Monsanto and a Plea

I'm sure that recently I've annoyed the crap out of quite a few friends by spamming social network feeds with news about The Monsanto Protection Act being signed into law under the House Agricultural Appropriations Bill.  There are so many things I wish we could have had the chance to do, but it was done so quietly, amidst the fervor of the Supreme Court discussions of Equal Rights for people of the LGBT community, that not enough people were aware in time to stop it.

I am dismayed.  As I'm growing spiritually, mentally, and physically, taking better control over what goes into the bodies of my family, becoming more aware of our impact on the environment and the creatures that use it along with us, I am finding myself more and more frustrated with the state of our nation's food system (education system, political system... those are a completely different post). 

BUT, now is not the time to sit back and lament.  The phrase "Vote with your wallet" has never been more relevant.  What you buy MATTERS.  Every time you buy a product that has been Genetically Modified, or sprayed with commercial chemicals, you're essentially saying that "This is OK.  This is something I am comfortable giving to my family/putting into my body."

IT IS NOT OKAY.  And we need to make our voices heard.  I've included two lists: the first includes the companies that use Monsanto products (alphabetized from the graphic below).  The second is a list of seed companies that use GM or Monsanto seeds.  Copy and print these lists to take with you when you go shopping.  It will take some work and adjusting, but it's better than the alternative!

Additionally, it is time to speak up.  If you care, take the time to contact your local representative.  Sign a petition for GMO labeling.  Share this information with anyone you can.  Now that Monsanto is above judicial reproach our only defense is the knowledge we use and pass on to keep each other safe. 

Without further ado:

Companies that use Monsanto/GM products:

Aunt Jemima

Aurora Foods

Banquet

Best Foods

Betty Crocker

Bisquick

Cadbury/Shweppes

Campbells

Capri-Sun

Carnation

Chef Boyardee

Coca Cola

ConAgra

Delicious Brand Cookies

Duncan Hines

Famous Amos

Frito-Lay/Pepsi

General Mills

Green Giant

Healthy Choice

Heinz

Hellmans

Hershey's Nestle

Holsum

Hormel

Hungry Jack

Hunts

Interstate Bakeries

Jiffy

KC Masterpiece

Keebler/Flowers Industries

Kelloggs

Kid Cuisine

Knorr

Kool-Aid

Kraft/Phillip Morris

Lean Cuisine

Lipton

Lowa Linda

Marie Callenders

Minute Made

Morningstar

Ms. Butterworths

Nabisco

Nature Valley

Ocean Spray

Ore-Ida

Orville Redenbacher

Peppridge Farms

Pepsi

Pillsbury

Pop Secret

Post Cereals

Power Bar Brand

Prego Pasta Sauce

Pringles

Procter and Gamble

Quaker

Ragu Sauce

Rice-a-Roni/Pasta Roni

Smart Ones

Stouffers

Tombstone Pizza

Totinos

Uncle Bens

Unilever

V-8

Monsanto/GM seeds  (copied from HERE):
**some companies with Safe Seed pledges are on the list, because, though their seeds are non-GMO, they are supplied by GMO profiting companies.
 
American Meadows
Anderson’s Seed & Garden, Inc
Audubon Workshop
Ball Horticultural Company
Breck’s Bulbs
Bunton Seed
Burpee
Cook’s Garden
Corona Seeds
DeBruyn Seed Company, Inc.
Dege Garden Center
Dixondale Farms/The Onion Patch
Earl May Seed
Early’s Farm & Garden Centre
E & R Seed Co
El Seed
Farmer Seed & Nursery
Flower of the Month Club
Ferry Morse Fukuda Seed Store
Gardens Alive
Germania Seed Co
Garden Trends, Inc.d/b/a Harris Seeds
Germania Seed Company
Grimes Horticulture
H.F. Michell Company
HPS
Jungs
Lindenberg Seeds
McClure and Zimmerman Quality Bulb Brokers
Meyer Seed Co of Baltimore, Inc
Mountain Valley Seed
Ontario Seed
Ornamental Edibles
Osborne
Otis S. Twilley Seed Co., Inc.
Park Seed
Park Bulbs
Park’s Countryside Garden
P. L. Rohrer & Bro., Inc.
Pinetree
R.H. Shumway
Rocky Mountain Seed Co
Roots and Rhizomes
Rupp
Seeds for the World
Seminova
Seymour’s Selected Seeds
Snow
Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated
Stokes
Spring Hill Nurseries
Totally Tomato
T&T Seeds
Tomato Growers Supply
The Page Seed Company
The Vermont Bean Seed Company
Tomato Growers Supply Company
Vesey’s Seeds
Vis Seed Company, Inc.
Wayside Gardens
Willhite Seed Co.
William Dam Seeds

Dear mom on your iPhone: Seriously, how dare you?

I saw you sigh as you sat down on that bench after your kids went screaming onto the jungle gym, like you actually need a minute of peace to think.  How dare you have your own train of thought.

I watched you hand your kid a Happy Meal  instead of bust out a tupperware full of nutritious fruits and vegetables that were cleaned, cut, and packed with love.  How dare you think you deserve an easy day every now and then.

I heard your minimal reaction to your preschooler hitting the ground too hard at the bottom of the slide.  How dare you teach your kids to brush it off and move on.

Why can't you be like the mom over there, that's reading a book? At least she's engaging her mind.

Why can't you be like the nanny over there, who's knitting a shawl?  At least she's being productive.

Why can't you be like that group of women, who chose to meet here to let their kids play and socialize?  At least they're socializing, too.

Why can't you be like the helicopter mom, judging every other person on this playground because NONE OF THEM are 100% focused on their children?

How dare you be a realistic representation of us all?  How dare you.

SURPRISE! Women like sex, too.

I'm going to talk about some pretty adult stuff right now.  If you aren't interested in hearing that women have sexual desires, too, then go read something else.

Brutal, open honesty here.  It may be rambling, as I have so many things clamoring to be voiced that I can't really keep track of them, so I hope you bear with me.

You see, women have this thing called a clitoris.  And it makes sex pleasurable.  Some women have high amounts of hormones that make them want sex more often.  Some have low levels of hormones, which equates to a low sex drive.  Regardless of how much sex we crave, we still crave it.  I am speaking to you as a woman with a pretty high sex drive, who gets turned down by her husband often enough for it to matter.
  

But you know what?  No one talks about a woman's needs.  The phrase that 'a man has needs' gets thrown around so often, as an excuse for sleeping around, excessive masturbation, and porn addictions.  Within the rape culture we're currently faced with, this is the premise for so many violations of too many victims.  How many times have we heard about a woman claiming that her primal needs were the cause of her inappropriate actions?  Every once in a while we hear of a teacher having inappropriate relationships with her students and I can only recall 1 violent woman-on-woman rape being discussed on the news in my adult life.

When you're hungry, does your body involuntarily find and consume food?  When you have to pee, does your body get up on its own to find an appropriate facility?  Your body gives you signals for what it needs and you make a conscious decision to fulfill those needs.

Making a conscious decision to use another person, against their will, for your sexual urges is inexcusable.

But, "Men get turned on easier than women."  Puh-leeze.  You know what feels good for women?  Vibrations.  You know what vibrates?  A car engine.  Sit in the car with your jeans hiked up against your crotch and see how long it takes before you're ready to go home and take care of that urge.  Multiply that by however many times a day you're driving somewhere, and you've got a primal need to be fulfilled.  Bicycles?  Same problem.  Accidentally bumping into something at crotch height, or having something brush your nipples while wearing a thin, or no, bra.  The sight of a man (or woman, if that's your preference) in shape, or with specific features that we find attractive.  A man who smells nice.  A man who gives us just enough attention to make us feel special.  All things that turn the key to get that motor running.

You know what we do though?  We make a conscious decision whether to act on those desires or not, Just. Like. Men.  But we don't get credit for it, because we don't have a penis.  That second 'brain' men are endowed with that somehow allows their actions to become excusable?  We don't get that.  If a woman chooses to go home and masturbate instead of having an affair with that co-worker that's making passes at her, well, it's easy for her, she's a woman.  If a woman's partner isn't interested in having sex and she decides to just wait until they are, well, that's just fine for her, she's not a man.

Having an extra appendage does not impair judgement.  That is proven by the many good men who do respect boundaries.  Being turned on makes decision making different, to be sure, but not difficult.  

The differences in our sexes don't make any of us less human.  We all deserve respect as a people, not a gender.

But, I don't have a penis, so what do I know?

I've discovered how our parents did it (not THAT 'did it')

I know how generations before us kept up the perfect housewife routine, and why they are so confused as to why, as parents today, we just can't keep up with everything:

Their outlet WAS cleaning.

I discovered this last night as I folded laundry, in a quiet room, by myself, while Captain was downstairs entertaining the 3 squalling Cabin Kids.  

If I was being productive, I had an excuse to be left alone.

Holy-Kraken.  

Now, I'm not saying the only outlet they needed was a scrub brush and a pair of rubber gloves, but during the day when they reached a breaking point they didn't have social media to connect to.  Video games weren't something everyone had.  A cell phone wasn't in their pocket to provide the instant gratification of the quiet that is the eye of the storm.

I've been fighting a congestion headache for a week.  A WEEK.  It feels like my brain is about to ooze out of my tear ducts (you're welcome for the image).  Captain had been really understanding all day about letting me escape to our bedroom for a few minutes of staring at a wall in darkness and silence, and had even encouraged me to take a 2 hour nap.  But immediately upon exciting the sanctuary of our bedroom the pain doubled from the general noise that occurs from having little people in your house.

So, after dinner, I went into the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher.  People left me alone.  Interesting.  After bathtime, I folded and put away 3 full baskets of laundry (all washed that day, even!).  No one even came to see what I was up to.

It's like there was an unspoken announcement that I was doing something B-O-R-I-N-G, and therefore wasn't worth the task of finding.  

Never thought I'd say THAT.

Now I just need to figure out how to legally put my kids in a padded room during the day so they don't destroy the rest of the house while I'm at it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We love themed stuff here in the Pirate house so, naturally, St. Paddy's Day is right up our alley!  

Of course, most of our holidays are centered around food...

Naturally green waffles from Paleo Parents topped with butter and honey jams, natural pork sausage, and broccoli scrambled eggs with raw cheddar and organic ketchup!

Egg salad with avocado mayo, cucumbers, and raw sauerkraut on top of diced celery.

Took a break from cooking and eating to paint our nails!

It's not St. Paddy's Day without corned beef and cabbage!

Dessert was a pistachio milkshake!  It was SO good.  Just shelled pistachios, a bit of raw milk, and some natural ice cream.  Not as green as I'd hoped, but the combo of salty and sweet in glass was phenomenal.

We hope the Luck of the Irish was with you and yours today!!!

Paleo No-Bake Freezer Cookies

I am a sucker for No Bake cookies.  Normally made with peanut butter, chocolate, copious amounts of white sugar, butter, and oats.  Not-so healthy.  I could eat an entire batch by myself.

I recently joined a clean eating group on Facebook through my Crossfit box and have taken one in a series of 4 'Master' Paleo cooking classes.  At the first class one of the gym members turned me on to Hemp Hearts.  Huge, amazing amounts of plant based protein, from a totally renewable and environmentally friendly resource.  I dig it.  They're crunchy-ish.  I decided to try swapping my usual Grape Nuts with them to top my Greek yogurt in the mornings and it's definitely a change I can keep!  They're pricey, but the serving size is so small that they go a long way.  For some reason once I'd tried them, I thought, I wonder how these would do as a sub for oats in No Bakes?  Thus the experiment commenced.

Hemp Hearts, Coconut Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter, and Chia Seeds are things you may not already have in your pantry. 

Ingredients: 

1/4 c. coconut oil*
1/4 c. coconut butter (optional- I added it to see if it would help keep the cookies firm)
1/4 c. canned coconut milk*
1 c. honey*
2 Tbs. cocoa powder
1/4 c. sunflower seed butter*
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 c. hemp hearts
1 c. chia seeds

Melt coconut oil and butter together on stovetop over medium heat.  Add milk, honey, and cocoa.  Bring to boil, stirring frequently, then boil for one minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and immediately mix in seed butter and vanilla.  Add hemp hearts and chia seeds and stir well.  Using a tablespoon, place drops of cookie 'batter' onto parchment or wax paper and place in freezer to set (do not stack them until they have firmly set!).  Store in freezer until you are ready to enjoy them!  This recipe made 24+ cookies.

They definitely are not a classic No Bake, but they are T-A-S-T-Y!  A perfect quick fix for a sweet tooth!

I would like to suggest using a granulated sugar instead of honey, as the honey seems to prohibit the cookies from maintaining solid form unless frozen.  DARN, sounds like I need to make another test batch soon!
 
*Any of these can be subbed- oil for ghee or clarified butter, coconut milk for another milk, honey for a different natural sugar, seed butter for nut butter.  If you try this with any changes, please let me know how they turned out!!

**Edited to add:  Both of my morning trainers thought they were great!

In defense of being self-centered.

I've been thinking a lot lately about adult relationships. 

We went to a birthday party the other night and I realized that I. Am. So. Boring.  And can be perceived as very self-centered.  

Several years ago someone told me that I wasn't the type of person she was interested in being friends with.  There were a lot of other things said in and around it, but that was the gist, and it hit me HARD.  It plucked at my insecurities and made me question the person I was.  It still makes me question the person I'm becoming.  A blessing in disguise, for sure, but blessings like those are painful.

It made me realize that I AM self centered. 

Because I don't have anything to talk about other than the small circle of a world that makes up who I am.  Stuff about MY kids.  Stuff about MY husband.  Stuff about MY crafts.  MY workouts.  MY feelings, thoughts, opinions...  I don't have a sports team that I know the statistics of and can discuss for hours.  I don't have a job that broadens my perspective of the world at large.  I don't have an education that affords me high class discussions with worldly people.

I've been struggling with being more inviting.  Asking people how they are doing instead of just responding to their questions about me.  Swallowing my fears of being rejected and asking new people in my life to do things with the familiar ones.  Taking chances and going to new things.  Admitting that I'm not familiar with certain territory and am totally out of my element.

One of these things is not like the other...

I'm TRYING.  And it's HARD. 

But, it's what I have.  I hope along the road I find more people that enjoy listening to random stories about my kids, pregnancies, and marriage.  Because I AM a mother and a wife.  I pray that those more in the know than I can offer advice regarding the current craft pattern I can't wrap my head around.  Because I AM a crafter (albeit a novice at everything).  I dream of a time when I can be an inspiration to women on the road to a healthier lifestyle.  Because I AM on that road.  I ask that the people I meet be accepting of the fact that I don't have more to offer.

Because this is my life now.  It is small.  There's not a lot of variety.  

I am greater than the sum of my parts.  And if you can't accept that my focus is on the things that are important to me, then maybe you aren't the kind of person I'm interested in being friends with anyway.

Wordless Wednesdays from the Wild: Lattin's Farm

Reflection: When molehills become mountains and learning to be grateful.

We've all heard it.  "Don't make mountains out of molehills."  It's a great idea, in theory.  But when you're in a moment of frustration and there are nothing but molehills in your path, it becomes almost impossible to see how you will get around the next one.

Last night was, possibly, my worst night ever as a parent.  And it's all thanks to too many molehills.

Captain spent the evening in Urgent Care Thursday night for headache/jaw pain.  It was frustrating, but we got through it fine.  The kids were fed, bathed, and into bed by the time he got home with a diagnosis of tic douloureux (pronounced tick doo-la-roo, which we've been saying a lot because it's kind of fun) and some hefty pain meds.  Friday morning I made a to-do list for myself (I had plans to be productive) and he decided to take a half day so he could manage the pain better without being medicated at work (electricity and sleepy pills?  Not a good combo).  Upon hearing his plans I decided to surprise Cabin Girl with an early day out of school and a movie date.  Then, he mentioned that some work friends were having a ping pong and beer gathering after work and he wanted to go.  Uhm... okay, I guess.  He never does stuff like that so I couldn't say No.

Fast-forward to coming home after the movie and the t.v. was on, the living room had exploded, Cabin Boy #1 was naked because he'd apparently wet his pants, though Captain wasn't sure where or when, Cabin Boy #2 hadn't been fed or changed in 'a while,' and Captain was looking at me through bleary, not-quite-teary eyes.  Despite him not feeling well enough to completely take care of the kids, he was still planning on going to the pong party.  "I won't be gone too long."  Oohhkay.

Things pretty much went to hell immediately.

While I went to the laundry room to get CB1 clean undies, someone went into their room and tore apart a book.  I went up to clean up the book and, upon taking it to the bathroom trash, discovered pee ALL OVER the toilet and surrounding area.  As I was cleaning up the goodness-knows-how-long-it's-been-there pee, CB2 brought me the cold, soaked pair of undies CB1 had stashed somewhere from earlier.  Cue beginning of shit-losing.  I charged CB1 with putting the dirty undies in the laundry room where dirty clothes go.  After I finished cleaning the bathroom I came downstairs to find Cabin Girl dancing around the dining table, the cloth stripped and laying on the floor with numerous scattered dirty dishes. "[CB2] did it."  Cue mommy tears.  I instruct CG to grab the table cloth and follow me to the laundry room.  On the way, I discover CB1's wet undies on. my. craft chair.  Cue beginning of anxiety attack.  I switched out the laundry and went into my room to scream into my pillows and hyperventilate a few minutes.  Add 'change sheets' to the to-do list, since now I've gotten mascara all over everything (why do I even bother wearing makeup?!).  I text Captain and my best friend, one to inform that it was in everyone's best interest that he come home, and the other just to vent.  Captain informs me that he's in the middle of a "little" tournament, but will be home as soon as it's done and hopes 'things improve' for me.  I head downstairs to finally figure out dinner (which is now an hour later than the kids are used to) and discover all the couch cushions and blankets have been thrown amidst the dirty dishes that still haven't been picked up, except a precious few that were relocated to the shoe closet in the entry.

It's like Scary Mommy was in my house last night.

This is the point where I decided I couldn't leave any child alone in any room for any amount of time for the rest of the evening.  So instead of making gluten free pizza, which we had all the ingredients for, I ordered from our favorite, local pizza place (while CB2 followed me SCREAMING) and turned on a movie.  While we waited the precious 30 minutes for our very late dinner to arrive, I grabbed a tote and started throwing toys in until I could fit all the living room toys into 1 big basket and 3 small ones (during which CB2 kept snagging toys from the tote and throwing them into the fireplace).  Instead of bathing the boys, I wiped them off with a washcloth.  CB2 went to bed just fine, but there was no getting the big kids to cooperate without daddy there to tuck in/snuggle/say goodnight (which I informed Captain of, but he never responded), so we watched the movie until CB1 passed out.  I let CG sleep with me until Captain came home (2 hours after he had informed me of the "little" tournament he was in) smelling like beer and fun.

At least he had the sense not to try to touch me once he got into bed.

So here we are this morning.  Captain is gone, working a scheduled overtime shift.  We need the money if we're ever going to have enough for a big down payment come the time we decide to move.  The kids are in the same fantastic mood they were in last night, so we're all gathered in the living room where I can keep an eye on the destruction they're causing.  I just want to shower, or go read a book somewhere quiet, or go make something wholesome for breakfast without fear of something being broken.

I can see these molehills.  I know they are trivial in the scheme of things.  First-world problems, if you will.  We will be getting out of the house in a little while.  They boys will get to play under someone else's supervision while CG dances with her ballet troupe for 2 hours.  I will shower at the park facility, knit, and hopefully get some socialization with other parents.  We'll probably get sandwiches from the Subway that's in the building, so I can avoiding a screaming fit of hunger from one or all of the kids.  We may go to a park to run out as much energy as possible afterwards.  We'll come home and I will lament at the amount of things I didn't get done yesterday, because I was focused on cleaning the path of destruction my kids made.  I will take a deep breath and get done what I can.

I will let my kids see me cry, if it comes to that again, because they need to know that sometimes Mommy gets upset and frustrated, too.  I will show them how they can help me, and pray that they enjoy the feeling of accomplishment more than they like the atmosphere of destruction.  We will get ready for CG to have a sleepover tonight and hope against hope that Captain comes home at a decent hour.  We will show him how much we enjoy his company and how much we appreciate what he does for us. 

Because the lesson I've taken from this is that it's Captain that keeps my molehills from becoming mountains; Sometimes with his help, but mostly with his presence.  It's days like yesterday that remind me that, though it's easy to be bitter, everything is better when we decide to be grateful instead.

20 toothless toddler Paleo/Primal friendly snacks

Cabin Boy #2 is 19 months old and has 6 teeth.  SIX. 

What do you feed a child that wants what everyone else is having but can't chew it all?!  Especially when what we're having for snacks is stuff like raw veggies, dehydrated fruits and meats, and nuts and seeds?

Now I know that gums are hard enough for kids to be able to mash up most foods, but CB2's front teeth are sharp enough to get big chunks off of things like carrot sticks, and, let's face it, some things are just too tough to eat without molars.

Through the interwebs (read: Pinterest) and our family's experience I've come up with a handy-dandy list; all of these are Cabin Kid approved.

Raisins/Dried fruit- Give them a mini-box of raisins and you've given them a snack AND a task.  Win-win.

Avocados- My boys go nutso over this mushy, green, healthy fat and nutrient packed food (Why do we give our kids fat, you ask?  Check out some of the reasons here and here)

Soft fruits- Melons, grapes, berries, etc.  If you get canned fruit (the Cabin Kids love mandarin oranges) check to make sure it's canned in fruit juice, not syrup.

Tomatoes- Slices or wedges, if your kids can handle nightshades, are great for little fingers.  Halved cherry or grape tomatoes are great, too.

Apple/Pear slices- Without the skin; CB2 just spits it out and leaves it in random corners anyway. Pair them with:

Nut butters*- Almond butter is a favorite in our house, but I know lots of people love Sunflower seed butter, too; or

Cheese- We're just venturing away from processed string cheese and into the world of raw dairy.  I've found an amazing medium cheddar that is soft and Oh-so tasty from a local farm at our health food store.

Olives- Unfortunately, my kids only like black olives thus far.  But, it's another plant based fat that my kids go gaga over.  Plus, see if they can get an olive on each finger and, TA-DA, another task!

Bananas- The Cabin Kids would eat bananas all day long if I let them.  Whole, sliced with almond butter, dehydrated, doesn't matter.  Say banana and they go ape-shit (see what I did there? *snort*). I know bananas should be with the 'Soft fruit,' but my kids love them so much, in so many ways, that I thought they deserved their own spot.

Fruit leathers- Pour some unsweetened applesauce on a dehydrator tray, let it run for 12 hours or so and, VOILA, you have fruit leather.  CB1 can chew it, while CB2 enjoys sucking on it.  As his saliva works its magic, the fruit is slightly rehydrated and easier for him to eat.  There are a few good brands out there without added sugars and preservatives but I really encourage you to try your own.  We have lots of frozen plum puree that we've added in several times, and berries would make an awesome addition, too.

Larabars- Again, I encourage you to make your own.  It's super easy (if you have a food processor) and way cheaper than $1 per bar if you have a place you can get almonds, raisins, and dates in bulk.  Just use a 1:1:1 ratio on your nuts, dried fruit, and dates, pulse until all crushed/combined, then press into a lined pan and chill, cut, and wrap.  The ground nuts are small enough for toothless kiddos to manage easily, and the dried fruits hold it all together.

Fruit and yogurt- Frozen raspberries in a little bowl of yogurt that they can stir on their own is ridiculously exciting.  I mean, RIDICULOUSLY.  They love watching the yogurt slowly turn pink from the thawing raspberry juice and always exclaim when they get a chunk of cold fruit.  If your kids can handle dairy, this is a great snack for a quiet afternoon at home (where you can have a washcloth handy).

Applesauce- Another one you should have a napkin handy for. 

Pickles- Crunchy on the outside, but soft enough inside for those gums to get the job done.  We prefer baby dills, since they're little hand friendly and don't pose as big of a choking hazard.

Uncured deli meats- Roll them up with some cheese, mashed avocado, or a Paleo/Primal friendly tapenade.

Hard boiled eggs- Because, duh.  We love eggs.  Slice them if you think your little one's hands may not be able to handle a slippery sphere.

Pepperoni sticks- We have a great uncured brand available locally.  I have to snip the tough ends off for the boys and bite CB2s to break the casing a bit for him, but they love them.  As do Captain and I.

Baked goodies-  A quick Google search will reveal loads of recipes for quick and easy Paleo/Primal baked treats.  Paleo Parents has a great Anytime Cookie recipe in their book, Eat Like a Dinosaur (which I recommend for any full or partial Paleo family), that you can customize with your kids' favorite dried fruits and nuts.  Just make sure you watch the natural sugars in some of the recipes you may come across.  Even though they're healthier than conventional baked goods, a treat is still a treat and should be given in moderation.

Smoothies- Full fat coconut milk, some nut butter, a piece of fruit, and a handful of spinach.  Who doesn't love a green smoothie?!  Customizable with endless possibilities.

Frozen fruit pops- Blend up your favorite fruit combination and freeze it in a popsicle mold.  Perfect for a lazy, hot afternoon, or a special picnic on the kitchen floor treat.  Plus, no dyes, additives, or surprise ingredients!  Add some coconut milk for an extra punch of good fats, or some spinach for a sneaky bit of veggies!


Do your kids have a favorite snack?


*We avoid peanut butter/peanuts mostly because the Cabin Boys are mildly allergic to it.  Some great info on why you should consider avoiding peanuts and peanut butter can be found here and here.

Wordless Wednesdays from the Wild: Seeley Lake Park

Pinterest Inspired Valentines: Salt Dough Ornaments (with link to tutorial)

Aren't these ornaments from On Clever Mode cute?!

Since we started eliminating sugars wherever we can, the idea of handing out dyed and processed goodies for Valentine's Day just doesn't appeal to me.  Between Cabin Girl and Cabin Boy #1, we needed nearly 40 Valentines.  These salt dough ornaments were just the thing and one batch was more than enough! 

NAILED IT!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Quickie craft: Bracelet

My crafting plans for the day were derailed by procrastination and an inability to find inexpensive, plain tees.

Thankfully, Michaels came to the rescue with an outlet for my left-handed brain by way of their 50% off bead strands.  

Amethyst, fluorite, and hematite caught my eye this morning and, adding some spacers and a glass crescent moon that I already had, here is the result:

Happy Friday!