Heavenly Homemakers

Encouraging women in homemaking, healthy eating and parenting

Feeding the Family: More Organic Food Resources

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It’s been quite a while since I wrote a “Feeding the Family” post. Apparently I’ve been too busy feeding my family to write about it. You can catch up on the rest of this series here.
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Way back when (give or take) I talked about some of my favorite online or co-op resources for organic whole foods. I’ve been doing a little more research to see what other options are available. I love that it IS possible to feed our families good, whole foods without breaking the bank (or travelling 400 miles)!

Here are a few whole foods sources I’d like to highlight today…

Azure Standard

I know I mention them often, but Azure Standard is my favorite source for ordering food. This link will tell you if Azure Standard delivers to your area. And guess what?! This fall they are working to expand to parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. I’d recommend looking into this more if you live in any of these states!

Quail Cove Farms

Quail Cove Farms is a family owned farm specializing in natural and organic foods. They supply free-range meats and eggs, hormone-free cheeses and butters, and organic produce. If you live in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and North Carolina you should check them out!

Country Life Natural Foods

Country Life Natural Foods is a wholesale and retail distributor of natural, organic and vegetarian foods. They are located in Pullman, MI. It seems that you don’t have to be a part of their food co-op to order, but that you can just have your items sent to you through UPS.

Peapod

Peapod is an online grocery store for those of you who live in:  Chicagoland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York,  New Jersey, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia…and I think they have expanded to Wisconsin! I love that you simply place your Peapod order and they deliver your food right to your door! They do charge a small delivery fee but it is very reasonable (it’s less than what I pay for Azure to deliver).

Peapod has a whole line of organic products. I looked through their fresh organic produce and couldn’t believe all the great selection!!! I would LOVE to have that kind of variety of organic fruits and veggies at my fingertips. They also have quite a few choices of frozen fruits and vegetables…some natural sweeteners…and several other things that I would definitely buy if indeed they would be willing to drive to my doorstep in Nebraska. You’ll receive free delivery for the first 60 days after placing your first order. Plus…get $10 off your first order at Peapod. Click Here!

Amazon

Amazon is a great place to shop for organic groceries. Yesterday I spent some time looking through their grocery section and couldn’t believe all the pages and pages of organic foods. Most of their food items qualify for “super saver shipping” (which is free) because the cases of food are over $25. (And because the food is new, not used. I’m always much more inclined to eat food that isn’t used, aren’t you?)  Spend some time looking through all the Amazon grocery options.

Frontier Co-op

Frontier offers many varieties of spices, herbs and teas, plus quite a few toiletry items. You can order directly from Frontier, but I recommend starting a food co-op with your friends so that you can receive their products at wholesale prices and receive free shipping. As far as I understand it, Frontier will deliver anywhere in the US.

Okay everyone. Help us all out with more great online and/or co-op resources. I know we all live in different places so please leave comments telling us all what resources you have in YOUR area so that we’ll all know what is available to us wherever we are.
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This post is linked to Frugal Fridays.

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Ah the Pictures that a Blogger Doth Take

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A few nights ago I was talking with a friend of ours here in town about his potato container. He and his wife followed this tutorial back in the spring and are waiting anxiously to see the results of  their months of work.

As our conversation was wrapping up I said, “Hey, be sure to get some good pictures when you dump out your container!”

He nodded politely and said something like, “Mmhhhmmm. That’s a good idea.” (But he had a look on his face which told me that he had no idea why I would suggest such a thing.)

And then I realized:  Laura! Only certain bloggers take pictures of every cotton pickin’ thing they do. Most people do not feel the need to take a picture of their potato container experience. Or of the food they buy on sale. Or of the dirty laundry on their bathroom floor.

I offered my friend a way out by saying, “Oh yeah…never mind. You have to remember that I’m a blogger and this is the way I think. I’ll take a picture of MINE when I dump out MY potato container. YOU just get your potatoes and go make yourself some dinner.”

Like I said in this post…only a blogger takes a picture of newspaper stuffed into stinky shoes. 

To prove my point, here are a few picture examples:

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I took this picture one night when Matt pointed out that our boys had arranged some lovely “reading material” on the back of the commode. I’m wondering…how many of you have a picture in your computer picture file named “toilet.jpg”?

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Or how about this with a picture of what looks like a mother (that would be me) cutting off her son’s ear. It’s just that maybe someday I’ll blog about how to give a boy a haircut. I have a whole file of these kind of pics, oh yes I do.

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Here we have a creation our oldest came up with one day while snapping green beans. I happen to think it takes a lot of talent for a child to spell his name with long green vegetables and I wanted to remember the moment forever.

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Ah yes the classic black banana picture. Hey, I had some really deep insights to talk about and needed a picture to illustrate.

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Check it out. The whey has separated from the curd.

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A funnel, a balloon and some lentils. A memory to last a lifetime.

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Fuzzy balls with googly eyes. I think I got these centered very well in this picture. I’m not bragging or anything, but I must say it takes talent to take such an amazing shot. I mean, no matter where you are, it’s like the eyes are looking right at you. Okay, not really. But I made you go back and look again, huh?

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Don’t even ask me how this shot made it’s way into my picture file. 
I did not take this picture. I do believe it’s time to delete it. Yes?

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This is what happens when you let your son pretend that your fifty pound wheat bag is a pinata. Note to self (and to whomever it may concern):  When a wheat bag is hit with the blunt end of a light saber…it spews forth a steady stream of wheat. All over the kitchen floor.

Well, that was fun. And completely pointless.

Oh but you just wait. Not only am I planning to take pictures of my “dumping out the potato container” experience…I may even video tape it. 

As I complete my crazy picture file tour I have just one last thought:  I sure hope I take as many pictures of my children as I do of my casseroles.

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Hooray for Tropical Traditions!

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I can’t recommend the products at Tropical Traditions highly enough. Everything they sell is pure and good. I feel absolutely safe putting these products into our bodies and/or onto our skin.

Some of my favorite Tropical Traditions products are:

And…I’ve learned all kinds of wonderful information in Tropical Tradition’s Virgin Coconut Oil Book that you can ALL receive for FREE if you are a first time customer to Tropical Traditions!!! This book is loaded with wonderful information and recipes! Please also be aware that I receive Tropical Traditions credit if you are a new customer purchasing through my links. See my full disclosure policy here.

Tropical Traditions has been a wonderful blessing to our family and I’m VERY happy to share this resource with you!  Go check them out!

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High Five Recipes: Super Simple Chip Dip

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High Five Recipes 2

Here is a very easy recipe to put together for a quick lunch or snack. Or, double the recipe to take to a party when you’ve been asked to bring a finger food.

Super Simple Chip DipYum

1/2 pound hamburger meat
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream or kreme fresh
Tortilla chips (We like Kettle brand, which is made with organic corn)

Brown hamburger meat. Stir in salsa and sour cream or kreme fresh. Serve with chips. (See? Simple.)

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What kinds of High Five Recipes are you interested in seeing more of? Main dishes? Side dishes? Desserts?

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Gratituesday: Precious Memories

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I was able to take a little trip down memory lane over the weekend when we went to Kansas. First, let me give you a little background information:

I grew up in the very same house on the very same farm my entire first eighteen years of life. The first time I lived somewhere else was when I moved into my college dorm room.

When I was a sophomore in college, my parents moved to another farm. After just a few years of not being lived in, the house I grew up in (which was very, very old) became quite run-down and not livable anymore. The owners chose to tear it down.

So the place where my dad and his wife Tacy live now is actually not the house I grew up in. Matt and the boys never got to see the house I grew up in. Kinda makes me sad. When I tell them of my memories growing up, they picture them in the wrong house.

No big deal really…but this weekend I had a big urge to show my family where I grew up. I don’t know why I hadn’t taken them by “the old farm place” before. This trip, I just felt like I needed to.

We headed over there right after church Sunday. Since that’s where this tour started…I took a quick picture of the inside of the church building I was “raised in”. This is also where Matt and I got married 15 years ago. 

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Before we went to my old home place, Matt drove us by my grandparent’s farm. Someone else lives there now. Ah, but I saw Grandma’s garden area and clothesline and the old shed. You have NO idea how badly I wanted to get out of the van and run down the driveway to see if my boxcar was still back there. I actually really don’t want to know if it isn’t there anymore. I’m just going to imagine that it’s right where I left it twenty-some years ago.

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We drove the mile and a half from my grandparent’s place to the farm where I grew up. I thought I might be emotional about being there again, especially since hardly anything was left. Instead, I was elated! I was pointing things out to Matt and the boys and getting breathless about the things I was showing them. In the above picture, there is just prairie grass where my house used to stand. I wish I could walk through that house just one more time. 

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Here’s where the big red barn used to stand. Now there is just a big field of maize. If you know this story, then this picture will give you a nice chuckle like it gave our family. “Hey kids, here’s our big red barn!”…”What big red barn?” If you don’t know the story, go read it. BUT you must know that while I am responsible for the fact that there is no longer a barn here…I had NOTHING to do with the fact that the house is gone to. m’kay?

 

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Here’s the big huge shed that just a couple of weeks ago caved in. I told the boys that I used to shoot hoops in there and they were impressed (and also surprised). “You DID Mom?”

I realize that to most of you, these shots are just pictures of prairie grass and run down buildings. I guess that’s really all they are. It’s hard to capture all the things I was feeling when I was standing back on my home place. 

Millions of memories of my mom came flooding back. Memories of all the things I used to do as a little girl. Memories of playing in the yard and working in the garden. Good grief…I even had fond memories of the pigs when I stood there that day. 

It was glorious. I’m going to go back there again sometime soon.

Precious, precious memories.
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Please join us for Gratituesday! Write about what you’re thankful for on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for!

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Menu Plan for the Week

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This weekend we made a very quick 24 hour trip to KS to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday. It was a fun time to see family even if it was only for a few hours!

A big thank you to everyone who’s been sending pre-school activity ideas and pictures for the FREE preschool activity ebook I’m putting together! SUCH great pictures! I appreciate the ebook titles ideas also…be sure to offer your title suggestions here!

Here’s our menu this week:

Monday, August 31
Whole wheat waffles, bananas
Black bean salsa with chips, nectarines
Grilled chicken, ranch potato wedges, green beans

Tuesday, September 1
Crepes with jelly
BLTs, angeled eggs, raw veggies
Hamburger hashbrowns, steamed carrots

Wednesday, September 2
Blueberry bagels, cantaloupe
Chicken quesadillas, peaches
Venison roast, carrots, potatoes, gravy

Thursday, September 3
Omelets with red and yellow peppers, orange wedges
Homemade pizza pockets, steamed broccoli and carrots
Tacos, grapes

Friday, September 4
Vanilla custard, strawberries
Black bean and rice bowls with salsa and kreme fresh
Lamb-burgers, homemade onion rings, watermelon

Saturday, September 5
Scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, clementines
Corn dog muffins, peas
Grilled steak, baked potatoes, green beans

Be sure to sign up for the Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway if you haven’t already…I’ll be drawing a winner Tuesday!
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For more menu planning inspiration, check out Organizing Junkie!

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Your Preschool Ebook – Question #45

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I’m working hard right now to put together the new free ebook full of fun pre-schooler ideas! Wow, you all are amazing, you know that? Talk about some super fun ideas of activities to do with the little people in your life!

THANK YOU for your wonderful response! Because of you, this ebook should be a wonderful resource for moms and dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, babysitters, teachers, ANYONE who loves children!!! 

Here’s what I need from you now:

  • Any last minute preschool activity ideas you may have. (Email your ideas to me please:  laura at heavenly homemakers dot com)
  • Pictures of the activity or idea if you have them…and if you don’t mind them going into the ebook. (Again, email the jpg to me please)
  • A TITLE for our ebook!!!

Leave a comment with your title suggestion for this ebook. The book will be free to everyone. It will be full of ideas, activities, recipes and games for young children. 

After reviewing your title suggestions, I’ll put a poll up here so that everyone can vote for their favorite!

Okay, let’s hear your creative and brilliant title ideas!

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More About Soaking Grains (or not)

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Thank you all for a wonderful discussion on this post and through emails about whether or not soaking our grains is necessary. 

Talk about confusing. :)

After reading all of the comments, did any of you reach any conclusions?

I’m not sure if I’ve reached any definite conclusions, but I’ve been researching it more and talking with my husband about it.

I also decided to try emailing Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions. Guess what? She wrote me back!

Here’s the main part of my email to her:

Recently on my blog I posted about whether or not it is necessary to soak grains in order to break down the phytic acid and aid in digestion. There are differing ideas out there and I’d love to help my readers be well informed.

This is the post I wrote. Because of reading Nourishing Traditions, I’ve believe that it is important to soak my whole grain before cooking. However, I’ve never found any other
information that recommends soaking grains (aside from Dr. Mercola who simply recommends not eating them at all!). I even found an article suggesting that soaking is completely unnecessary.

And here is Sally’s reply:

Before yeast became available, the only way to make bread was by fermentation–sourdough fermentation. Also, if you look at Handbook of Indigenous Fermented Foods, you will see that the practice of fermenting grains–for breads, porridges and beverages–is practically universal.
 
Fermentation/Soaking not only neutralizes phytates (which DO block mineral uptake), but also tannins, enzyme inhibitors, etc, all things very irritating to the digestion. Also, there is recent research on gluten intolerance, showing that sourdough fermentation makes bread tolerable to those with celiac disease.
 
Personally, I get very sick if I consume unsoaked/unfermented whole grains, but do fine when they are properly prepared.

Best, Sally

I felt it interesting to note that some of you mentioned that healthier or not, soaking whole grains can help breads to have a nicer texture. 

Here’s where I think I’ve landed on this issue:

As much as I can, I will soak my grains. I truly can tell a difference in the way my stomach responds. I love my soaked pancakes and waffles and biscuits. Soaking homemade tortillas is easy. Soaking my breakfast cookies and breakfast cake adds great flavor and isn’t any trouble. I’m working on perfecting my sourdough bread which is the most traditional way of baking bread. 

But, if I don’t get around to soaking every single muffin or cookie, I’m not going to sweat it. It’s still whole grain (since I use freshly ground whole wheat flour) and it’s still better than white flour. 

One thing I’m going to work on is simply not eating as many grains in the first place. Fruits, vegetables, grass fed meats and raw dairy give us more nutrition and should be more of a focus than grains in our diets. 

I’d love to hear where you landed on this issue. What do you think will be best for your family?

Now, regarding all of this talk about grains, I’ve received TONS of emails asking me to recommend a grain mill. That post…coming up soon.

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Homeschool Hubbub: Great Books and Resources

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At your request, here is an idea of some of the books we’re using this year for school:

Bible:  We’re starting off the year reading through the book of Luke together in the mornings during breakfast. Matt does scripture memorization with us all during lunch and dinner (I can share more about this if you want). Also, two days a week I’m using Proverbs for Parenting to teach the boys more about studying the Bible (and hopefully we’ll all gain a little more Godly wisdom while we’re at it).

History:  We’re studying American History this year, reading most of these books from Sonlight.

Geography:  Since we are learning American History this year, I felt it appropriate to do a unit on US Geography. I put together a portfolio packet of activities and lessons for the boys with things I found at the library. They’ll also do special projects and maybe write a paper featuring a state of their choice.

Also, I was SO excited to find a States and Postal Abbreviations ebook from Joy at Five J’s which goes right along with what we’re studying this year. It includes writing activities and flash cards so the boys can practice and learn easily.

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Click here to view more details

Science:  We’re doing a unit on weather based on this book. Then we’ll try to get through several of these books to learn about how things work.

Reading and Read Alouds:  We’re reading a TON of great books this year either individually, or out loud. To list them all would take up a lot of space here, but I pieced together packs of books for each of the boys based on what I felt they were ready for. Check out Sonlight’s book lists if you ever want anything awesome for your kids to read, or to read to your kids. You can not go wrong with Sonlight book recommendations.

Spelling:  I’m using Spelling Power for Asa (age 12). This year we’re starting something new for Justus and Elias (ages 9 and 7):  Sequential Spelling. I think this program is just what they need at this point. So far they are both doing well with it.

Two other things we do for spelling:  Matt has a really great bedtime tradition he started with the boys several years ago. It’s a great spelling tool. Also, I’ll be using SpellQuizzer for fun extra practice for the boys.

Math:  This year is a little different as we’re doing three different math programs for three different boys. Asa is using Teaching Textbook Math 7. Justus is using Saxon 54. Elias is using Miquon. We decided to use Teaching Textbooks for the older grades because it is so wonderful…but it’s also pricey (which is why we didn’t buy a program for both Asa and Justus this year). Justus graduated out of Miquon last year so we’re borrowing Saxon for now until he can use the Teaching Textbooks Math 6 we previously bought for Asa. Elias is in the Miquon blue book (and will hopefully get through the green book this year too). Miquon teaches math in a different and “backward” way…but it’s worked well for our family and we really like it.

Handwriting:  Justus and Elias are using Italic Handwriting. I like this method of writing because the cursive is so much like the printing…just hooked together. Plus, it just looks so nice. Asa doesn’t do handwriting practice from a book anymore. He has nice handwriting and I just have him practice by writing letters to people or copying Bible verses.

Typing:  I bought this computer program this year to help teach the boys to type. They each spend about 15 minutes, four days a week practicing with this software.

Pre K:  I’m using a few Rod and Staff books for Malachi this year. Plus, I’m feverishly trying to finish a complete preschool curriculum which I will put into ebook form. It’s not complete enough to offer for sale yet, but I’m using the concepts and ideas with Malachi this year. Hopefully we can fine tune it while we use it before we put it into the shop!

What are some of your favorite books?

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Gratituesday: My Marriage

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gratituesdayspring

About a week and a half ago my husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. By “celebrated”…I mean that we hardly saw each other because there were three soccer practices that day! No matter. While I love having dates with Matt, I don’t NEED them to feel loved and secure.

Sorry to get all mushy here…but Matt does an awesome job cherishing and caring for me. Every day. He shows me by working hard to bring home the paychecks. He shows me by getting excited about the food I cook. He shows me by being grateful for his clean clothes. He shows me by being a wonderful daddy to our boys and being the spiritual leader in our home. He shows me by choosing me to be his best friend.

Matt and I work very hard to protect our marriage. We never let our guard down because WE CAN’T. The devil would like us to. And he’s waiting for us to. 

We’ve seen too many marriages crumble apart. It’s been devastating and painful to watch. It makes us realize even more how precious God’s gift of marriage is to us. 

I don’t ever want to take my marriage for granted. It is the greatest treasure I have on this earth.
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What are you grateful for this Gratituesday? Write about it on your blog, then come link up with us here. Be sure to leave a link back here to Heavenly Homemakers so your readers can find Gratituesday easily! If you don’t have a blog, please be sure to leave a comment here letting us know what you’re thankful for!

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