The righteous are as bold as a lion

A few years ago I started making handprint canvases of each kindergarten Bible class we teach.  We hang them in our classroom for decoration, and the kids love them.  I will try to post the previous ones when I remember to take pictures!  Here is our latest addition!  It turned out so cute!

Play Ball!

One of our favorite family traditions is to have an "opening day" party when baseball season starts.  Of course, we have to make sure to have the "essentials" while we watch the opening day game!

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks...

Of course, we also had hot dogs and ice cream (in little baseball helmets!).  Such a fun day!

We kept up the baseball theme for my birthday last week.  Check out the cute cake my kiddos (and husband) made...with all natural ingredients!  Except the shortening in the icing. :)

King Hezekiah

This lesson just did NOT want to come together for me!  I struggled and struggled with it!  Not sure why, but it just wasn't working.   It ended up going well, though, and here is what I finally came up with, for what it's worth!

When the kids came in, they decorated a crown and put it on a craft stick.

When we were finished with that, I told the story of King Hezekiah.  I used laminated coloring pages to represent parts of the story.   Crown = Our story is about a good king named Hezekiah.   statues = idols he took down/destroyed.  Soldier w/helmet = Assyrian leader   Praying hands = Hezekiah prayed for Lord to help   Army = God made it so other army left    Sick face = Hezekiah got sick and was going to die   2nd praying hands = He prayed for God to heal him   Ear = God heard his prayer and extended his life    Sundial = God gave him the sign of sundial going back

Every time I said his name, the kiddos had to hold the crown up on their heads.  This produced more than a few giggles, but it also meant that they listened VERY WELL so that they could try to be the first to get the crown on their heads!  We talked about how he loved God and prayed before making decisions as well as when he was told his life would end.  When we talked about the sundial moving back 10 degrees, we made these.

I just made a "clock face" in Microsoft word and used clip art to help the kiddos retell that part of the story. They glued this to a cheap paper plate.   The first picture (at "1:00/2:00") shows a sickly Hezekiah.   "4:00/5:00" shows him praying.  "7:00/8:00" shows that God heard his prayer.   "10:00/11:00" shows a sundial.  Then, I cut out triangles of stiff paper (actually, a file folder that was not being used!), folded over the bottom, and attached it to the sundial.  with a brad.  As they told the story, they could turn the sundial to the correct picture.  I let each one who wanted to retell the story to the class.  They did great with this.  I was quite pleased!  We also had a review activity, but it wasn't fancy.  Just answering questions by raising their crowns.

Easter Recipe Roundup

Oh...holidays.  They seem to revolve totally around food...which means I get to break out some new recipes!  Here are our most recent additions to our recipes.  Enjoy!

Homemade "Peeps" - the honey flavor in this was WAY too strong, even for me.  The consistency was great, the "Peeps" were fun to make, the kids had a blast, but the taste just wasn't right.  Next time we'll try a recipe that uses something besides honey.  "Natural" marshmallows are hard to find, which is why we tried to make our own.

Homemade "Cadbury" Chocolates  - OH....YUM.  Cadbury eggs are my all-time favorite candy.  Ever.  They mocked me from the checkout everywhere I went this month, so I had to tackle this recipe!  We made them in mini muffin pans because I could not find an egg mold ANYWHERE.  They were AMAZING.  I didn't bother with the yellow "yolk" part since they were muffin shaped anyway.  Everyone loved them.  Even my husband, who doesn't like Cadbury eggs, said they were "pretty good."

Banana Muffins - I made these last night so we'd have a quick and easy breakfast this morning, and they were great!  Hearty, filling, and just enough sweet.  Both kids scarfed them down.  :) I paired it with some natural cheese for protein.  The author of this recipe originally used it as banana bread, but it worked great as muffins, too!

All natural homemade mac and cheese - finally!  A recipe that gets my husband's approval!!   It only took about 47 attempts to find the right one! The amounts will vary depending on how much mac and cheese you are making and how cheesy you want it!  But, use 2 parts all natural white american cheese (I use Boar's Head from Ingles deli) to one part natural sharp cheddar cheese.  Add to cooked pasta along with pat of butter and about 1 - 2 TBSP milk and stir on low until cheese is melted and gooey and delicious.   The final consensus was that "it's not quite like Velveeta, but it's delicious."  :) It is a little pricey to make with this cheese, but, to be able to have a FAVORITE food occasionally, it is totally worth it to us.

Pancakes  We have played around with pancake recipes for a long time, as well.  This is our go-to recipe now.  The kids call it "Daddy's secret pancakes" because he was the first to try them.  We do use white whole wheat flour instead of regular all purpose, and they turn out delicious every time.   Here is the Easter version we had over the weekend. :)  "Bunny cakes!"   The tail is an all-natural marshmallow and the paw prints are raisins.

Bunny Bread - Our Keepers girls made these cute rolls last week and they were yummy!  I didn't have all the spices, so I substituted Mrs. Dash Garlic Herb.

Summary of our food choices

I keep getting requests for a summary of our new food choices, how we started, where we are now, etc.  So, this is an email I sent to a friend.  It is super long and some of it I've already written about, but maybe it will be helpful to post all in one place.  Let me know what ?'s you have!  Also, any brands I mention are just because we like them and use them.  I am not compensated in any way for mentioning them! :)

We have taken a pretty drastic approach to eating natural at our house.  Everyone wouldn't need to be this drastic.  So, I'll tell you what we do, and you can take it from there, but please don't think that I would think you aren't doing a good job if you don't do what we do!  I think every step taken to cut out unnatural stuff is fabulous.  I'd like to eventually move towards even fewer processed foods, but with the kids in school, right now I'm taking it one step at a time.  

My daughter has severe OCD, anxiety, and depression even at such a young age and has been in therapy since she was 3.  We started this plan because of her brother's hyperactive behavior, and it has helped him, but it has completely transformed her.  She is like a completely different child.  Her emotional control is better, her social anxiety has decreased, and even many manifestations of her OCD have diminished. She used to have meltdowns that could last for hours of out of control crying, anger, and screaming, but not anymore.  Now her "tantrums" are much more age appropriate.  She also used to have severe nightmares/night terrors, and those have mostly been eliminated.  Add to that some more personal issues she had, and they, too, have diminished.  She used to be unable to carry on a conversation with other children, but occasionally now she even seeks them out! Her therapist has been shocked by it, as have we!  I had no clue it would make such a difference for her.  I had not planned to be quite so strict/diligent about it, but even she, at 8 years old, can tell the difference it makes.  So...I will sound extreme and over-the-top in how far we have taken it, but it is simply because our life has changed so drastically from it.  

Basically, we have cut out everything artificial. We are also using all whole grains (I use white whole wheat flour from Gold Medal or King Arthur for all my baking now, including our breads because I haven't found a great natural one at the store). I am HOPING to even mill our own flour when/if we can save enough for a mill.  We don't allow any artificial dyes, colors, fragrances (when possible), preservatives, additives, and sweeteners.  So, no yellow #5, red #40, etc.  Annatto coloring & beta carotene are natural and most people don't react to them.  The main preservatives we look for are BHA , BHT, and TBHQ (sometimes listed on packaging, and sometimes not).   We have also cut out caramel color, vanillin/artificial vanilla, and all artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, etc.  I am trying to limit/reduce any high fructose corn syrup as well, but at the moment I am allowing CapriSuns with no dyes or artificial flavors when the kids have events at school.  I am watching for MSG  and nitrites/nitrates (think hot dogs and bacon) as well when I can.  We are essentially following this plan:  http://www.feingold.org/    This plan is an elimination plan used to determine allergies, etc., so we also eliminated some fruits and vegetables initially while we detoxed from artificial stuff, but I don't think that's necessary for everyone.  I do allow a few things not "on their plan" that we do not seem to react to.  We only found one big thing our kids reacted to (apples) in our elimination process. My son can still have them maybe twice a week without ill effects, but my daughter only once in a blue moon.   More than twice in a week and she has extreme reactions to them.  Also, we pretty much went "cold turkey" on this.  We started over Xmas break before the kiddos went back to school.  

Obviously, the best way to eat natural is to stick with fruits, veggies, lean meats, dairy, and grains, nuts, etc. in their most natural state.  HOWEVER, that is often easier said than done!  It is just reality in our day and time that we sometimes need convenience.  So, I have researched that extensively and am learning every day!  Almost all of these natural things are more filling, and thus we eat less. I am hopeful that when school is out and we don't have to send "non-perishable" snacks for them to have in class I can move us to all "real food/whole food" snacks without the convenience products unless we are traveling.

We have switched to full-fat dairy.  I hate it when I put it on my WW points list, but it doesn't have additives like Vitamin A palmitate, which can cause those who are sensitive to chemicals to react.  Also, it's more filling, so we use less.   We use Sargento Natural cheese slices for the most part, but also some cheese sliced in the deli or some store brand shredded cheese if we need to.

I have a complete "approved food" list that I got from the feingold site when I purchased their materials, but it wasn't as helpful as I had hoped because most of the foods listed in it are from stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. (Side note:  There is a Whole Foods and Trader Joe's an hour from us which we are going to start using occasionally for stocking up on things).   However, I have been to our local healthier supermarket  a few times with good success.  EVERYTHING there meets our qualifications, unless we are in the middle of an elimination phase.  They are somewhat pricey on produce and freezer foods, but if you sign up for their emails, they have decent coupons and deals on their groceries if you watch for them.   Also, Kroger has a new line of products called "Simple Truth" that is free from 101 artificial ingredients and preservatives.  They are very affordably priced, almost completely in line with "regular" brands.  

There is a brand of snacks called Annie's Homegrown Organics.  They make cheddar bunnies (like goldfish), cheddar snack mixes, honey graham bunnies (like teddy grahams), gummy fruit snacks and others.  They also make macaroni and cheese that is natural, as well as salad dressings.  I THINK they make some cereals, too, but I haven't found them yet.  Ingles has the best selection of Annie's goods that I have found.  Earth Fare has them, but they are pricier.   Whoever makes Cheetos has a new line called "simply" that is free of preservatives.  THey make "simply cheetos," "simply ruffles," etc.  Kettle Brand has lots of "natural" chips.  

My son loves snack bars, and he says the Clif brand bars are really good.  They make a kids' size, some granola bars, and full "meal replacement" sized energy bars.  He has taken them a time or two instead of a sandwich or wrap for lunch.  Original Pringles are also "natural" ingredients (albeit not very healthy!) and come in snack sizes which are convenient for the kids to take to school.  My kids also like Veggie Straws (in the rice cake section at Walmart) that are basically veggie chips.  Trail mixes can be good, too, if you avoid the M&M kind (although some of the health stores have yummy natural M&Ms....my favorite candy!).  

For cereal, SunBelt bakery makes some preservative free granola that is good.  Kashi is generally natural as well, as is "Mom's best cereals."  My son likes EnviroKidz  because it is "kid friendly."  He likes the Leapin' Lemurs peanut butter and chocolate flavor.  

For lunch meats, bacon, hot dogs, etc., we are looking for those without nitrates and nitrites.  I buy Hormel Natural Choice lunchmeat (Walmart is the cheapest).  Hormel also has uncured pepperoni and bacon, and so does the new Kroger Simple Truth brand.  Oscar Mayer and BallPark both have uncured hot dogs that are good.  

I have been making most of my bread, rolls, etc. from scratch, but I have found a few convenience items that I love to use in a pinch.  Ingles sells a brand of refrigerated crescent rolls and cookie dough called Immaculate Baking that is good.  EarthFare has more options from that brand, but they are pricier. 

I have replaced sugar in almost all of my baked goods with honey. It supposedly is healthier and helps with blood sugar issues (which I have).   I do still allow my kids sugar, though.  As a matter of fact, the first few weeks of this I erred on the side of sweets in order to encourage compliance with our plan, and they actually had more treats than some of their friends!  They have taken it in stride well.  We have explained it to them every step of the way. and they realize they feel better, so they have done well with it. I  won't say they LIKE it, but they have done great, and it is growing on them. 

We have gone so far as to choose natural candies (sounds weird, I know), natural gum, natural sprinkles, and even natural icing and candy colors for birthdays.   For us, it just seems necessary.  

This is sometimes hard to reconcile with weight watchers.  It is hard to focus on both at the same time, but I'm getting back in stride.

I know this is sooo long...but I've tried to be thorough!  Let me know what questions you have!!  I'm not perfect at this and I certainly don't have all the answers, but about 15 weeks into this, I feel like I am gaining momentum.  I believe this has been soooo helpful for us and I think it can be for others as well!

Elijah and Mt Carmel

I almost decided not to post this lesson, as it wasn't all I wanted it to be.  We were wiped out last week with a stomach bug, and Sunday morning on the way out the door it hit my husband, so I was solo with the kiddos, more than a little stressed, and rather chaotic!  Plus, I was recovering from feeling icky, so I wasn't my full teacher-self.  I'll post what we DID do, and then make some notes about what else I had planned.

Our starter activity was for the kids to color (with sharpies!) some laminated storytelling pieces about Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal.  (I had cut them out, laminated them, and put small pieces of magnet tape on the back).  This was a good opener while the kids straggled in...AND they got to use permanent markers, which just made their morning.  It lasted a little longer than I had planned because some of our kiddos came in more than a little late.  As they colored, we reviewed previous lessons using our word wall.

When it was time to tell the story, I told the first part of Elijah's ministry by drawing out the story on a white board.  (This ended up being more challenging than it should have, as someone had left the lids off our dry erase markers...)  The kids always enjoy having me draw out things, as my drawing skills leave much to be desired!  We end up with lots of stick people!  When I teach a story this way, I draw pieces of the story as we go.  I do a lot of "questioning" when I teach, such as "What do you think happened next?" or "Why do you think God told us that part of the story?" or "Oooh, how do you think King Ahab felt when Elijah challenged his pretend god, Baal?"  The more invested they can get in the story, the more they pay attention AND the more they remember!

When we got to the part about the contest on Mount Carmel, I passed out their individual pizza pans/cookie sheets that we keep in our classroom.  As I told this part of the story, I added magnetic pieces to MY board and they copied me with theirs.  They always LOVE the part about Elijah mocking the prophets and asking if their "god" is on vacation or asleep.  :)  After we finished the story, they got to retell it piece by piece as a group.  They took turns and did a great job!

Side note:  What I INTENDED to do first for this part was to bring in a large bowl, "build" an altar with 12 stones, dump 12 waterpots (dixie cups) of water over the altar, and try to light it with a grill lighter to show the kiddos that it would be impossible to catch that on fire without God's intervention.  However, when my hubby got sick  10 minutes before time to go, I dropped everything to help him and left it behind.

The next activity was supposed to be a scrapbook page I made with "stones" representing the 12 tribes of Israel to cut out and glue on an altar page.   However, that page got left behind in the chaos of the morning, so we improvised!  I quickly ripped up pieces of brown paper into rough rectangles, had each kid count out 12, and let them glue them onto a backgrouund page.  Then, we tore red, orange, and yellow construction paper to make "flames" to put on the altars.  I didn't get a picture of this and my co-teacher has already taken them home and put them in the kids' scrapbooks, so you'll just have to imagine it...or maybe my son can make another one. :)  Although my planned page was more "professional" looking, I'm not so sure that I didn't like the improv version better!

Afterwards, we had time for a quick review using our "Parent Review Card" that I send home each week.

Last, we played a game to help us work on our current "pew packer" memory card for evening services.  Prior to our evening services, one of the men in our congregation works on memory cards with the kiddos.  When they know the card and can tell an elder, they get trophies.  My class is working on the junior version together, so this week we played a jumping game.  I cut out and laminated the chapter names and subjects for each entry on the card and the kids had to jump from each chapter to the corresponding subject and say it out loud.  My classroom is super small, so there was the added challenge of not knocking each other over.  Ha! Fun times, and they did great!

DeNial's not a river in Egypt

18 months ago when I joined Weight Watchers, I had nearly instant success.  Those stubborn pounds I'd been holding onto since baby #2 started melting off.   It was so EASY.  And so MOTIVATING.  When the weight loss slowed down, I'd tweak a few things and it would start up again.  30 lbs gone, just like that!  And then, last April, began THE PLATEAU.  After a few weeks of no scale movement, I started asking my leaders for help.   I tried anything and everything they suggested, but no luck.  I'd be up a pound or two, and down those same pounds.  This went on for a LONG time.  As a matter of fact, a year later it's STILL going on.  Only this time, I'm up a pound or two, and then up another pound or two!  There isn't much "down a pound" going on.   I have gained back anywhere from 5-10 of the lbs I lost, depending on the day.   I have tried every "tweak" to the program that I can think of!  I've tried cutting back on my points as far as they will allow.  I've tried the new Simple Start program (which seems to work WONDERS for some!).  I've tried eating a ton of points for a day or two and then cutting back.  I've tried using my weeklies, I've tried not using my weeklies.  And then, the past two weeks, I just haven't tried.   I would track a day or two and then get busy and not track.   Let me tell you...that does NOT work.

So, this weekend was my 35th bday.  18 months ago I committed to being at my goal weight by 35.  My husband has never known me at a healthy weight, and I felt like I owed that to him (and to my family!) so that I can be healthy and be around for them longer.  I started the program for ME, but along the way I added them to my reasons for motivation.  However, as time has gone on, it is easier and easier to let things slip by unnoticed.  A pound or two here or there is easy to ignore, but now I can't ignore it anymore.  DeNial's not a river.  It's a state of mind! 

Last Spring, I bought clothes at my new size, and that's all I've got, so the slide has to stop here and now.  My "fat" clothes are all gone.  I trashed them last year to keep me from going back! I am finally "settled" in our new eating plan of all natural ingredients, so now I can get back to taking care of ME.  I usually don't post things like this, but I need to be held accountable! :)  The biggest "backslide" I have made is not PRE-planning and PRE-tracking.  When I was losing regularly, those were my non-negotiable tools.  So, starting today, I am getting back onto the pre-planning and pre-tracking train.   If any of you want to join me on that, let me know!  We can hold each other accountable!  When I started this, I had reminders and motivation posted all over my house for when my enthusiasm waned.  I am posting those up again this week.  I deserve this.   My family deserves this.   We are worth it! :)  Just keep swimming, only not in DeNial! :) 

Just wait...

I read a post today from a faithful Christian woman who is expecting her first child.  She was frustrated about all the "horror" stories she hears as a pregnant woman from well-meaning friends and family.  She was discouraged by all the "do this now before baby comes," and "Oh, just wait for this bad thing to happen in parenthood..."   I was touched by her vulnerability and honesty, as well as her request for encouraging replies letting her know the GOOD things she could look forward to.  I couldn't help but reply about this wonderful, crazy, yet rewarding thing we call motherhood.  Especially this week, I, too, needed to be reminded that it IS worth it!!  Here is my reply, for what it is worth.

I have always wondered what it is about a pregnant belly that invites so much unsolicited advice and story-sharing, even from total strangers! Also, it always amazed me when total strangers would come up and rub my belly. I always wanted to reach out and rub theirs back to see how they reacted.  I do think, though, that people feel validated and connected by sharing the details of their difficult labors or pregnancies, their sleepless nights, and their poop-covered clothing. Childbirth is simultaneously both the most humbling and empowering event a woman can experience! After I had my first child, I felt like if I could do that, I could conquer the world! (And, that is despite some difficult moments during labor. Who cares about those even a split second after the baby arrives?) While most of the “horror” stories people share are, indeed, reality, even the most “horrible” events in parenting can bring such strength and growth and bonding! Without some bumps along the road, would we truly appreciate the good moments? We have experienced some heart wrenching things with our children, but we learn and grow and change so much by experiencing the rough parts. Will there be sleepless nights? Many. Will there be extra laundry? You betcha. Will there be days you want to sit down in the floor and throw a tantrum to match your overtired toddler? Undoubtedly. Will you sometimes feel like this is just more than you can handle? Yes. But, just wait…

Just wait…til you see that first little real smile (not the gassy kind) directed straight at you.

Just wait…til you hear that first belly laugh. You’ll do the craziest things to bring it back again and again. You might even call the grandparents just to let them listen.

Just wait…til you see your son walking hand in hand with their Daddy and even their gait matches his.

Just wait…til your daughter shows up with “eyeliner” courtsey a purple Sharpie on your way out the door for family pictures.

Just wait…til your child says his first solo prayer and thanks God for the napkins, the chairs, the sticky floor, the dirt, the sky, Grandma, Grandpa, the people next door, my friend down the street, the cat, my blankie, my pillow, my corn, my potatoes, my chicken, and my…”Hey Mom, what IS this?…” and on and on.

Just wait…til your child lets go and takes her first steps while you hold your breath…and your camera…and your video camera…and the iPad while you FaceTime grandparents.

Just wait…til you hear a tiny little voice joining yours in praise to God.

Just wait…til you are teaching the books of the Bible to your little one and they can’t quite say the words right but it doesn’t matter because they are trying!

Just wait…til you can finally understand a tiny little bit of what God must have felt when He sent His only son to earth to suffer and sacrifice and laugh and cry…and save.

Just wait…it’s amazing. And scary. And exhausting. And invigorating. And sad. And happy. And fun. And special. And so much more than you could ever hope or imagine or dream…if you got to sleep, that is! 

Better yet, don’t “just wait.” Enjoy every moment that you have with your baby now while you are always together, later when you bring them into this world, and every moment that God blesses you and your husband with taking care of this precious blessing and this special soul.