What Will Kill Our Children

This post is linked to 30-Minute Blog Challenge @ Steady Mom.

It is estimated that one out of every three children in the United States is obese.  It is an epidemic.

This video is one of the absolute best I have seen in making this real.  Please, please watch even just a few minutes.  Jamie Oliver is now on my list of favorite people.  I love his message, I love his delivery (he is funny!) and I hope as many people as possible can view this video.  Please share this with those you love.  Share it on facebook, email it, tweet it-get the word out and save our children!

Homemade Household Cleaners

These are CHEAP, biodegradable, and easy to make!  I love that the ingredients are not harsh, and I can put my girls to work without worrying about them coming into contact with harsh chemicals.

I've already posted on this basic cleaner, here, but here it is again:

Basic Cleaner

1 part vinegar

2 parts water

Put in spray bottle, shake.  I use this for almost everything...glass tables, counters, microwave, sinks, etc. (some times I do 1 part water to 1 part vinegar for more strength)

Scrub Cleaner

Baking Soda

Splash of vinegar

Good for grout, showers, tubs, ovens, stoves, sinks...

Disinfectant Cleaner

Hydrogen peroxide

Put into a dark colored spray bottle (light breaks it down) and use it to disinfect cutting boards, toilets, whatever..

Floor Cleaner

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup vinegar

2 gallons hot water

1 tablespoon dish soap

 *Can add 1/2 cup borax to make it a disinfectant 

This post is linked to:
Thrifty Thursday @Tales From Bloggeritaville

My Anti-Procrastination List-It's A Doozie!

As most of you know, I tend to procrastinate on things.  I've had some success in this area, but I want more!  I have found in the past that lists and accountability both work for me, which makes me very excited about "Anti-procrastination Tuesdays." If you read my "Anti-procrastination Tuesdays" post, you know that I will be doing a weekly link party (starting this tuesday, March 9th) where we can all share what we tend to procrastinate on, and what we have accomplished each week.

 I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish, and have been jotting things down as they come to my mind.  I have come up with quite a list, which honestly is quite overwhelming to see how long it is!  I have to keep reminding myself that one step at a time is the way to go, and that I won't be alone, because I am hoping you will join me on tuesdays to GET THINGS DONE!

 Below is the list I have together so far. I'm sure there is more that I am missing, but this is more than enough of a start! I thought sharing it with you would be a great way to be held accountable, and very convenient for me to have a running list of goals I want to reach on our tuesdays together.  I will cross things off as I accomplish them and also add new things, then share the highlights at "Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays" party.

Parenting:

chore charts for the girls, remade

make a master chore list 

print and hang a list of ideas kids can do when I hear "I'm bored!"

faith box for family prayer requests

continue ongoing birds and bees conversation with my girls:)

girls to write thank- you's more regularly

discuss allowance with Todd

year round Joshua Tree 

new ideas for family devotions
"power of 3 chart"
routine charts made

People:

"get in touch with regularly" list

have grandparents for brunch

have women's Bible study group social in our home

keep up on emails, twitter, facebook, texts and phone messages-get a strategy

General:

find lost library book

pay school $2.10 for forgotten lunch 

whiten teeth

workout

clean out trunk

buy bolt for bike

go through family wardrobe

bring out spring/ summer clothes

pack up winter clothes

get rid of ants in basement-ew

put pics in frames and hang them up

decorate for spring

make laundry detergent

read a book a month (ongoing)

white board hung up

mirrors hung up

laundry under control

sort my clothes

take stuff to goodwill

make exercise a regular part of my week-ugh.
plan lil' ones bday party

Reorganize:

storage area in basement

 craft closet

'boogie' study closet



Appointments:

dentist

yearly physical

allergist

eye doctor

Papers and Lists:

organize paper in sorters on desk

reorganize filing cabinet

Binders:

print recipes used regularly, put in binder

revamp emergency numbers/instructions binder

menu plans

print organized addresses; put in binder

make binder for magazine articles

Computer:

computer safety family contract.

delete unwanted facebook emails

organize bookmarks on computer

organize stickies

add to kid sites

put addresses in mac online address book

learn how to make an imovie

birthdays into ical

groups and smart groups in address book

organize itunes

explore smart playlist, make some new ones

order guinea pig food and hay online to have delivered regularly
videos to dvds


organize reader, make "daily reads"folder

organize starred items in reader

organize my tweet deck

get more familiar with twitter

Cleaning:

wash windows

clean grout on tile floor

clean behind stove/refrig

clean all ceiling fans

clean all light fixtures

clean mini blinds

clean shutters/windowsills

vacuum furniture

Blogging:

create Amazon store 

review some products

do a give-away

Projects:

paint laundry room


paint bathroom

Photos:

delete unwanted photos

back up photos onto cds

print photos

label photos





Outside:

read up on gardening

call community gardens to reserve spot

In The Kitchen:

make homemade tortillas

try making homemade yogurt

make/freeze some make ahead meals

Circus Ponies Online Notebook: (it is an online, virtual binder)

make craft notebook

make recipe notebook

organize poetry notebook

make hairstylist notebook

make womens ministry notebook

list of books to read

make inspirational journal on notebook for blog ideas

Whew!!  Good thing there is no deadline to most of these things (ok.. maybe the ants:))

Do you plan on joining in on "Anti-procrastination" Tuesdays?  I'd love to have ya!

If so and you are a blogger, feel free to get my button from the sidebar to invite others to come.

This post is linked to:
Works For Me Wednesdays @Rocks In My Dryer

Homemade Granola Bars

I have wanted to make homemade granola bars for quite awhile now.  I just can't stand how expensive they are at the stores, and so full of hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup or sugar!  I've seen several recipes for granola bars, but I am not sure I will need to try any others out after tasting these! They were very easy to make, made a big batch, and tasted super yummy.  They are great for the lunch box or an after school snack!

I found the recipe at Kitchen Stewardship.  I will need to continue to look around and find more recipes on her blog, she earned my trust with this one recipe!

Homemade Granola Bars
41/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter, softened* (I did 1/4 c butter and 1/4 c peanut butter. YUM! I'd like to try coconut oil instead of butter in my next batch)
1 cup honey (I used 3/4 cup, +1/4 cup water, then added 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chocolate chips for more sweetness)

Add-ins: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped walnuts, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, coconut etc)

Lightly butter a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and honey together first, then add all ingredients except add-ins.  Beat hard until combined.  Stir in add-ins.  Press mixture into the pan, really press so the bars don't fall apart. (I used my hands).
Bake 325 degrees for 25 minutes until golden brown.  Let it cool at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars.  Let it cool completely in the pan before removing and serving.
This recipe makes at least 20 good-sized bars, which as Kitchen Stewardship said, "might be equivalent of 3 boxes of Quaker chewy bars.  Even though butter and honey are on the pricey side, it still works out to be nicely frugal"

More thoughts from Kitchen Stewardship below:

Transformations:

• Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and skip the chocolate chips
• Use 1/2 cup natural peanut butter in place of 1/2 cup of butter (tried this today – it is divine!)
• The honey flavor is very distinct in this recipe, but when using peanut butter, it almost disappears.  I’m wondering if PB is sweet enough that I can cut out some honey and just use water instead.  ??
• Crumbs in the bottom of the storage bag?  So yummy over homemade yogurt with fresh fruit.

this post is linked to:
Tasty Tuesday Parade Of Foods @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Show and Tell Wednesdays @ Blue Cricket Designs
Real Food Wednesdays @ Cheeseslave

Homemade Scented Gel Paints

I found this idea linked on a blog called Scribbit, who found it on a blog called In A Nutshell (and that, my friends, is why I love blogland!)

My girls thought it was great fun to make these, and I loved how fast, easy and cheap it was!  Think about how much gel paint costs, just for those itty bitty bottles!  This made quite a bit of paint. Oh, I just got an idea...how about mixing some glitter into these?  Star shaped glitter into the blue? Now that would be special--scented and glittery!
I think these would make a great little gift, each jar tied with a bow, set in a basket with paint brushes, stencils and a pad of paper.  Too cute..

Scented Gel Paints
1/2 c. Cornstarch
21/4 c. Cold Water
Food Coloring (we used the new "neon" colors by McCormick)
Flavoring extracts (we used vanilla, almond, peppermint and maple)
4 Small Heat Proof Jars (preferably little wide mouth Mason Jars)

Add cornstarch to a medium sized sauce pan.  Whisk in water and turn heat to high.  Whisk constantly being sure to get into the corners.  When all the paint base has come to a gel like consistency, immediately remove from heat. (this happens very quickly once it is hot, watch carefully.  Ours were almost too thick because I did not take it off the heat quickly enough).  Let cool a couple of minutes, then divide evenly into 4 heat proof jars, being careful as it is still hot!

Now is the time to add your food coloring (I used 5 drops of McCormick Neon! colors in each jar.
Add 1/8 tsp of your flavoring extract of choice to each jar.  Mix vigorously with a spoon until your paints are evenly colored.

*These paints will stain, so keep child's clothes and work surfaces covered.
Enjoy!

This post is linked to 

30 Minute Blog Challenge @ SteadyMom

Real Beauty, Fake Beauty

from Dove.com

For Valentines Day, we got our girls gift cards to Clair's jewelry and accessories.  We didn't buy them very much candy this year, so we thought a $5 gift card would be fun for them.  They loved it! We spent almost an hour in that little store as they decided what to buy.  We really got lucky, they had 80% off their clearance items, so that small gift card was able to purchase quite a bit!

Makeup (along with hair accessories and jewlry) was chosen by all 3 of them- glistening lip gloss and shimmery eye shadow.  They have had much fun playing dress up, and my oldest has even left the house with a bit of shimmer on her eyelids.  I thought about demanding she go wash her face, but it was just a hint of shimmer, so I let it go.  Later I decided that for us, this was a molehill, not a mountain. (heavy black eyeliner would be a mountain:))

Instead of getting all uptight about them using makeup, I stayed pretty relaxed about it.  I wanted to see if they would be responsible, and figure out the line of what is appropriate and what is not, on their own.
They have really done a great job, and I am very proud. My younger 2 have been playing dressup much more than usual with their new purchases, and my oldest has been experimenting with different shades and layering, which makes me smile to see the artist in her.  She has come to me and asked, "mom, is this too dark?  can you see it?  is it appropriate?"  The makeup they chose is made for kids, so the pigment is very light and see through, so it has not been a problem.

What it has done is open up some beautiful conversations about---beauty!

We have a saying in our home that is often repeated in various ways.  They go something like this:

*"What matters most is the inside"

* "It's the insides that matter"

* "What do your insides look like right now, are they as pretty as your outside?" and...

*"AHHH! I can't even look!! AHHH! your insides!!!"

(must say this dramatically, while squeezing eyes shut, when insides are not too pretty,which usually gets a giggle and then there is beauty again.)

 My girls have heard me say these phrases so many times! When I can tell they feel beautiful and are flaunting it, I tell them how pretty they look and many times follow it up with, "but..do the insides matter or the outsides?"  I even hear them ask each other that question while playing "dress-up." Pretty cute.

My oldest has been fun to watch lately.  She loves fashion, and likes to look unique.  She works with very little clothing, (most of which comes from thrift stores or garage sales) and is able to make great outfits, some I would never think to put together!  I love to see her express what her idea of beauty is, and I love that it doesn't always follow the crowd.  I try hard to let her be who God made her to be, and keep my focus on what her heart is telling me, instead of getting wrapped up in what I would want her to wear.  As long as she is modest and age appropriate, I'm a happy mom.

We have been having some deeper conversations about beauty, and I've let her watch the videos below.  I want to give her a realistic view of what is beautiful, and how the world can distort beauty and tries very hard to redefine what is beautiful.  We talked about how God is the ultimate artist who created us all to be different and unique, and how the world's message says "everyone needs to look a certain way to be ok," which is a lie.

Lightbulbs went off as she watched.  She was fascinated by the artistic side of what computers are capable of doing, and also seemed to "get it."  At the end of the first one, she said "she isn't even 'her' anymore"  which was the perfect opportunity to talk about how we can lose who we really are if we are too focused on our outsides.  It was a bit deep for her, but I know it was one more time to let truth sink into her little brain, even if it was just a nugget.

Had to add that last one.  I watched in disbelief, not knowing weather to laugh loudly or to be very frightened.  I kept thinking "oh, my, word, that is nuts!" and "I think this might give me bad dreams, both the before and after!

"Anti-procrastination Tuesdays" Link Party

I'm always thinking about topics to blog about, and usually I just share what I am doing in life.  If I am making a certain recipe, I share it, if we are doing holiday crafts, I let you know which ones, etc. 

 I've been trying to think of a way to motivate myself to take care of things that I have been putting off, and this brilliant:) thought popped in my mind "I should do a weekly post on anti-procrastination, so I will be forced to do something each week to share with my readers!"  

Not only will I be held accountable to deal my tendency to procrastinate, but here is the best part--ready?  WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER!  Hence, my very first weekly"link party!"  I am so excited!

As most bloggers know, a link party is where other bloggers can link up  posts on a similar subject, all in the same place (in this case, my blog since I will be the host). Then we can "visit" each others blogs, and get inspiration and MOTIVATION!  Not a blogger?  No worries, you can join in by sharing about your anti-procrastination of the week in the comments section, or you could just click through list of links, to read up on what other people have done, and hopefully become inspired!  

You may be one who does not struggle with procrastination, (Flylady & I call you people BO's-"born organizers." I also call you "lucky dawgs" and "people I'm really jealous of") if you fall in this category, I WANT TO LEARN FROM YOU! It would be great if you could leave a blog post or comment with a tip or two of what DOES works for you!

If you are one who struggles with procrastination, you are not alone!  Please come back each week on tuesdays and link up! Tell us your thoughts, show us pictures of what you've accomplished or want to accomplish...it could even be a post showing us what you have been putting off, so that we can give each other tips or encouragement.  It could be big or small, from making a dr's appt to tackling that overflowing storage room. 

I think this is a GREAT opportunity for me to get real with you!  I've joked with my sister that the pics of my cobwebs and dust don't quite make it onto the blog.  We both agreed a "let's get real" post was in order.  Now with Anti-procrastination Tuesdays, you will see and hear about my junk and hopefully that will motivate me to GET BUSY!

So Let's Recap:

-Anti-Procrastination Link Party @ New Nostalgia on Tuesdays, starting March 9th.

-If you are not a blogger, join in by commenting!  Share with us what you have accomplished or would like to accomplish, or just enjoy visiting the different blogs that link up.

-If you are a blogger, share any post you have written about procrastination. It could be sharing about something you've accomplished, sharing tips on how to get motivated, or sharing different goals you would like to eventually get to.  Any post on something that you have accomplished, past or present, works!  I want to see those before and after pics-- I'll show you my junky gunk if you show me yours!

-Can be big or small...finishing a report, taking a load of stuff to goodwill, working on a project with a child, signing yourself up for jujitsu (why not?), cleaning the car, cleaning the shower head (on my list), etc..

Here is a button if you would like to pass the word along (ohh, that button.  You don't want to know how long it took me to make that ^%#%$@! button!  It is not a perfect button, but it is two o'clock in the morning right now and I won the battle, er, sort of, and I'm feeling quite proud).  The button will also stay in my sidebar for future need.

Bloggers, if you have continued to read this far,  if this is something that excites you, or if you know others whom it may excite, I would be honored if you would help get the word out.  Feel free to grab and share my button, or even just give the post a little "tweet" by hitting the retweet button.  I am still pretty new at this blogging thing, so I for sure need my blogging community to spread the news.  

Readers, I'm humbly asking you for help, too!  If you know anyone who you think would get into something like this, feel free to share this post via facebook, twitter or email.  

It may take awhile to get people to participate, but that is ok!  I am pumped!  You don't know how badly I need some motivation to get stuff done!  Spring is a comin' and I got stuff to do!!

So what do you think?  Leave a comment and let me know..