Food, Inc........

(to better read the suggetions above, click image)

~ Where does YOUR food come from? At the suggestion of a friend, my children and I recently viewed the documentary, 'Food, Inc.'. We were able to order from our library system , but you could also order from Amazon. What a convicting documentary! DO you know where your food comes from? I didn't. I had heard about the factory farms, and the animals conditions, genetically modified seeds and pesticides, but feel much more convicted and better informed after watching this and highly recommend it for every family to watch!

I've also recently read 'The Omnivore's Dilemna' and a book that I couldn't put down ( book review coming soon) 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle'....I can't recommend them enough! So what am I going to do with this information to improve the health of our family?

Well, first....we will continue to cook from scratch, and not purchase processed foods. We will also be looking into making (instead of buying) things like pickles, ketchup, mayonaise, and yogurt...or do without. We will also being trying harder to look at meat/poultry as a 'condiment' or a side dish....but more info to come, when I can process this longer and write down a plan. One thing we will definitely be doing is sewing up some bags for the farmers markets that will be starting up soon....and getting our canning supplies ready.

One thing we can all do is watch, 'Food Inc.'. Michelle, from She looketh well blogspot, is having a giveaway of a gift certificate for $75 to US wellness meats....yes, $75 for organic HEALTHY meat! Check it out here http://shelookethwell.blogspot.com/2010/03/7500-give-away.html and if you watch it and want to enter the giveaway, please, in your comment on Michelle's blog, mention that you heard about it here.

I highly recommend watching 'Food Inc.' to everyone who cares about the health of their family. I know organics can be much more expensive than traditional foods, but, knowing that God will lead us in the way we should go, I trust that this is His leading in our family,and that He will provide means and guide our choices. More to come about how small changes, responsability and 'going green' can add up to health and help us be better stewards of the earth our Lord gave to us. God bless! ~Sue~

Knitted together...

I wish I could post more often lately, but it has just been so busy around here! LOL With WARM, SUNNY weather, we've been outside so much soaking up the sun and fresh air and/or lots of activities this week...but one of the best ones were being able to spend time with friends! Due to my little ones being sick so long over the winter, we did not get to see our friends very much at all...and oh, how the Lord has blessed us with good friends!

The above picture is of my friend, Renee and I knitting. She is the much more advanced one on the right...and has actually been teaching me a couple new stitches. I've been crocheting for years, but am DETERMINED to master knitting! (hence the lack of blog posts as well...I'd rather have yarn in my hands than the keyboard!)
Two wonderful resources...I especially like the knitting pocket guide on the right. I was able to get the knitting one and a crocheting one to carry in my craft bag...perfect size!

~After an afternoon at the playground and visiting with the Williams', I had a very pleasant surprise in a phone call from my dear friend, Stephanie, from Ohio....she was only in Pittsburgh for a couple of hours and could I get together? We had a wonderful visit at Eat N Park, just us girls! (after being with 13 kids all day, it was NICE to chat uninterrupted! LOL)

And THEN....today was our annual homeschooling workshop/curriculum fair. I got to see and talk with lots of friends that I don't get to see very often...and I've been thinking ever since....the Lord really has been so kind to me to bless me with lots of like-minded friends....friends I can laugh with, cry with , pray with and mutually support. We've been able to carry our friendships over with our children, as well. Seems the Lord knows exactly what I need when I need it! I think being home with sick children all winter, myself having fibro flareups, the TONS of snow and the uncertainty of my husband's job ( we still don't know anything)....really got me a little depressed....which is very unlike me. Usually, I am the optimist...the glass is not just half full, it is over-flowing....but it has been a hard winter for me. I was able to share this with some friends from church at our small group....and humble myself and ask for prayer...and after talking with some friends the past two days....I think this was a particularly hard winter for many people.

I am so grateful to the Lord for 'knitting' me together with Godly friends! I know the support, the 'listening ear', the laughter and encouragment that we offer to each other is a priceless gift! ~Sue~

Real Food Nutrition...Rawsome Italiano

Real food...the way that God made it. That is what He has been guiding our family towards more of for 'whole food' nutrition. We've tried lots of supplements over the years...from multi-vitamins, iron, probiotics...I think we've tried most of them and some work well, but the idea of getting all or most of our nutrition from real food was intriguing to me...so I started the research. (anyone who knows me knows that I love to research!) The Lord kept leading me back to the raw food movement...with all the nutrients, fiber and enzymes intact. I was blessed to get some books and a nifty little kitchen gadget and away we went! Above is a picture of a recipe that has become a family favorite...even getting 2 thumbs up from my 5 year old daughter AND my 'meat & potatoes' husband! It is called "Rawsome Italiano". I'll post the recipe below.
This is my "spiralizer"...I found it on Amazon after reading about it being used in a lot of raw food recipes. It will either make 'ribbon' looking veggies, similar to pasta or (our favorite) it will actually make the veggies very similar to angel hair pasta. This is what we did with the zucchini.
Look at all of that yummy green goodness!

~I've been trying to add as much raw veggies and fruit thru out the whole day as I can get into everyone...along with culturing our own kefir and kombucha, both of which are loaded with tons of enzymes and probiotics. We've been having kefir berry smoothies in the mornings (with lots of unsweetened frozen berries), green smoothies around lunch (with romaine, spinach and different frozen fruit)...along with veggies and fruit...a raw 'salad' of some sort...either this zucchini recipe, or 'anti-cancer' slaw or salad...and another kefir smoothie before bed. Some days, I feel as if I am drinking all day long! LOL

The above recipe is from a very cool book called "Alive in Five" by Angela Elliot. Here it is! (this is how we modified it to our tastes...we do not do olives, but you can throw them in!) To your health! ~Sue~

~Rawsome Italiano~


1 zucchini (we used 4 thin ones for our family of 6)
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped
1/5 sweet onion, chopped
olives
salt/pepper
fresh parsley for garnish (we used fresh chives)

Using a vegetable peeler or spiralizer, cut the zucchini into long, thin strips to create "vegetable spagetti". Mix in the rest of the veggies and toss. Pour sauce on top and garnish.

Sauce

6 Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, soaked for 15 minutes
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (I used dried)
1 green onion, chopped (I used 1/8 of an onion)
2 tbslp olive oil
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. agave nectar
salt/pepper/oregano

Process in food processor until smooth....pour on veggies right before serving.
Enjoy!

Growing up....

My beautiful daughter, Sara. Sara is my 2nd oldest daughter and she is 14 1/2 right now. Did you ever have a child that was so very much like you? Sara is very, very much like her mother in so many ways! Lately, with having such a wide age range around here, I see evidence of growing up in all of my children....the past few days it has been my Sara....One of the ways that Sara is very much like me, is that usually she feels the need to learn from her own experiences and mistakes...rather than learning from others....and something is a great idea....if it is HER idea. You can probably imagine the 'discussions' we've been having around here....two strong willed women! LOL
As part of my girls education, I am insisting that they learn simple sewing, crocheting and maybe knitting (crocheting and knitting work both the right and left sides of the brain at the same time, increasing cognitive ability, problem solving skills and creativity) ....more importantly, they are required to know how to cook and bake from scratch...a skill that I feel they will need all of their lives.
So...I told Miss Sara the other evening that she should pick either a knitting project or a crochet project....or I would assign one to her. Well...she was NOT happy with this idea, argued eloquently against it....until I told her that she had 10 minutes to decide or I would. Sara came out 10 minutes later and said "Let me try the knitting"....well, it took me a week of concerted effort to teach myself knitting and it was slow going....Sara got it in 5 minutes and said "oh, you mean like this?"...and off she went! Then, she said "Let me try the crochet again and see which one I like better"....so I gave her a hook....and she fell in love with crocheting and yarn! Meghan and I are so happy that Sara now shares our love of YARN and crocheting! After a little bit, I said to her "Do you have anything that you want to say to me?"....Sara sheepishly grinned, and said "I'm sorry for arguing, Mom...you were right"...now why don't children just do it the first time without arguing?! LOL Now we can't get her to put the hook down....you now regularly hear "just one more row?!" from both Meghan and Sara now! LOL

Yesterday, after a long Sunday, Sara asked if she could make a pie since it was "3-14" day. I asked if it would be gluten free...and again...she wanted to do it "her way"....I gave my permission, while resigning myself to eating no pie. About 1/2 hour later I walked into the kitchen to find her making a gluten free apple pie....how wonderful! I asked her why she changed her mind, and she said it would be just as good and she wanted me to eat it too....and wouldn't you know, her GF pie crust turned out better than mine!

~A good friend reminded me last night, " didn't you say she was just like you?"....and I've been thinking of it ever since. How can I best teach and train Sara, especially as she is naturally growing up and becoming independant...since she is as strong-willed as I am? I think we will have a talk today about working together....before I know it, she and Meghan will grown and gone out of our home...and I want Sara to learn how to channel the strength of will that the Lord gave her to serve Him and do His will....and how to surrender to someone else's authority...and to do it gracefully.

She is such a sweet daughter! I don't know what I would do without my 'Sara Sunshine'! My daughters are growing up into my very best friends...the ones I want to tell things to first...to share all of our interests with....to pray together, to learn together, to serve together.....Love you, much, Sara Bear!!!!!! ~Love, Mum~

Spring Joy!

~I saw this wonderful sight out of my kitchen window and ran for my camera....this just said "Joy" to me today! Anna was enjoying herself so much just swinging on her swing...singing to herself and enjoying the warm weather and sunshine! I loved the look of her totally enjoying herself....with her little pink boots on, pink tights, bubble gum shirt...and all the snow still around her. It was so warm today!

We had all the windows open, dusting and sweeping...moving some furniture around in Anna's room, adding chest of drawers for more organized storage. It felt so good to have all the fresh air in here! While dinner was cooking, I so enjoyed sitting on the deck in my rocker talking with Meghan, just enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. We're all so happy that Spring is finally here! Can't get any happier than a little girl finally able to 'swing up to the sky' again! Going to bed with windows open tonight....Happy Spring! Enjoy the fresh air! ~Sue~

My girls....

Today was a "girls only" day! While Ron & Ronnie did their "guy things", myself and my 3 darling daughters went thrifting!

Thru out the day, for some reason, I was more aware than usual how very DIFFERENT my daughters all are! It is a little difficult to tell with my little Anna, how she will be as a young woman, but since she takes so much after Sara in most ways (and yet uniquely "Anna"!), I will be curious as to her oldest sister's influence on her in the future.

Meghan, as the eldest, is very mature, an "old soul" so to speak. She loves anything old-fashioned...vintage. Meghan also is very domestic...she loves anything having to do with homemaking, and is very good at these things, as well! Meghan is very creative in the 'domestic arts'...that, her writing, and her beloved piano are how she expresses herself creatively. Meghan tends to "mother" everyone...a trait that is very much like her mother! She also tends to be a little bit of a 'perfectionist'...and is harder on herself than anyone. Her style is traditional and feminine.

Sara, my 2nd daughter, is SO MUCH like me!!! She is a 'rebel',(very much like me!) ...highly intelligent, and always has to know "why"....very imaginative and playful. Sara
is also very creative, making bead jewelery, writing beautiful song lyrics and poems, loves to worship dance and has a great eye for color. Her personal style is very 'eclectic'...playful and funky...very Sara! Sara is still finding areas where her creativity flows....actually, Meghan & I both are as well! I guess you can always find new ways to be creative.

My Anna....my little 5 year old girl. She, as well, is ME!!! She never walks...she skips, dances, bounces and twirls thru life right now....with her own individual sense of style...she really is getting better at matching! LOL She is now very into coloring...planning her own colors rather than "following the pattern"...she, too, is very much like her mother. :)

We had a nice time today, talking, singing...checking out a few things at Michael's as well.

I'm finding that each one of my girls needs something different from me, as their mother. (of course, my son does, too....but as the only boy here, he treated "manly" to begin with from all of us) But, no matter what age they are, they all seem to need Mom's approval (I know I still like my mom's approval) ...even if I don't agree with some of their choices in colors or styles....they need to know that I accept their individual likes/dislikes and sense of style. (of course, well within our modesty expectations for our daughters)

On my journey of mothering for the past 16 1/2 years, one of the things I was thinking of today was how the Lord created each one so special and unique. Even though Anna is very much like Sara, she is not completely like Sara...and I see little bits of each one of my daughters in each other....and a lot of myself in each one. I am so grateful to have these precious daughters!!! Knowing how quickly Meghan & Sara are growing up and will probably be gone within a short time, sometimes make me think about what a short time I have with all of my children and what eternal truths does the Lord want me to teach them....what skills and lessons have eternal value? They say more is 'caught' than 'taught'...and I hope that all of my children will learn from observing me that the Lord showers grace on sinners...and since no one is perfect, to imitate the only one who IS....Jesus...to walk in His ways, and to be grateful for His love and forgiveness everyday. Thank you, Lord, for these precious gifts of my children! ~Sue~

Do your Best!

Tonight was the annual Cubscout Blue & Gold banquet for Pack 215. It was also a celebration of 100 years of scouting in America. It was a wonderful celebration and our whole family attended!

One of the reasons that it was so special, is that my husband, Ron, was a cubscout and then a boyscout when he was young...now Ronnie is following in his footsteps. They teach so many lessons...duty to God, duty to country, obeying the laws of the pack, service, teamwork, leadership...as well as lots of wonderful 'hands-on' skills, survival skills and good old-fashioned fun! Last year, for Ronnie's first year, Ron & I were den leaders. This year, we help out by opening our home for all the den meetings, and helping in any way that we can. I especially love the "Father and Son" memories that are made!

Lot's of great friendships are made along with fun memories for the boys. Ronnie and his friend, Caleb, seem to have forged a special friendship over this past year.

The skit this year had the boys being "indian" braves, pounding on drums, and honoring the pack chief, who will be moving onto boyscouts and a new pack chief will be taking over...my good friend, Diane.

Wolf Den #10!!!!

~Way to go, guys! Lots more fun and adventure awaits us in the future! ~

Mother.....

My "Best Friend" just got back from being out of town for 9 weeks....my mother. Oh, how I've missed her! She is my biggest 'cheerleader'...my children's biggest fan. The older we both get, the more we have in common and like to do together and share. I'm grateful that she is not living 11 1/2 hours away anymore, but is only about an hour away...but I wish it were only 10 minutes! Today, we spent the whole day with my mom and step-dad. What a relaxing, fun time we all had! Simple luncheon when we arrived, the little ones played, Ron was able to relax and watch a Dean Martin Variety show with my step-dad and laugh a lot....Mum and I lay on her bed talking and laughing....sharing books we love, and catching up. They will be leaving soon for another vacation, but will be back in Pittsburgh after that. Looking forward to a fun summer visiting with them! My mom....I missed her a lot while she was gone!

She made one of my favorite meals...the one usually reserved only for my birthday....her famous "chicken bucket" chicken! I helped her make it so I can borrow "The Bucket" and make it for my dear friend, Jolyn...yes, Jolyn....I will make it for you!

The best chicken in the world!

She brought Anna back a baby doll that Anna named 'Clara'...and calls her a rub-a-dub dolly.....Anna is so excited!

Buppy picked out marbles for Ronnie and a real sling-shot....he can't wait to target practice outside!
She gave Anna a hair cut....she always used to cut our hair...and still trims mine when she is around.

My wonderful mom and step-dad! We love them so much and are glad they are back from being 'snow birds' in Florida! Of course, they came home to over 2 feet of snow...but after relaxing for 9 weeks...I think it might be refreshing for them! LOL

~My mom and I have always, as long as I remember, had a special relationship. Growing up, she was always there, she fostered our imagination and creativity, my love of books......and as I got older, she was always there for me, no matter what I was doing...and now, we share so many of the same interests, likes and dislikes. The same type of relationship that I want to have with my own daughters...now, and when they have homes of their own. What a wonderful day we all had!

~Thanks for a great day, Mum! Love you very much! ~ Sue