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REAL FOOD Weekly Meal Plan

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:45:05 +0100

The last day of school is Wednesday - YAY! The beginning of the week is pretty busy with end of the year parties for kids and adults. We are still in baseball with hopes to finish playoffs this week if the rain stays away. I also want to go strawberry picking this week, so we will need easy meals that I can throw together in no time. I seriously have no idea how I would do it if I didn't create a meal plan every week.

REAL FOOD Weekly Meal Plan

Monday: It's my birthday! I have no idea what we will have for dinner but I do know that I WILL NOT be cooking it.

Tuesday: Another rainy day so Chicken Tortilla Soup is on the dinner menu

Wednesday: Hopefully there will be a baseball game so we need something quick. Grilled Sausage and Peppers will be an easy dinner. I can prepare all the peppers and onions before hand.

Thursday: Chicken Empanadas served with salad

Friday: Shrimp and Vegetable Stir fry with noodles

Saturday: Camping with friends so we will work together on dinner. I love making Chili ahead of time and then serving it with quesadillas

Sunday: It's Father's Day and with just coming home from camping we will order take out - hubby's choice

How do you find menu inspiration when you are at a loss? If you need help like I needed this week you can also become head over to Musings of a Housewife and see all the different meals that people post on her blog for Monday Menu Planning .

Changes In Our Food System

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:05:11 +0100

The first time I watched the movie FOOD INC was over 2 years ago. It was a life changing moment. I always had been health conscious, researched foods and the benefits of good foods but I didn't educate myself fully on all the toxins hidden in the foods we eat. After seeing how our food system has changed since the late 80’s because of Monsanto it made me realize that we are slowly killing ourselves without recognizing that we are doing anything wrong.

Monsanto created this great little genetically modified organism that they call a seed. These seeds have been artificially made to increase the food production of the plant and also keep those weeds away so that the plant can grow quicker and faster. Do you know what’s in that seed so it produces the way it does? Roundup – that’s right. The stuff we are putting on our lawn that could harm ourselves and animals are now going into the food we eat.

Nearly 80 percent of the corn and 90 percent of the soy we consume are genetically modified. Have you looked at a food label? Most of the processed foods we purchase have corn and soy listed as one of the ingredients. Don't think you are safe just by eating non-processed foods. You also need to worry about the meat and poultry we consume because those animals are being fed GMO grains which means....you guessed it - you are then eating GMO meat. So when I go grocery shopping and cook for my family I have 4 things that I constantly have in the back of my mind.

Know where your food comes from

If my great grandmother wouldn't recognize it – DON’T EAT IT

If my third grader can’t read the label – DON’T EAT IT

If I want junk food – make it myself from scratch

Click HERE for a larger image

My friends at Healthy Child Healthy World have created a great infographic that shows us how our food system has changed and how the toxins in our foods are causing cancer, obesity, immune system impacts, hormone disruption plus much more. I urge you to take charge of your health and educate yourself so that you can be fully informed when choosing foods for yourself and family. Just because the label on the box says “organic” or “natural” doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you – get to know your food and how it could be affecting your body.

What are some ways you protect your family of food toxins?

REAL FOOD: Weekly Meal Plan

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:38:44 +0100

It's been a few weeks since I've done a meal plan. With the Memorial Day holiday, traveling and just plain being over extended it's been challenging to stay up with posting my meal plans....but I've still done them. For me meal planning continues to keep me organized throughout the week, saves me money at the grocery store and keeps our family healthier because we are eating fresh cooked meals. This is what we are planning for this week.....I'd love for you to share your meal planning secrets with me, please share within the comments below.

REAL FOOD - Weekly Meal Plan

Monday: It's baseball tonight so we need something quick. I will make simple BLT sandwiches (using Applegate Turkey Bacon) and leftover macaroni salad that I made late last week.

Tuesday: The kids have been wanting corn on the cob so we will have that along with burgers made with the meat that I received from Philly Cow Share.

Wednesday: Karate Night is busy so we will have something from the freezer - Spinach Manicotti along with salad. Lasagna is a great meal to make a double batch of, since you are in the kitchen making it already make enough for 2 meals and freeze one for another date.

Thursday: I saw this Chicken Caesar Salad with grilled Romaine over at Musings of a Housewife and I knew I had to try it. Not sure if I will do the grilled romaine for the boys but they will have the salad raw including chicken.

Friday: Homemade pizzas served on flat bread

Saturday: Baseball games throughout the day make it hard to prepare a meal. We are making it easy and going with Shredded Chicken Nachos served with a nice cold beer :)

Sunday: Grilled Mahi served with Mango Salsa and salad. I will have soft tortilla available so if the boys want to make little tacos they can.

#FUNFRIDAYS - Kids Water Play

Fri, 31 May 2013 14:56:48 +0100

Even though it's not officially summer it sure feels like it outside. As parents we are trying out best to keep everyone happy and cool throughout these hot "almost" summer days. Who doesn't playing in the water? Water play with kids can be a inexpensive way to stay cool and have fun. With having 2 very active young boys I've had my challenges in this department. Here is what works for me.....

Kids Water Play

1. Pool - Don't have your own pool? No problem - Join a community pool in your area or set up a small pool in your backyard.

2. Sprinkler - This is one of the easiest ways to make them happy. Just place a inexpensive sprinkler in the backyard and let them run through it as many times as they would like.

3. Water Guns - Now I am not a fan of play guns, we don't have them in the house but when it comes to water I find it different because they are trying to get each other wet not pretend to kill one another. You can even make a game out of by making a fun squirt gun game using ping pong balls, wood and golf tees.

4. Water Table - We had one for years, it was perfect for them to use with their cars and animals, You can have just one big tub or get a duel tub water table and fill one half with sand. You don't even need to spend a lot of money - you can make your own water table with plastic bins.

5. Painting With Water - Get some old paint brushes and fill buckets with water and let them paint the house, sidewalk or even themselves.

6. Car Washing - Who wouldn't have fun with a hose and bucket of soapy water?

7. Water Balloons - This may take a little time to prepare so I suggest making the balloons the night before so they are ready in the morning. Check out this cool water balloon pinata which is perfect for a kids party or even everyday fun.

8.Frozen Fun - Gather a bunch of your kids small toys and place them in a large bucket or baggie of water and freeze the toys. Once they are frozen take out the container and let the kids use child size hammers, salt or warm water to get all the toys out.

Shredded Chicken Nachos

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:36:09 +0100

Whether you are a busy parent with less than 30 minutes to prepare a healthy meal, not interested in spending time in the kitchen or it's just too darn hot to cook - these shredded chicken nachos are perfect. These nachos are healthier and take no time at all once you have prepared the shredded chicken.

Shredded Chicken Nachos can easily be prepared in less than 30 minutes and are perfect for a fun weeknight meal or as a appetizer when casually entertaining. I used organic tortilla chips which I had on hand but you can use blue chip, multi colored chips...whatever is your favorite.

Shredded Chicken Nachos

Ingredients - this recipe is for a family of 4 which was made for dinner

3-4 cups of shredded chicken
2-3 cups (we love cheese) of shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1 cup of black beans
1 large tomato seeds removed and diced
1 jalapeno pepper - seeds removed and finely diced
1 bunch of green onions diced
Bed of mixed lettuce on each plate
Salsa
Sour Cream or plain greek yogurt for the topping

Directions

I like to take either a whole chicken or large chicken breast and slow cook them (directions of how to slow cook chicken is within the taco recipe), then shred. I place the shredded chicken in 2 cups servings and freeze until I am ready to use in nachos, tacos, enchiladas, or any other sort of dish that requires shredded chicken.

1. Place a bed of mixed greens on each plate

2. On a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper put a layer of your favorite tortilla chips, then add the chicken, cheese, beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, and onions

3. Place in the oven on 300 for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

4. Portion out the servings onto the plates and serve with salsa and sour cream or greek yogurt

You can be as creative as you want with the nachos. I also love to roast vegetables and put those on or kick it up another notch by adding different types of hot peppers. This can also be a fun DIY nacho night and have the kids make their own - just make sure they add some sort of veggie and protein.

What are some of your favorite FAST healthy meals that you like to cook for your family?

SUMMER FUN Kids Cooking Class

Wed, 29 May 2013 12:15:29 +0100

Cooking with little ones it can be an overwhelming for you and your child. If you are a bit apprehensive to try something like this at home, join me for a SUMMER FUN Cooking Class on June 1, 2013 at The Walden School. We will be cooking up fun foods that incorporate the garden and making a fun craft throughout. For more information and to reserve your spot please go to ----à http://bit.ly/15RijwH

When you get a child in the kitchen they feel "ownership" in the meal they created and are more apt to eat it or at least TRY it! There are many benefits of having your child create something in the kitchen.

They are introduced to new types of foods

Learn Math concepts

Become more independent

More apt to try a new food because “they” made it

Increase self esteem

Increase self confidence

Increase creativity and imagination

Better self image with comes with accomplishment

Cooking with children encourages creativity, an understanding of bad eating habits, responsibility and involvement. It’s never too early to start teaching your children the difference between healthy and non healthy foods. Teaching your child healthy nutrition habits will increase their awareness and they will form better eating habits that will go with them throughout their lives.

Begin the summer on a nutritious and creative note by joining me for the SUMMER FUN Kids Cooking Class on June 1st ----à http://bit.ly/15RijwH When you sign up to be apart of the O'Boy! Organic Community you will receive a 15% off Code for the Summer Fun Cooking Class. Hope to see you on Saturday!

#FunFridays - Memorial Day Festivals

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:31 +0100

It's another Fun Friday! Hope everyone had a great week and now are getting ready for a long weekend. We are celebrating Memorial Weekend at my husband's family house in West Virginia just minutes from the Greenbrier Hotel. If you've never been you need to make an effort to check it out.

Memorial Day is the start of the summer season. It doesn't matter what city you live in you will find fun things happening that are great for kids. We are in WV this weekend and it happens to be the annual Dandelion Festival, yes there really is a real event that celebrates the Dandelion. Here is what the West Virginians think of their dandelion.

The gutsy little flower fights its way through

velvety lawns, dodges mowers and weed killers,

and against all odds, reigns supreme as it

blankets our village each spring.

During the weekend long festival they have a ton of stuff to do for the kiddos. The kids are competing in a fishing contest and the fish hatchery, arts and crafts throughout the weekend, wine and cheese reception, bluegrass bands playing and lots of great local foods to be eaten. I wonder if they will have food made with dandelion greens?

So we will be celebrating with the dandelions this Memorial Day, but if you are not in the Greenbrier Valley area then check out some other things you can do throughout the US during this Memorial Day weekend

Live in the Southeast? Check out these Memorial Day Festivals. Live in the Northeast? Here are some fun Northeast Festivals in your states. You can even check out a whole list of festivals in the United States that are family friendly and a inexpensive way to spend the weekend together.

So what are your plans for this Memorial Day weekend? Share your posts and idea below within the comments and I will share your ideas with my community throughout the weekend.

Cleaning With Baking Soda

Thu, 30 May 2013 01:58:13 +0100

Everyone is trying to become more eco-friendly by purchasing earth friendly cleaning products. We are forgetting about one product that we normally use for baking that works wonders on stains, cleaning toys, silverware, countertops, produce, sponges etc.. plus deodorizing refrigerators, gym bags, closets, shoes – the list could go on and on.

Baking Soda is also known as Sodium bicarbonate. It is a chemical compound and its solid white that is crystalline but appears as a fine powder. It’s been used for cooking purposes and now we have discovered that it does wonders when cleaning and deodorizing – NATURALLY!

My top ways to use Baking Soda

CLEANING

Baby Toys and Bottles – Mix 4 Tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water and wipe down all the toys with a cloth, rinse and dry. When cleaning baby bottles fill with warm water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, shake and rinse. – this could be a fun job for a older brother or sister :)

Bathrooms – Mix ½ cup of baking soda with warm water to use when cleaning the sink, toilet, tub and floor

Sponges – Sponges can smell gross. Take 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water and soak the sponges. They will smell good as new

Countertops – With a wet sponge apply baking soda and wipe down food prep areas. You can also fill your sink with warm water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda and use to clean the countertops, cabinets and appliances.

Produce – When getting veggies from your garden or farmer’s market there will be dirt on the veggies. Dust the veggies off with baking soda and then scrub the veggies before rinsing.

Silver – Keep your nice silver sparking by making a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub into the silver and then clean with a cloth and rinse.

Car – Keep your car clean by mixing ¼ cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water and use that to clean the windows tires, mats and chrome.

Hair Brushes – Baking soda helps remove oil build up on your brushes. Soak the brushes in a sink of warm water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

DEODORIZING

Dishwasher – Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb food orders. This is extremely helpful if you have a older machine.

Trash Cans – Sprinkle baking soda in the can once in awhile and when you want to really clean it you can rinse it with 1 cup baking soda to 1 gal of water

Sink Drains – Sprinkle ½ cup baking soda into the drain while running warm water

Spills – After cleaning up a spill on carpet or upholstery sprinkle baking soda on the spot and let sit for awhile then vacuum

Recycling Bin – Sprinkle baking soda over the contents and bin so that it doesn’t stink. The best thing to do is to rinse out all items before placing things in the bins

Refrigerator – Place a box in your fridge and then replace monthly

Sports Bags – Sprinkle some directly into the bag once every few weeks

Closets – Do the same thing as you did with the fridge but replace every few months

Dogs – Sprinkle your pet with baking soda and then brush out. This is perfect for in-between baths

Sneakers – Sprinkle in shoes to get rid of sweat and orders

LAUNDRY

Sheet & Towels – Keep sheets and towels extra clean and fluffy just add ½ cup of baking soda into the washing machine

Clothes – When washing your clothes add 1 cup into the washing machine to brighten clothes

SUMMER

Camping Gear – Create a cleaning bucket of 4 tablespoons of baking soda to warm water and clean all your gear and let sit out to dry before packing it back up.

Grills – this is perfect for those greasy stains. Mix 10 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water and scrub everything and rinse with warm water

Pool Toys – use ¼ cup baking soda to 1 quart water and wipe everything down

Patio Furniture – Before shoring it scrub down everything with baking soda and a wet sponge, you can do the same when you get it back out in the spring.

STAINS

Tupperware – Baking soda is great for getting stains out, just soak your pasta stained tupperware in baking soda water and it will be stain free.

Coffee Makers – Scrub the glass of the coffee maker with baking soda water, this can also work on coffee cups and teapots. Stains really bad? Fill the containers with baking sodwater and let sit overnight before washing out.

Pots and Pans – shake a good amount of baking soda on the pot or pan and scrub with a sponge. If it’s really bad let it sit for about 15 minutes before washing off with dish soap.

Walls and Furniture – Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge and wipe on walls and furniture, then rinse with just water. Even works on crayon stains!

So you may need to buy a sh*&t load of baking soda but just think about how much money you are saving and also making your home a non-toxic environment by using baking soda to clean and deodorize with. If you want more ideas on how to use baking soda check out this book - Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of

Slow Cooker Cajun Stew

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:20:46 +0100

Slow Cooker Cajun Stew is a perfect weeknight meal or bring it as a potluck dish to a party. The base recipe calls for the main ingredients - carrots, celery, onions but you can mix it up - add mushrooms, peppers, zucchini or whatever you have on hand.

So the next time you need meal plan inspiration or a dish to pass for a potluck with friends try out this super easy slow cooker Cajun Stew.

Slow Cooker Cajun Stew

Ingredients

1 lb of turkey kielbasa sliced ½ inch thick

1 medium onion sliced into moon shapes

2 carrots finely diced

4 gloves of garlic minced

3 celery stalks finely chopped

1 pepper – either orange or yellow diced

½ lb of any sort of mushrooms coarsely chopped

1 can of diced tomatoes

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined

1 cup of chicken or veggie broth

Directions

Place all the ingredients except the shrimp into the slow cooker, cover and cook until the veggies are tender – about 7 hours on low or 3 hours on high. Each slow cooker is different so you can judge for yourself. About 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, add the shrimp.

Serve with rice, couscous, barley or quinoa.

FUN FRIDAYS – Quality Time

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:43:05 +0100

I will not spend this weekend with my sons. I am traveling to Florida to be with my mom for Mothers Day. One thing I’ve learned over the last year after finding out my mom has stage 4 lung cancer is that quality time matters….A LOT!

This is also the first Mothers Day that I am really sad that I will not be with my boys for Mothers Day. Say what you want about that statement. My boys are 5 and 7 years old which means for a very long time I’ve been changing dirty diapers, wiping butts, giving baths, making meals they will not eat, getting up in the middle of night, and other things moms do on a daily basis because that is what moms do but may not always like it.

I’ve always felt that I wanted “Mother’s Day” to be a day all to me, spent it my garden, sleeping in and not doing a thing unless it was for ME. This year it’s a bit different, not sure if it’s because of all the traveling I've been doing, the age of my children or that I am losing my own mom. I NEED my boys. I want to share the day with the children I gave birth to and have them to garden next to me, cook with me and just be together doing the things we love.

My son and I showing off our finished project

Getting my nails painted

Instead of having a traditional Mothers Day with my children we had some quality time on Thursday during a special event at their school – Mothers Morning. I spent time in each of their classrooms doing lessons, projects, having my nails painted and jewelry cleaned by my son. Then as a special treat, I took them out of school for a bit and the three of us had a fantastic lunch together.

My beautiful handmade fingerprint necklace made by my son

It’s moments like yesterday that make me really appreciate the joy of motherhood. I am truly blessed to have these children in my life. So for this FUN FRIDAY my suggestion to you is to spend quality time with your kids. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on taking them to museums, events or amusement parks. Read books, have lunch together, play outdoors, just BE TOGETHER -because you have no idea when those moments will pass. My children are getting older and eventually they will not want to be with me, so I plan to eat up those moments now.

Yes, we need time to ourselves but take this advice from someone that is losing one of the most important people in her life – you can’t get moments back - make the best of the time you have together with your children.

Share your favorite ways to spend quality time together with your children. Link up to my FUN FRIDAYS post and I will make sure to share your ideas with my community throughout the week.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! I wish you to have lots of quality time with the ones you love.

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