I'm Candi! I'm a stay at home reformed Christian Mom to 4 kids and a wife to a husband of 11 years. We homeschool 3 out of our 4 children and love every minute of it.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Feta and Veggie Salad


This was SO good! The kids and hubby all liked it. We served it with grilled pita bread. My husband and kids ate the pasta, I didn't add pasta to mine for calorie reasons:) Here's the recipe.

1 cucumber diced up
2 bell peppers (whatever color you want) diced
3 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
6 ounces feta
S&P
1 tsp oregano

Add all ingredients to the bowl and toss. I served ours with lemon slices to squeeze on top. I also added some Himalayan Pink salt from trader's.

For the pasta

I bag spiral pasta cooked, set aside to cool
1 bottle of creamy Feta dressing from trader Joe's, I've also just used organic Italian dressing.

that's it. Put the veggies on top the pasta if you want. If your trying to loose weight leave the pasta out. So good. This would also be a good meal for the pool, picnic, or outing. Hope you like it.
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Donut holes, The raw way! Delish!



Recipe

  • 2 C Brazil Nuts (trader joes )
  • 1/2 C Oat bran ( I got mine at trader joe's
  • 1 C oats ( I used my almond pulp this time)
  • 1/3 C Coconut Oil
  • 1/3 C Maple Syrup (I used honey) you could even use agave

Chop Brazil nuts in food processor until fine. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine wet ingredients, mix together and then add to the wet ingredients. Stir. Squeeze into balls. Roll in organic sugar and cinnamon mixture and refrigerate.

Topping:

  • 1/3 C organic sugar
  • 1 1/2 t. Cinnamon

I got this recipe from here, but i changed it up a lot. It was really good. Turtle LOVED it! Actually all the kids did except 1.

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Winner of Peter Rabbit Fruit Pouches!!!


from random.org


sweetpea08 said...

My son would love the apple & grape (or the Strawberry & banana...really he would love them all)
I follow your blog
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Rachel I am emailing you now. Congrats!

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Prov. 16:3


Day 3 is going good. The only way I am still going strong and not caving into temptation, is with Prayer. Praise God, that I've made it to day 3! You may laugh at that and think "it's only been 3 days", but if you know my addiction with coffee, several times a day, you would be amazed. So yes, I am praising Him for day 3. Thank you Lord!
I still love the almond milk! I've added the pulp already into lots of things. I made the kids pancakes yesterday and added the pulp into that along with almond milk in place of dairy or water, and they loved it!
We made green smoothies last night for dinner for My husband and myself and they were sooo good! The kids wanted to try it to and asked me to make more. So here's the recipe. This one isn't so green in color, which is probably why my kids liked it. This is what Sage said

"Mom I like this smoothie, but not the green one you made this morning" hehe, little does he know!

OK

1 1/2 cups pineapple I used fresh
...3-4 cups organic baby spinach some people use frozen
1 whole banana
about 1 or 1 1/2 cups blueberries( I used the frozen ones from Trader's)
1/2 cup to 1 cup of water, just enough to where it starts blending up in the blender without getting stuck.

if you don't use any frozen fruit in this put a little ice so its cold.
enjoy! they LOVED it!

We are making lots of nutritious snacks for the kids today. One is called donut holes. All raw. I will post pics and the recipe later. I hope they like it. I would love to hear your ideas, if anyone has or is doing a raw diet. Any recipes you can't live without?

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Green Smoothie Day 1 Not bad!




This was Day 1 of my green smoothies! It wasn't bad. I thought it was going to be horrible, it wasn't. OK so here's what I did

  • 1 1/2 c. Organic Spinach
  • 1/2 c. strawberries
  • 1/2 c. red grapes
  • 1/2 c. pineapple (fresh)
  • 1/2 c. water (next time I will use 1/2 of ice instead of the water)
put it all in the blender and blend! That's it. I'm on my way to better health already! And BTW this is very filling! My daughter wanted some and drank about 1 cup of it and loved it! Here are some sites on green smoothies and why they are healthy for you. If anyone has any recipes they love please send them my way!
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Lemon Coconut Candy

Quick Lemon Coconut Candy recipe photo
Quick Lemon Coconut Candy
Prepared by Sarah Shilhavy


I just ordered this great product online today and I can't wait to make these! I will let you know how they turn out. Here's the recipe

Mix the first 4-5 ingredients together until well mixed and smooth. Form into balls, roll them in the coconut flakes and refrigerate or freeze. You can also put them in candy molds without the coconut flakes to get a different look. They will harden when refrigerated.

Recipe submitted by Alice, Las Crescenta, C

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Yummy Live Granola Recipe coming in Segments! It's live, it takes a few days!


Here are the cast of characters for this yummy Live granola. Here's some info on why we should sprout. We are totally new to this so any info you have is appreciated!

Nutritional value of sprouts
A great deal of nutrients are available when a seed sprouts as the sprout must have enough energy and nutrients to transform it from the seed into a baby plant that can then feed itself and be self sufficient. This means that when sprouting occurs the plant is at its nutritional peak. Many believe that weight for weight, sprouts have the highest nutritional content of any food type. Sprouts contain both vitamins, minerals, proteins and fibre, as an example Alfafa sprouts contain iron, magnesium, all 8 of the essential amino-acids, chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin D, fibre and more….

In this day and age of processed and convenience foods it is of great comfort that sprouts do not contain any artificially added chemicals, additives, preservatives, E numbers etc. Sprouts are eaten in their natural form, when a sprout is at its optimal growth point it simply needs to be rinsed in water to make it ready for eating. This means that sprouts are a valuable toxin free food source.

Taken from the Happy Juicer website
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I have a new love.....Almond MIlk. It's replacing my half 'n'half!


I have done a lot of research and tried to find something, anything that has nutritional value(but still tastes good) to replace my addiction for half n half. I have done it!! Almond milk. Seriously people. I had my doubts, I've tried everything and this hits the spot for dairy. But unlike Dairy this has an amazing amount of nutrient value. I'm not saying dairy doesn't have any nutrients but let's look at some facts about almonds milk


Nutrient Facts for almond milk

Health Benefits of Almond Milk
  • Almond milk is rich in Vitamin E, a known antioxidant, and thus, is believed to good for those undergoing detoxification programs.
  • Almond milk contains high levels of unsaturated fat and has been associated with lower risk of heart attack.
  • Almond milk has been found to contain little to no saturated fat and no cholesterol, making it extremely good for those suffering from high cholesterol problem.
  • Almond milk does not contain lactose. This makes it easily digestible and the perfect alternative for those suffering from lactose-intolerance.
  • Owing to the absence of saturated fats and presence of unsaturated fats, almond milk can be said to be good for those trying to lose weight.
Nutritional Facts about Almond Milk
  • Almond milk is rich in protein and omega fatty acids.
  • Almonds milk does not contain cholesterol and saturated fats
  • Almonds milk has high levels of vitamin E and unsaturated fats
  • Almond milk contains minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron.
  • 8 oz (237ml) of almond milk contains 70 calories, 2gm protein, 10gm carbohydrates and 2.5 gm fat: 2.5g
  • Almond milk has zero fiber.

That's a lot of good stuff!!! I've done some research on which is better to do store bought or homemade.... it looks like some of the almond milks out there in stores have alot of sugar in them. Which i am trying to stay away from. So homemade it is! Here's how I did it.

  • 1 1/2 cups all natural or organic whole almonds.
  • enough water to cover the almonds.
  • put almonds in jar, cover with water, let sit over night.
  • next day, put almonds in blender with 3 cups purified water and blend.
  • strain, I used my reusable coffee filter to strain and a wooden spoon to make sure I got all of the milk out of the almond puree.
  • store in fridge.
  • I am going to save my pulp that was strained and put it in oatmeal, cakes, muffins. Whatever. If you have any ideas or recipes please give them to me.




Thursday, May 27, 2010

Rice milk? Anyone.........


So I watched this video on milk last night about milk and how we shouldn't drink it at all. It freaked me out a little. I'm not going to get crazy and ban milk from my family's diet, but I want to try and consume less dairy. Dairy has always been a struggle for me. I know that I am addicted to it. I probably drink on my own, at least 1 big container of half n half a week in my coffee.. CRAZY, huh? I've been trying to use Coconut Creamer, and it is really good. I am making some changes, but they need to be more drastic. So any help or tips on how to quit the dairy all together would be awesome!
So I bought Rice milk tonight, has anyone ever used this? I'm going to try and substitute my family's milk for this in cereal and oatmeal and stuff like that and see if they like it. I will report back. Does anyone have any good recipes they use for this? After researching this more tonight I've found that almond milk is actually alot healthier, I am going to make that next week. It looks really good! Here's a recipe I found for it. I found it one The Happyfoodie Blog

"A sweet and delicious fresh milk with the elegant essence of vanilla"

1 cup soaked raw almonds (soaked 4-8 hours)
4 cups filtered water
Pinch of sun-dried sea salt
1 T non-alcohol vanilla extract
1/2 vanilla bean (optional)
3 T raw honey or maple syrup (or 3 soft dates, pitted)

In a blender, at medium, then high speed, blend soaked almonds, water, and sea salt until smooth. Pour through a strainer (or use a nut bag) to separate pulp. Pour liquid back in the the blender and blend in vanilla extract and bean (if using) and sweetener until smooth.


Human beings should not drink milk from a cow. It's that simple. So many illnesses and afflictions in children (and adults for that matter) could be cured if they would just cut out milk and milk products. There are tons of doctors, organizations, websites, etc...that will tell you the same thing, so you can do your own research. Here is one to get you started. Almond milk is a delicious alternative to cow's milk. Once you make your own...you'll never go back! It's so creamy and delicious. Perfect for dipping cookies, baking with, or drink it plain. Yum!

Here's some more cool info I found out about almonds which makes me want to substitute with it even more!

Almond milk is a milky drink made from ground almonds. Truth be told, it's much more almond than milk, as it contains absolutely no cholesterol or lactose. It can, however, be used to replace real dairy milk in many recipes.

Being able to use almond milk in place of dairy milk provides quite a few benefits. Besides opening the menu up for the lactose intolerant, it also removes the ever-problematic cholesterol from the equation.

Almonds alone have been hailed as a "super food" due to their high concentration of vitamins (especially the all-important Vitamin E), antioxidants, protein, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, iron - and calcium. In fact, an eight-ounce glass or dairy milk contains 300 milligrams of calcium. Eight ounces of whole almonds - the overwhelming ingredient in almond milk - contains almost 550 milligrams of calcium.

Social Parade Follow Friday Blog-Hop 5/28

Smart and Trendy Moms

Social Parade Followers Friday Blog-Hop is a weekly link-up hosted by Smart and Trendy Moms . We created it for socializing and to get new followers, fans, subscribers, readers without feeling overwhelmed. Every week will be a new link-up that will focus on following blogs, getting new readers to your blog! We will have Wild Card week to focus on the other ways you engage people with your blog. Its about fun one follower,fan and reader at a time!


How it works-Follow this blog and Grab the link-up button and post It's a Social Parade!. Every Friday a new linky will be posted. You have to link up weekly.



To participate.
* Follow the blog in the first spot. I will follow all on the linky as time allows! All blogs participating must post about Social Parade every week.
* Link-up your blog post for "It's a Social Parade" that you made on your blog. See the F.A.Q and Updates for help
* Follow as many as you like commenting on their POST as you do so they can follow back!
* If you do not make a post and link that up, it is unlikely that someone will search around for a post to comment on.
DO NOT LINK TO THIS POST UNLESS YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL PARADE-YOU MUST LINK TO YOUR POST ABOUT SOCIAL PARADE. For additional help see the F.A.Q and Updates Section

Win your own eco-friendly Tiffin box! Giveaway!

I got my Tiffin in the mail yesterday, and LOVE it! I can't wait to use it. I reviewed the medium Tiffin. It's the perfect size I think for maybe 2-3 people. Actually after using this today I think 2 of this one would be a better fit for my family( We are a family of 6) I will be using mine a lot at the pool this summer. The kids loved using this today. I love that it is very sturdy, I bought a plastic one from target and can already see it breaking after a few uses. Plus plastic isn't a healthy material to use for your family's meals. Here's some info on why plastic is bad for us. Here is some info about the awesome containers! Taken from the website

Benefits of Happy Tiffins
<span class=Tiffin Lunch Box - Pyramid" width="350">

Features of the ultimate tiffin lunch box

Happy Tiffins are:

  • Reusable
  • Easy To Clean
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Beautifully-Functional
  • Long Lasting and
  • The Ultimate Lunchbox!
If you want to get away from plastic products and own a long lasting and durable container, then these ingeniously constructed latch tiffin lunch boxes lunch boxes and pyramid tiffin lunch boxes made of high quality stainless-steel are perfect alternative towards a clean green-living lifestyle for you and your family. Our tiffins are manufactured of food grade 202 stainless-steel and are 100% BPA-Free. If you would like to learn more about the history of the tiffin, view our links page.

Now Win it! To enter here are the things you need to do.
  • This Step is mandatory before any other entries count! Visit Happy Tiffin and look around. See what items you like and come back here and leave a comment on your favorite Happy Tiffin product and why you like it. I would love to hear how you would use a Tiffin if you had one!
  • if you just can't stand losing and would like to rack up some additional entries, listen up. You can earn ONE ADDITIONAL ENTRY EACH by:
  • Join Happy Tiffin's FaceBook Fan Page
  • Subscribe to my blog
  • Become a follower of little bitty spicecakes 5 xtra points!
  • Join Tiffin's Flickr group
  • linking to the giveaway from your blog or website
  • posting a link to the giveaway on Facebook
  • Tweeting about the giveaway

The giveaway ends June 10th and at that point the winner will be chosen through random.org

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Organic or not? Does it really matter?


We try to buy Organic if possible, but sometimes it's just too expensive. We are a family of 6. It's just hard to do all Organic. Any tips would be greatly appreciated on how to cut costs. OK so here is where my thinking has been over the last year. For some reason I thought that it really didn't matter if my produce was organic or not, as long as I wash off the pesticides why does it matter? Well my mind has been changed this week. I will NOT buy conventional produce again, because of this article. Please take the time to read this I am sure there are many more out there but for some reason this caught my eye.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Orglamix Review+Giveaway 3 ITEMS!!!


I saw Orglamix on Etsy and I just had to review for them! I didn't know i would like it as much as i do! I tried it last night and fell in love. This product really is amazing. I had the chance to review the

Diamond- Pure Organic Mineral Sparkle
LOVED this!!! It really does look like the way the picture does, very sparkly! But not overly sparkly.


Menthe- Pure Organic Mineral Perfecting Corrector
This worked really well for me, I have rosacea and this covered it up completely.

Sapele Pure Organic Mineral Foundation

With so many colors to choose from, it is really hard to choose, I must have spent an hour last night just looking and trying to decide what I want to buy!

The next-generation of mineral makeup. All the colors you can’t live without, at prices you just won’t believe. At only 4.99 for most items!!!!

Zero Synthetic Ingredients! All Orglamix products are proudly formulated without: nano particles, bismuth oxychloride, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals or parabens. PETA approved. I GUARANTEE you will LOVE Orglamix, or your MONEY back.

★ Do you Like Orglamix?
http://www.facebook.com/orglamix

Orglamix has a money back guarantee so you really can't go wrong! Head on over to their etsy shop and take a look around...

Win It! One lucky reader will receive any three colors from the
following formulas: Pure Organic Mineral Eye, Blush, Glow, Foundation or Color Corrector from Orglamix.

To Enter: Simply visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/orglamix & pick out your favorite item, then leave me a comment telling me what you picked.

For additional entries:
--Become a fan of Orglamix on facebook.
--Follow Orglamix on twitter.
--Follow this blog. 5 Xtra points!
--Write a post and link back to this contest on your blog.
--Twitter about this giveaway
Rules:
--You MUST make a separate comment for each entry, or it wont count as separate
--An email address is required to enter. Leave it with every comment.
--The winner will be contacted via email and will have 3 days to reply before a new winner is chosen.
--Open to US only.
--Ends on June 1st 2010 winner will be chosen through random.org



Learning Resorces Pretend and Play Supermarket (Review)










Learning Resources Pretend and Play Supermarket


CSN Stores sent me this great product to review and my kids LOVE it!

I really liked the play money that came with this set. It was more realistic than other play money. I asked my Daughter who is 9, what she liked about it and she said, " I really liked that it had an apron and a name tag, it's like your a real store worker."
My daughter who is 5 said," It was fun and i liked being the shopper and I really liked the money."

I think this product would go really well with the whole set of Pretend Play grocery products they have. They have a cash register that I really want to get for the girls. They also carry a set of pretend checks that i think would be great for teaching them early on how to manage their money. I will be getting the whole set for them for school this year. I think it will be valuable for teaching them to handle money and count change. I can't say enough good things about learning resources all of the products they make are awesome! And CSN Stores offer them at really great prices!
They have everything from toddler beds to cookware to homes decor accessories! Check them out you will not be disappointed!






Thursday, May 20, 2010

Dont forget to enter, Low entry giveaway= better chance of winning!


Dont forget to enter, its ending soon!

Friendly Friday


The awesome bloggers at Thanks Mail Carrier, Frugal Novice and Healthy Home Blog have created a new place for us to link up on Fridays!
Friendly Friday!

Every Thursday night at 11PM a new linky will appear and the only rules are that you follow the 3 hosts and then just hop around and follow through Google Friends the blogs that you like and leave them a comment so they know to come check you out too! It's all about making some new friends!

If someone does comment on your blog- please be courteous and follow them back so this is beneficial to everyone involved!


Let's have some fun with this! And definately let the new hosts know how awesome they are for taking this on! :)


Can't wait to meet you all!

Win your own eco-friendly Tiffin box! Giveaway! Coming Soon

I am SO excited about this giveaway! I will be posting it next week, I just want everyone to get as excited as I am! Here are a few Tiffin facts taken from the Happy Tiffin Site.

Also I love these Tiffins because they aren't made from plastic like my target one. Here's some info on WHY plastic is bad for us.

Also check out this link for great pictures of all the cool stuff to put in your tiffins!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

I'm not sure he will make it to 4 at this rate!


So where do I start? He did so many dangerous things today! First it started off, I was cleaning my daughter's room and we were using the hose part to get along the wall. Well, Turtle wanted to try-- so he did. Keep in mind he was going bare-bottom at this point. He had just gotten out of the bath. I hear a scream and turn around and he had vacuumed his boy parts! And he was not liking it! LOL
Then he found some chap stick (organic) and took a bite of it and swallowed before I could get it out of his mouth. THEN, about an hour later he ate some hand soap-- just a tiny bit though. But seriously, he is a wild child! My other kids were not this nuts, I wonder what God will have in store for his future? Ahhh. Never a dull day here!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Tag Along Tuesdays

Tuesday Tag-Along


Come on and join me!

  • Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
  • Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
  • Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
  • If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
  • Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
  • When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snacks 10 Pouch Giveaway!


The very nice people at Peter Rabbit Organics have offered to let me giveaway 10 pouches of their fabulous fruit snacks! Here is a little about the company ( taken from their site).

Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Snacks

Our Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches are packed full of 100% fruit. We have done all the washing, chopping and peeling for you, so you can now eat fruit on the go without worrying about the mess or hassle...

What's inside our pouches?

Made from pure, organic fruit, our BPA-free pouches have no added sugar or preservatives. We only source organic ingredients certified by the USDA, and whenever possible we use local suppliers in Oregon. Our 3 delicious pouches have a thick, smooth texture and aren't diluted with water or juice.

Why the pouch?

Similar to squeezable drink pouches, Peter Rabbit Organics pouches are easy to drop into a diaper bag, lunch box or purse without breaking or spilling. Unopened pouches don't need to be refrigerated so they're great for car trips, cycle rides...and for all the family to enjoy.

Ideal for ages 6 months and upwards, the fruit can be enjoyed straight from the pouch - no spoons required!! Our no-choke cap makes them safe for little ones and the larger size makes it easy to get a full serving of fruit in each pouch.

Win It!
Thanks to Peter Rabbit Organics, one lucky Review Retreat reader will win 10 of mixed flavor organic fruit snack pouches.

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You must include a valid email address in your comment or have one available in your blogger profile.

How To Enter (required):
Visit Peter Rabbit Organics and leave a comment letting me know which flavor you or your child would most like to try.

Mandatory. Become a follower of LittleBittySpicecakes you have to leave a comment saying you followed or I won't count it.

Don't forget to leave your email address with each comment!


Extra Entries (Be Sure To Leave Separate Comments For Each):
  • Follow Peter Rabbit Organics on Twitter. +1
  • "Like" Peter Rabbit Organics on Facebook. +2
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. Comment with the post link. (leave 5 separate comments saying entry 1, entry 2, entry 3) +5
  • Stumble this Giveaway. (Include link to this giveaway, comment with link) +3
  • Add me to your blog roll. +1
Details:
Giveaway begins on May 17, 2010 and ends on May 31, 2010 at 11:59 cst. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

My Word!




So today was a crazy Saturday. Fun but, crazy! Last night Sage had his friend Danny over and we woke this morning and picked up Saylor and her friend Mady from her sleepover and headed to Tempe Beach Park. I had on long jeans and just wasn't thinking I was going to get wet, I was WRONG! I was planning on going shopping after. Dang it. I still went. Keep in mind I had 5 kids with me in T.J. Maxx and it was packed! Stellar was being such a grouch. He hadn't had a nap or boobdie and was just unbearable. He was crying as I made my purchase and I was walking out with Him trying to console Him. This OLD lady, very loudly says goodness! She wasn't saying it in a sweet grandma type of way. She was genuinely upset that he was crying. What is wrong with people? Why would you do that to a mom that you see is having a not so great time shopping with 5 kids?! This really bothered me for a good 20 minutes, I just kept thinking to myself, doesn't this lady have kids? I guess hers didn't cry. Seriously. Ugh!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Friday Follow


Welcome to the May 14 Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.
Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Learning Resorces Pretend and Play Supermarket


So excited to review this! And hopefully give one away soon!

Be on the lookout for a fantastic review from CSN Stores. They have everything from Toddler beds to cookware to home décor accessories!’

They have so many great products! They carry Learning Resources which I LOVE!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tiffin Time Thursday



Welcome to Tiffin Time Thursday. I love these Tiffin Food containers. Perfect for packing a picnic in the summer. And great for the pool, we used ours at our pool today. Each Thursday I am going to post different recipes and ideas to use with your Tiffins. And stay tuned, because I am also going to be hosting a Tiffin Giveaway!



This is our Tiffin that we got at Target. It was $19.95.




Here's a recipe I'm going to try for next weeks Box.

Here are some good links for recipes for your Tiffin.
Here's a link for a cookbook, that has nothing but tiffin recipes, I so want this!
I thought this was such a cool pic of a guy delivering Tiffin Lunches in India.


This is a traditional Tiffin Box

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I got an award and won something all in one day!

So I was contacted and told that I won the Versatile Blogger Award. How Sweet! Thank you so much, Amanda!
So here are the rules.

1. Thank the person who gave you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic! (in no particular order...)

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

So here it goes,



#1. I won something today! Awesome! I never win anything, and I have entered many blog contests. But, today I won this precious Diaper changing pad. So cute! The lady at The modern Brady bunch made it and I can't wait to use it!

#2. I am a twin.
#3. I am from Ky and would move back in a heartbeat, if that's what God wanted for Me and My family.
#4. I am a pastor's wife, and love every second of it. I will serve the Lord all my life!
#5. I have 4 children, whom I love dearly.
#6. I make cakes, sometimes I like it most times i don't.
#7 I love blogging! And I love eating organic, but wish it was cheaper!

And to my new and old blogger friends I nominate you!

  1. Paige Baker@Prone to Wonder
  2. Dori @ Dori the Giant
  3. Glenda @ Me and Mine in a small town
  4. Rachel@ Our Journey
  5. Shanna @ What's for Dinner
  6. Jeska @ Just a Babe
  7. Lauren@ I hear the Bells
  8. Happy Gramma@Happy Family Happy Kids
  9. Arizona Momma
  10. Nicole and Jennifer@ Two Savvy Sister's
  11. Desperate for Coffee
  12. Couture Unraveled
  13. Princess Couture Designs
  14. Jeredith
  15. Lovely Buds

Monday, May 10, 2010

Tag Along Tuesdays


Welcome to this week's Tuesday Tag-Along blog hop, hosted by Twee Poppets Review and Giveaway! This is a great way to discover new blogs while increasing the number of followers for your own blog. Please feel free to grab the TTA button for your blogroll to help bring more bloggers to this blog hop!

Miscarriage


This video had me thinking about something I haven't in a while-- miscarriage. I haven't thought about it, not because I'm trying to forget, but because God has given me total peace about the 2-miscarriages I've had. But it took a while.

After our 3rd child, I got pregnant and miscarried around 2 months. I was devastated. I had previously had very normal pregnancies (3 in fact), so this was a shock. Only with God's help did I get through that horrible time. I learned a lot of things. I learned to trust God and lean on Him for everything. I also learned to praise HIM for everything.

(21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”)

Not long after this miscarriage I got pregnant again. I was VERY scared. Everything seemed to be going fine. I was gaining weight really quickly. I had bought a thing to hear the heartbeat online just to reassure myself that everything was fine. It came in the mail and I opened it used it and couldn't find a heartbeat. I knew something was wrong. Just days before we had been at the Dr and found two heartbeats, they thought I was having twins(I am also a twin). So they scheduled me to come back in a week to check. I was almost 3 1/2 months at this point. We went to the doctor that morning and had the ultrasound. When the tech looked at us in the middle of doing the ultrasound she said, "There is no baby. Are you sure about your dates". We were very confused. I was in a daze, nothing seemed real. I went into the doctor's office to be told what was going on. I found out I had a Molar pregnancy. I had never heard of this. So not only did I have a molar pregnancy but to go with that you have to have about a year of blood testing to make sure it isn't cancerous. Wow! I really had to hang on to my Savior at this point--very tightly. I always wondered why this was happening.

(6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,)

15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.
16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
19 You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
many will court your favor.

After all of this I got pregnant with my now almost 2 year old son. When I found out I was pregnant with Him, I had a very hard time being excited for him to come. I always thought something would happen. Here's a blog post I wrote when I was pregnant with him:

Jeff and I just found out we are expecting again. We are excited but nervous at the same time. We have had two miscarriages in the last two years so we aren't telling many people yet about this one, although I'm dying to tell everyone. I went to the doctor yesterday for my first ultrasound. I got to see the baby and hear the heartbeat at 121 beats per minute. They said everything looks really good. I just keep praying and asking God to help me not worry and just give me peace right now. I just pray we get to keep this baby. Every little tinge and funny thing that comes out of me makes me a little nervous. I know that worrying will not change what will happen. I pray God keeps me from worrying about everything. Jeff is SO excited He wants to tell everyone. He probably already has:) When I heard that little tiny baby's heartbeat..I just cried. Such a sweet sound. I hope We get to keep you! We already love you so much!

I wanted to write this because I know a lot of women struggle with miscarriage and getting pregnant. It's hard. It's draining. It's lonely.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him,you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I hope this gives some people comfort.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Answers In Genesis Curriculum


We are using a different curriculum for History this year if any one is interested in buying this please let me know. We are selling it for 50.00 it sells for 129.00. It is in very good condition we barely used it!

If this is how you think Starbucks SHOULD Be served then you will like this!



Stephen Colbert and Myself are now in bliss because of this!

Come to a participating Starbucks between 3 and 5 p.m., and enjoy a half-price Frappuccino® blended beverage.

Feel like getting a head start on happiness? You can create your own favorite Frappuccino® blended beverage right here. Share it with your friends and invite them to meet you. Starbucks is celebrating Happy Hour from now until May 16.



Empty Nest................in 18 years


So last night as I was laying in bed nursing my littlest, I just had all these thoughts and feelings about how I would feel when they are all out of the house. I was pretty sad about it. I asked my husband, "What are we going to do when they are gone?" Seriously, it will be just US! And not that that's a bad thing, but how weird is that going to be when there isn't anymore kids getting up to ask for water, or asking for help with homework, or someone to sit on the couch and cuddle with. I think what I will miss the most is all the loudness. With Mother's day just around the corner, I just want to take this time to really appreciate the Kids God has given me. I take for granted that one day they will be gone, out of my home and starting a new one of their one. I love them. And I thank God for them. But I am NOT looking forward to being an empty nester! I guess that's why God gives us grandchildren?

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)