG & GLUTEN-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sami's Bakery Millet & Flax Bread</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Organic Cinnamon and Sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Spread a thin layer of oil to the bread and add your toppings and then toast to a crisp!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>QUINOA BREAKFAST BOWL</i></span> (DAIRY, EGG & GLUTEN-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 cup - COOKED, warm quinoa</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/2 - 1 c - almond milk or rice milk (depending on how thick you want it)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbsp - raw honey or organic maple syrup</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Blend in blender until smooth and add to bowl. Top with shredded coconut, ground flax meal and or my favorite...sliced bananas!! Yum!! This one is power-packed! It's filling, delicious, and you get omegas, proteins, vitamins, potassium, energy, etc. You can even make the quinoa the night before. Just make a big batch and use a cup at a time through the week! Have it cold or heat it up!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>PANCAKES & WAFFLES</i></span> (GLUTEN & DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>WAFFLE: </i></span>http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/03/blueberry-waffles-homemade-syrup-gluten.html</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>PANCAKE: </i></span>http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-pancake-has-arrived-gluten-free.html</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE BREAD! </i></span></span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">(EGG AND DAIRY-FREE) I've used this recipe for loaves, buns, rolls, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough...whatever! It's awesome!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://craftykin.blogspot.com/2008/10/back-as-promised-with-some-finished.html</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">LUNCH, DINNERS and SIDES</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>PIZZAS!!!!</i></span> (GLUTEN & EGG-FREE & COW DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Sami's Bakery Millet & Flax Lavash (flat breads)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Joan of Arc brand Goat Cheese</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Muir Glenn brand Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Plainsville Turkey Pepperoni (seriously just like regular pepperoni)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Whatever other toppings you like or can have (kalamata olives, oregano, basil, mushroom, spinach, etc)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Spread the goat cheese on first to create the bottom layer then build it. Bake at 350F for around 20 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>CHICKEN NUGGETS</i></span> (GLUTEN & DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/03/chicken-nuggets-whole-family-will-love.html</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>UNSPICY CHILI</i></span> (DAIRY, EGG & GLUTEN-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 pound of Bison, Beef or Venison</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 can of Muir Glenn Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 cup of water</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tbsp of oregano</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tsp of sea salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tbsp of arrowroot powder or cornstarch to thicken if needed at the end)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Brown the meat and then add the other ingredients. Now, if you know your baby can tolerate a little spice then feel free to add half of an onion, one clove of garlic, 1 tbsp of chili powder...but if you're like I was and can't do those then the simple version is still tasty!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>HOMESTYLE CORNBREAD</i></span> (GLUTEN & DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/03/homestyle-cornbread-gluten-free-dairy.html</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ORANGE ROUGHY </i></span>(FISH)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Put bits of Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil on top of the fish, fresh lemon juice and some sea salt. Bake on top of tin foil in a pan (no mess) for around 15 minutes at 400F</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>ROASTED VEGGIES</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Cut brussel sprouts in half, cut chunks of sweet potato, broccoli, beet, etc</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Pour just enough Olive Oil over it to cover all of the veggies in oil by mixing it with your hands. Sprinkle some sea salt on top and roast at 400 F for 25-30 minutes! Stir every now and then. SOOOOO GOOD!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>SWEET TATER FRIES</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Cut it into long chunks like fries and add enough olive oil to mix them with your hands and some salt. Roast at 400 for around 20-25 minutes! Stir every now and then. Add fresh parmesan cheese if your baby can have dairy</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ROASTED RED TATERS</i></span> (THESE HAVE SPICE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">About 3-4</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Cut them into small chunks. Add olive oil, sea salt, smoked paprika, freshly ground pepper, garlic powder (about 1/4 tsp each). Mix with your hands and roast at 400 for around 25-30 minutes, stirring every now and then.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>PORTABELLO MUSHROOMS</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 large portabello mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Drizzle a little olive oil on the top. Then add crumbled goat cheese. If your baby can tolerate spice then I highly suggest adding some green onion and fresh jalapeño pepper to your cheese before crumbling!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Roast at 400 for around 15 or so minutes until hot!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>UNSPICY GUACOMOLE</i></span> (I LOVE GUACOMOLE, BUT I COULD ADD ANYTHING TO IT HARDLY WHEN I WAS NURSING, BUT A BIT OF SALT AND LEMON GO A LONG WAY WHEN YOU NEED IT TO!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 ripe avocado</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">half of a lemon squeezed</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp of sea salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Blend until creamy!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">add hot sauce or onion, etc if your baby can tolerate it!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>HUMMUS</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Believe it or not, my favorite hummus isn't homemade. I just can't seem to get it creamy enough. But I love a brand from Kroger called Fountain Of Health Traditional Hummus. It does have garlic in it so beware...but other than that it is wonderful and healthy! Garden of Eatin' brand corn chips are my favorites!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><i>OTHER DINNER IDEAS</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">BRATS, SAUERKRAUT, BREAD AND GOAT CHEESE</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">BISON BURGERS ON MILLET & FLAX TOAST WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES OR ROASTED TATERS</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">MARROW & BREAD </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://leitesculinaria.com/78928/recipes-roasted-bone-marrow.html</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">SKEWERS ON THE GRILL (TENDERLOIN OF BISON OR VENISON OR BEEF OR CHICKEN WITH YOUR CHOICE OF VEGGIES) </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">This is an excellent way to get in some meat and veggies during the warm spring and summers days!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">DESSERT</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>CHOCOLATE CHIP BLONDIES!!</i></span> (THIS ONE IS EGG, GLUTEN & DAIRY-FREE AND TOTALLY WORTH IT IF YOU NEED A CHOCOLATE FIX)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://enjoylifefoods.com/decadent-blondies/</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>CHOCOLATE PUDDING</i></span> (EGG, DAIRY & GLUTEN-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 ripe and soft avocado</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbsp - Rice Milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tbsp - Raw Cacao</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbsp - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Use a small processor to mix together until very, very creamy....which is why you need a very soft and ripe avocado for this one. Taste and tweak if you need it more chocolately or more sweet and you can also add more Rice Milk if you don't want it as thick!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">EVERY OCCASION CAKE (GLUTEN, EGG & DAIRY-FREE)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/03/every-occasion-cake-gluten-dairy.htm</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>IN CONCLUSION</i></span><br />
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Dear friends, if you have made it all the way to the bottom of this than I must say one thing: THANK YOU...you must care enough to read so much about a different way of eating for yourself and your baby.<br />
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Let me end with one last word of encouragement. If you are a mama to be and want to eat in a different way or a nursing mama who has a baby with severe food allergies...you are NOT alone. I and many other mamas have been there too! But YOU CAN DO IT!! If you are able to nurse, genuinely want to keep nursing and have the drive to change your diet to accommodate your baby...YOU CAN DO IT! I did and I do not regret a single moment of it. In fact, I'm very grateful in so many ways because it opened my eyes up to a number of new foods that I never would've thought to try otherwise. It made me WANT to create my own recipes to accommodate my growing toddler in a healthy and un-crudded way. It was so hard at first to change because as a nursing mama, I was hungry ALL of the time and I felt as though I couldn't eat anything in the beginning of the diet transition...I was wrong and I am forever grateful for that necessary change. YOU CAN DO IT MAMA!!! I'M HERE FOR YOU!!!<br />
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May your endeavors and your milk be blessed and abundant! xoxo - Sara<br />
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sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-55267991629180424262016-03-30T11:13:00.001-07:002016-03-30T11:13:53.237-07:00NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THEIR CAPABILITIES!Dear friends,<br />
<br />
We realized at a VERY early age (as in around four months old) when our baby could actually hold a book in the correct way to look at it that we should never underestimate the understanding and capability of a very young child. So rather than restricting our daughter, we have strived to enable her as much as possible with the things she wants to help with and do on her own. The Montessori method lends to this greatly, though we don't necessarily just do "Montessori"...we just kind of take threads from different things and weave our own pattern.<br />
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As the months and years have gone on, I still find myself from time to time, forgetting how very capable she is...even at 2.5 years old. Recently, I pulled out our Jenga game and had the intention (the very mom of a toddler intention) of just pulling out the blocks and letting her create and build with them. Then I thought...wait...maybe I should just try explaining the game itself and see what she wants to do with it. So I did. I set it up and explained that she had to touch the blocks with yher fingertips very gently to feel for only the loose ones and then she could push or pull those out and set them on top in the right pattern.<br />
<br />
Okay...so I'm REALLY glad that I decided to explain it and give her the choice as to what to do with it because I then sat ASTOUNDED as I watched my 2.5 year old actually playing Jenga by herself and doing it RIGHT! As in, 29 stories high right!! Like, for real! On her own, no help, carefully manipulating the blocks as I explained. Boy, was I wrong to want to just scatter blocks and let her build. She would've enjoyed that too, but this seemed to be the challenge that her little mind and fingers were truly seeking!<br />
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I realize that this will not be the case with every toddler. If you set up Jenga for your tot, then all they might care about it kicking it down or building. That is completely fine!! Have at it! However...I will say it just once more...NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THEIR CAPABILITIES!<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-30132398533859400102016-03-26T11:32:00.002-07:002016-03-27T09:30:13.927-07:00 GLUTEN, DAIRY & REFINED SUGAR-FREE EVERY OCCASION CAKE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqtLb7sD2S6J_AyvlQ9AyvW11ipcYLiNfhGLRrgX2bX8_nZG7FYakIBP6-hTBAWhyaQMi4GM8bWZbRNFqee_zEOt_qymmox2evdH3qWg3ByVjwFyrKVRLDN-3J6tXBZ5p62wHkR883A4/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqtLb7sD2S6J_AyvlQ9AyvW11ipcYLiNfhGLRrgX2bX8_nZG7FYakIBP6-hTBAWhyaQMi4GM8bWZbRNFqee_zEOt_qymmox2evdH3qWg3ByVjwFyrKVRLDN-3J6tXBZ5p62wHkR883A4/s320/cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear friends,<br />
<br />
I am considering this my biggest recipe success to date! Here's the history on the why. I love creating healthy alternatives for my family to eat. My daughter already recognizes what a "birthday cake" looks like from images in books and television and so on. I wanted to be able to make her an actual cake for her birthdays to come. One that I can frost and color (naturally) and make look special and well...like a "birthday cake." I don't think you have to miss out on aesthetically pleasing foods just because it's healthy. I rarely bake with sugar, even though we use raw and organic sugar. We have bee hives and so I have honey available to me. I realize this is not the case with most, but that's why I use a lot of honey in my recipes. I don't know if a gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free cake sounds easy to create...but it was NOT! Baking without gluten is tricky enough, but you take away dairy and take away sugar and it's beyond tricky! It felt impossible! I've been pretty successful with many of my recipes right off because I'm becoming more and more familiar with which things work together, but this cake!!! I had several fails...I became a little down-hearted about it, I won't lie. I thought maybe it's just not possible to achieve what I'm envisioning without some of those ingredients I was trying to keep out. I even did some searching of gluten-free cakes online to see if I was missing some key in it all. But I couldn't even find a cake recipe that excluded all three of those things! Well, when I have my heart set on something...I keep trying. I tried again with a new thought train and was amazed to get the consistency I wanted. The taste though was terribly off. So I tweaked it...and...I DID IT!!!! I was ELATED!! I did it! I actually created a gluten, dairy and refined-sugar free cake that cut like a cake, looked like a cake, was moist, fluffy and DELICIOUS!!! It's the perfect cake for any flavor icing or putting fruit on or whatever! I just had to share that first because this is such a huge recipe-creating victory for me! From here on, I can tweak my icings and colors and so on, but for now, I want to share with you this wonderful recipe that I worked so very hard on to make just right! I had three bowls (4.5", 4" and 3") that I purposely used to create a mini three-tiered cake, but you could easily make them into cupcakes or a round sheet cake! Just fill whatever you use 2/3 of the way because it will rise! Of course you can use your own frosting, but I created two icings that were loved by all who tasted them (free of the three...gluten, dairy, sugar) and I'm sharing those too!!!! Make sure your measurements are exact and read my directions! Happy baking!!!<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">EVERY-OCCASION CAKE!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tbs - White Rice Flour (all flours are Bob's Red Mill Brand)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Tapioca Flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Potato Starch</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">4 tsp - Baking Powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1/4 tsp - Baking Soda</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">3 tbs - Organic Maple Syrup (do NOT use any syrup other than real, organic maple)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Rice Milk (NOT vanilla)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">8 tbs - Unsweetened Organic Applesauce (I used Kroger's Simple Truth Brand)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tsp - Vanilla Extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 - Duck Egg Whites - OR 4 CHICKEN EGG WHITES</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">**VERY IMPORTANT - I USE DUCK EGG WHICH RENDERS A MUCH LIGHTER AND FLUFFIER BAKED GOOD THAN CHICKEN EGG** USING CHICKEN EGG MIGHT NOT BE THE VERY SAME**</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Melted Coconut Oil</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Throw it all in one bowl and mix it with a hand beater for around 2-3 minutes. You will notice that the batter will fluff up because of the egg whites and start to look a bit foamy. That's what you want! The egg whites keep it light and mixing it longer creates more air in the batter, so that when it bakes, it renders a light and fluffy cake!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">*Use non-stick items if you must, but to oil the bottom of your pan, USE THE TINIEST BIT OF COCONUT OIL ON YOUR FINGERS...THE TINIEST. It only needs the bare minimum! It doesn't need a layer of oil! If you use more than just enough to make the bottom feel a little slick then it might make the bottom of the cake too wet.*</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fill your pan(s) 2/3 of the way so that it can rise!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Bake at 350 F degrees for at least 20 minutes and then begin to watch it. It might take up to 30 minutes depending on the oven or the pan you're using, but start checking it by 20 minutes and do the toothpick check in the middle to see if it comes clean.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">*LET IT COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE REMOVING THE CAKE FROM THE PAN* Otherwise you risk losing some of the bottom of your cake.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">LOVELY LEMON ICING</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">4-6 tbs - Arrowroot powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">8 drops - Lemon Essential Oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tbs - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">splash of fresh lemon juice</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Now, the icings are a little tricky only because you need to start small and then add on if you need to. You want it thick, but keep in mind that it will firm up greatly once it's been refrigerated. You will also need to taste it to see if it's the sweetness you want. You might want to add more honey or lemon to it depending on what you want. If you want more of a frosting and fondant type of consistency then you need to refrigerate it a bit first to let it harden some.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">CHOCOLATE ICING</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1 tsp - Raw Cacao Powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">3-6 tbs - Arrowroot Powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">2 tbs - Raw Honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Again, you may need to add more honey or arrowroot depending on your preference.</span>sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-9332571521250009142016-03-24T11:57:00.001-07:002016-03-24T12:03:33.375-07:00CELEBRATE YOUR TRIBE (OF WOMEN)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
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As women, I believe that we find it very difficult to accumulate very many "true friends" in our lives that are women. I know that I personally don't trust easily and I don't open up to everyone just to open myself up. I know that when I come across another woman who I can trust, open up to, lean on, cry to, act like a fool with and know that that person is a prayer warrior on my side...let me tell you sisters...SHE BECOMES A PART OF MY TRIBE. I have a very small tribe of women, but they are my tribe and when I become true friends with someone, I am fiercely loyal.<br />
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If you have these kind of women in your life, then I encourage you to CELEBRATE them and celebrate what you share! It may be a spa getaway or a night out on the town or all huddled together for an old movie with blankets, popcorn, chocolate and tissues. I have lots of ways I love to spend time with the women in my life, but when it comes to celebrating them altogether...I find that TEA is the perfect way to bring us in.<br />
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There is something having tea with friends that is quaint, cozy, quiet and familiar...almost like a story that you know you've read or heard many times and can't quite place...but you love it.<br />
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It is very rare that I can get my "tribe" together, but oh the joy it brings me when I do! I'm sharing a gathering we had one morning with you to perhaps inspire you to create an intimate and cozy breakfast gathering for your own tribe of girls...the ones you need to laugh and cry with.<br />
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This particular gathering was the first I had been able to have with everyone after I had my daughter. Each of these women played a pivotal role in my life either throughout my pregnancy, the first year of having her, or both. They each were someone that I truly could not have done without...especially during that time. A very specific word came to my mind when I thought of each woman and the role they played and I wanted them to have something special from me to know just how much they meant. I found this wonderful shop on Etsy and had custom tea spoons made for each of my girls with the word that described them. It was all very special to me. You can visit her shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/165237979/get-well-spoon?ref=shop_home_active_16" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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Who is in your tribe? I mean, REALLY in your tribe? Celebrate them! Let them know that the waters run deep! Life is short friends. I don't say that to sound cliche', but to affirm the need to celebrate those we hold incredibly dear to our hearts!<br />
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For me, a breakfast made from scratch...homemade biscuits & scones and fresh honey from our hives, duck eggs from our back yard, fresh fruit and organic black tea with cream was the perfect way to bring my tribe together. What is it for you?<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-86829040120623478942016-03-22T12:16:00.003-07:002016-03-22T12:17:37.421-07:00OUR CUSTOM PLAY KITCHEN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Last year I finally had the opportunity to use a great and super cheap piece of furniture that I'd found at a yard sale a couple of years back. I knew when I saw it that I might be able to create some kind of play kitchen from it because it already had a nice opening in the side for storage and a little pull-out piece that I imagined could be an island or cutting board. So my husband and I put our creative skills and wood-working skills together and came up with a play kitchen for our girl that we are very proud of. It's customized just for her with all of the little things I knew she would love using. I made felt foods for her to play with and created little additions like her own recipe box and so on. Needless to say, she LOVED it! I realize that you don't always stumble upon a cheap item you can use for such a project...and perhaps you don't feel you have the creativity in you to make one. But may I encourage you to try? It doesn't have to be elaborate. It can be made from a cardboard box and a bowl and scrap fabric if you want. Whatever you choose to do though, enjoy it and your child will too! They thrive off of challenges and imagination...the more constructive they are allowed to be, the more you will see them blossom in so many areas! If nothing else though, I hope that our project may inspire you to give your own child more creative play options if you don't already!!<br />
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We love tea parties around here, so it only felt appropriate to have a lovely little English-inspired kitchen to work out of! I used a thin piece of wood I had and used Modge Podge to adhere my Rose and Crown sign (which I designed and printed on paper through my computer) to it and wood burnt the edges to create an old look. Cardboard, paint, glue and a little piece of clock fabric I already had made the clock on the top! The base piece of the kitchen is what I found at the yard sale. My husband cut into the front and we created a little chalkboard cabinet so that she easily access her pots and pans.<br />
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Our toaster oven came with a rack that we have never needed to use...until NOW!!! It worked perfectly as her oven rack! So glad I kept that! Another cut square in the front and an old 5x7 glass frame served as the oven door! I even found a little touch light at the Dollar Store for the oven light.<br />
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This little teapot is one of the few things I didn't have laying around. I found it at an antique store by chance and couldn't have asked for a more perfect kettle for her little kitchen! My husband cut a circle into the top of the base and we used a small Wilton cake pan for the sink, a painted wooden peg for the faucet handle and a painted letter "J" (turned upside down) for the faucet!<br />
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I used little plywood pieces I found at the craft store for the shelving and added them to the back of a framed, burlap canvas I had.<br />
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I found this adorable pink basket for $1 at the Dollar Store to hang her "produce" in!<br />
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Felt tea cup, plate and bagel!<br />
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I used ticking stripe fabric and canvas I had to make a little tea towel and apron for her.<br />
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Mmmm...little felt pastries! I made this little stand for around 69 cents out of two wooden items I found at the craft store! Just a little paint, glue and lace!</div>
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All in all, I only actually spent around $25 to create her kitchen since I had so many little random and scrap things around to use. You can do it too!! Remember, you can use an old box, a trunk, bowls, towels, cans and spoons you may already have. Even if it doesn't turn out like the dream kitchen you wanted...just let your child explore and imagine!! It will be a kitchen to them...or anything they dream it up to be that day!<br />
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-17329153118129219292016-03-20T11:09:00.001-07:002016-03-20T11:11:49.175-07:00EASTER WEEK: A TODDLER JOURNEY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEV8S1L9q-xvVwLmRJ8XbzEBZoO8ggbBV5m2MVSiovzJwprPbZQPtDzJsumRDDftHsVsust-LZS-Cdw3Js2svwTVgykaetOwg2WGz3c59kZ7BwUU9j_MZhyETwvKT1dZv1iFsyCwaW3Y/s1600/DSC_5372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEV8S1L9q-xvVwLmRJ8XbzEBZoO8ggbBV5m2MVSiovzJwprPbZQPtDzJsumRDDftHsVsust-LZS-Cdw3Js2svwTVgykaetOwg2WGz3c59kZ7BwUU9j_MZhyETwvKT1dZv1iFsyCwaW3Y/s320/DSC_5372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dear friends,</div>
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Everyone is more than entitled to their own beliefs and traditions at Easter. My family and I personally believe that it is the time that we recognize that Jesus sacrificed his own life through persecution and then death on the cross for the sake of our selfish hearts so that we could have the CHOICE to live with him in heaven after we die. Three days after he was nailed and murdered on the cross...he ROSE from his tomb and was ALIVE!!! The ultimate miracle and display of God's awesome power and purpose.<br />
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However, I also love the fun of eggs and such at Easter. I grew dyeing eggs and hunting for them and receiving a basket and so on. Like Christmas, there are special things that remind us about life and gifts at Easter too and we will definitely have fun with those things throughout her life. But while my little one will be hunting for eggs and receiving a special gift from us, we also want to allow her to learn about Easter in a different way...a foundational way so that she gains a Biblical understanding of Easter.<br />
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At Christmas, I had created a Nativity Journey for her all month long that was just perfect for her age! It was fun, it was something to find each day and we learned so much about the journey itself. So, here at Easter, I've created a mix of things...egg hunt, scavenger hunt, activity station, song and story. Here's how today (Palm Sunday) will work as we begin our Easter week here in our home:<br />
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-She will hunt for one egg<br />
-Inside that egg there will be pictures of what she needs to find<br />
-On the last item found there is the story (reference from the Bible) to go along with that day<br />
-Today, she will need to find a donkey, five "palm" leaves (ferns in this case), and the bag of blocks<br />
-We will use the blocks to build the temple that Jesus will visit and recreate a scene using the donkey and leaves<br />
-We will have leaves of our own and listen to the story.<br />
-We will end with song and dance..."HOSANNA!"<br />
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Happy Easter Week to all of you as we approach a humbling holiday. And happy first day of Spring!!!! Yay!!!<br />
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Would you like to print my cards and follow along with your own version? Just click on the image below to see the original size. Then right-click and "Save As" to your computer to print! Enjoy your own Easter Journey!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Sunday Easter Card For Folding Into An Egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bible Story For Palm Sunday</td></tr>
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<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948250237052193483.post-66990759896744432742016-03-18T10:56:00.002-07:002016-03-18T10:58:35.567-07:00TODDLER & CHILD: THE MAGIC OF FLOWER ARRANGING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnXKbWnTvFAj9XYWGb6pwcyVc03PeDfRiObLiqI3RkQXuBpJFIUeC3__v69ne0wMYoDQcOu86NedeC4iK29YeDbH75kRibJFly8HAiMOqsSeGWoTvp7DcZU84schJJlM_Fk4wTuA1P-o/s1600/DSC_3737c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnXKbWnTvFAj9XYWGb6pwcyVc03PeDfRiObLiqI3RkQXuBpJFIUeC3__v69ne0wMYoDQcOu86NedeC4iK29YeDbH75kRibJFly8HAiMOqsSeGWoTvp7DcZU84schJJlM_Fk4wTuA1P-o/s320/DSC_3737c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whether you have boys or girls, toddlers or school-aged children, I firmly believe that there is a beautiful reason that nature seems to touch each of us deeply. For some, it's the crunching of leaves, falling snow, the sound of the waves or the sand under our feet. Maybe it's lying in grass or finding animals in clouds or even just sitting on a porch listening to a rain storm...whatever it is...it's wonderful and magical. As we are entering Spring, the earth is waking up and flowers are beginning to bloom. One of my favorite things my husband did for me a couple of years ago was to create a cutting garden for me because I just love having fresh flowers in the house. It's small and perfect. There is a variety of different little flowers growing in there and there has been nothing better than allowing my child to be a part of it with me. If you have even just pots or a small space to create a flower garden, I highly encourage it. Flower arranging is calming & therapeutic and it's a wonderful way for toddlers and children to be creative and feel independent. </div>
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We gather them in a basket together and I give her as much choice and freedom with it as possible. Last year she wasn't old enough to work with any kind of scissors, but this year she will be able to help "safely" cut them with me. We put three different jars or vases out with water in them on one of her tables so that she can easily access everything. </div>
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I let her go with it! She has freedom to choose which flowers in which jar and how many and so on...she absolutely loves it! She chooses where they go in the house and carries them there herself. Again, it's just a simple way of allowing them creative freedom and they will be so proud of their accomplishment. Even a school-aged child would love this. They can put it in their own room...or give to someone as a gift. Boys can be creative with it too...flowers if they want or add in some ferns or sticks or whatever you might be able to find so they can CREATE! It doesn't have to be just flowers to make an awesome arrangement out of nature!</div>
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Cut some flowers, do some filling of jars and then enjoy a glass of Lavender Lemonade outside! See my previous post for the recipe <a href="http://saraernst.blogspot.com/2016/03/lavender-honey-lemondade.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
<br />sara ernsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17161985162072484034noreply@blogger.com0