I have a ton to do today, so this is just a quick report on my mostly raw food day yesterday.
I felt amazing.
All day.
I ate my failed spinach smoothie attempt (all raw), salad with some crackers (not raw crackers, but whole grain), my amazing tomato and pesto lunch (all raw), another salad with some pita bread (not raw pita, but whole wheat).
Then ...
My final salad was very small (finished my veggies off ... heading to the farmer's market and produce department today to restock), so as I was eating it, I was already telling myself that it was "just a snack" and "this isn't enough for dinner, I'll eat something else after I put the girls to bed".
(In case you're wondering, we do normally have family dinners, but Friday night has become "Pancake Night" around here. The girls look forward to it every week. Daddy loves it. I, though, did not want to end my raw day with pan-fried flour, so I passed.)
Not sure if I was actually hungry or if I'd just told myself I would be hungry, but I had to eat again.
By this point, my raw options were limited (because of my understocked kitchen).
So, I (sadly) decided on some triscuits (whole wheat) with organic raw sharp cheddar cheese and salsa.
I kid you not, I am not making this up. I swear.
Within less than 30 minutes, I got a sinus migraine and eventually a sore throat.
Was it the non-raw food? Was it the dairy? Was it the gluten?
I'll never know.
But, what I do know is, I felt amazing yesterday... until I ate that.
*****
On a side note ...
I knew today would be difficult (until I made it to the farmer's market and store), but I didn't want to just throw in the towel.
So, last night I put some whole, raw old fashioned oats and some raisins in a bowl with filtered water. I placed a plate over it and let it set all night.
This morning, it is 100% soaked, plump and fluffy. The small bit of liquid that remains is creamy. Like I made my own oat milk (a favorite of mine anyway).
I just added some Raw Agave, cinnamon and nutmeg and it is DELICIOUS!
So, if you never thought you could eat raw oatmeal ... I'm here to tell you that you CAN!
Wishing you a wonderfully blessed day! I'm off to clean my house and get ready for my day.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Spinach and Pine Nut Recipes
Three posts in one day? Must be the raw food day I've been enjoying. :-)
My mom requested some recipes from me, and I thought it might be easiest to post them here (I know some of my other friends love recipes, too). I wish I could post pictures, but my camera's USB cord was recently deemed a chew toy by my dogs and I have yet to replace it. Sorry. :)
My mom and I were talking about real, whole foods and we got to talking about nuts and seeds.
I mentioned how much I love pine nuts (they melt in your mouth, really). She didn't know what to do with them. I rattled off several things I do with them. She wants the recipes.
So, here are a few ...
Easiest Ever Spinach Pesto
2 Cups Organic Baby Spinach Leaves, packed
1 Lemon (juice and zest)
1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts (buy them raw, toast them to bring out the flavor)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Sea Salt (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Freshly Ground Pepper
Put your pine nuts in a small dry pan on your stove and turn the heat on low to medium-low. You just want to bring out their flavors, not burn them. So, pay attention, if you can smell them, they're good. Keep moving them around a bit to toast them up evenly. Again, you're not looking to change their color, just bring out the flavor a bit.
In your food processor, with the S-blade, place the spinach, pine nuts, zest from one whole lemon and juice from 1/2 of the lemon (juice it over a small strainer so as to avoid dropping the seeds in or turn it upside down and catch them in your hand). Begin to process and add EVOO as it is processing. I don't have a set amount ... just whatever makes a good consistency and looks good, without becoming too greasy. I'd guesstimate about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Scrape the sides and process some more, until it is well blended.
In a separate bowl, scrape out the mixture you just processed (please use a spatula and don't waste all that yummy goodness on the sides), add the Parmesan (freshly grated tastes great, but is a bit annoying and time-consuming, so I won't tell anyone if you use store-bought grated Parmesan), sea salt and pepper. Stir to combine and enjoy.
This is great tossed with whole wheat thin spaghetti (I've stretched it to feed my family of four and I've also served it to just my husband and I with really saucy pasta, so this would be 2 to 4 servings, depending on how much pesto you like), or you could go totally raw (except for that cheese) and eat it this way:
Place a thick slice of home-grown or farmer's market-bought (FRESH) tomato on your plate. Top with pesto and freshly ground pepper. Top with another tomato slice, more pesto and more pepper. Surround it with torn Organic Romaine Lettuce Leaves and serve with a knife and fork. Looks amazingly gourmet, tastes phenomenal, takes less than five minutes to make and will make you feel wonderful!
Quick Spinach, Avocado & Pine Nuts Salad
Organic Baby Spinach Leaves
Toasted Pine Nuts
Lemon Juice
Avocado
Sea Salt
No measurements here. This was just a favorite breakfast (or snack) of mine for a while. Toast your pine nuts as listed above. Place some spinach in a bowl, add some diced or sliced avocado, squeeze some lemon juice on top, sprinkle with sea salt and pine nuts. ENJOY!
Pasta with Spinach, Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
4 servings of any short whole wheat pasta (penne, rotini, etc.)
1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts
EVOO
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Red Pepper Flakes
1 Onion, chopped
1 can Organic Diced Tomatoes
Organic Baby Spinach, about 3 cups
1 tsp Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Start your water to boil for the pasta (place a lid on the water to get it to a boil faster). Cook pasta to al dente, according to directions.
Place your raw pine nuts in a dry pan on low to medium-low. Toast the pine nuts as listed above.
Mince your garlic.
In a deep skillet, add EVOO, a couple shakes of red pepper flakes (depends on your taste for heat) and minced garlic. Turn heat to low and let the garlic and red pepper hang out in the oil as it warms gently. This will release their flavors and sort of infuse the oil.
Chop your onion.
Add onion to the oil and turn the heat up a bit to saute the onion. When it is sauteed, add in the can of tomatoes and stir. Cook and stir and add in the spinach in handfuls. Add sea salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
Cook and stir just long enough to heat through and wilt your spinach.
To serve, toss the spinach mixture with pasta and top with toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese (leave out the parm if you're vegan).
******
Hope you enjoy! These are all SUPER EASY, use only a few of the same ingredients and are simply DELICIOUS!
My mom requested some recipes from me, and I thought it might be easiest to post them here (I know some of my other friends love recipes, too). I wish I could post pictures, but my camera's USB cord was recently deemed a chew toy by my dogs and I have yet to replace it. Sorry. :)
My mom and I were talking about real, whole foods and we got to talking about nuts and seeds.
I mentioned how much I love pine nuts (they melt in your mouth, really). She didn't know what to do with them. I rattled off several things I do with them. She wants the recipes.
So, here are a few ...
Easiest Ever Spinach Pesto
2 Cups Organic Baby Spinach Leaves, packed
1 Lemon (juice and zest)
1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts (buy them raw, toast them to bring out the flavor)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Sea Salt (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Freshly Ground Pepper
Put your pine nuts in a small dry pan on your stove and turn the heat on low to medium-low. You just want to bring out their flavors, not burn them. So, pay attention, if you can smell them, they're good. Keep moving them around a bit to toast them up evenly. Again, you're not looking to change their color, just bring out the flavor a bit.
In your food processor, with the S-blade, place the spinach, pine nuts, zest from one whole lemon and juice from 1/2 of the lemon (juice it over a small strainer so as to avoid dropping the seeds in or turn it upside down and catch them in your hand). Begin to process and add EVOO as it is processing. I don't have a set amount ... just whatever makes a good consistency and looks good, without becoming too greasy. I'd guesstimate about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Scrape the sides and process some more, until it is well blended.
In a separate bowl, scrape out the mixture you just processed (please use a spatula and don't waste all that yummy goodness on the sides), add the Parmesan (freshly grated tastes great, but is a bit annoying and time-consuming, so I won't tell anyone if you use store-bought grated Parmesan), sea salt and pepper. Stir to combine and enjoy.
This is great tossed with whole wheat thin spaghetti (I've stretched it to feed my family of four and I've also served it to just my husband and I with really saucy pasta, so this would be 2 to 4 servings, depending on how much pesto you like), or you could go totally raw (except for that cheese) and eat it this way:
Place a thick slice of home-grown or farmer's market-bought (FRESH) tomato on your plate. Top with pesto and freshly ground pepper. Top with another tomato slice, more pesto and more pepper. Surround it with torn Organic Romaine Lettuce Leaves and serve with a knife and fork. Looks amazingly gourmet, tastes phenomenal, takes less than five minutes to make and will make you feel wonderful!
Quick Spinach, Avocado & Pine Nuts Salad
Organic Baby Spinach Leaves
Toasted Pine Nuts
Lemon Juice
Avocado
Sea Salt
No measurements here. This was just a favorite breakfast (or snack) of mine for a while. Toast your pine nuts as listed above. Place some spinach in a bowl, add some diced or sliced avocado, squeeze some lemon juice on top, sprinkle with sea salt and pine nuts. ENJOY!
Pasta with Spinach, Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
4 servings of any short whole wheat pasta (penne, rotini, etc.)
1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts
EVOO
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Red Pepper Flakes
1 Onion, chopped
1 can Organic Diced Tomatoes
Organic Baby Spinach, about 3 cups
1 tsp Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Start your water to boil for the pasta (place a lid on the water to get it to a boil faster). Cook pasta to al dente, according to directions.
Place your raw pine nuts in a dry pan on low to medium-low. Toast the pine nuts as listed above.
Mince your garlic.
In a deep skillet, add EVOO, a couple shakes of red pepper flakes (depends on your taste for heat) and minced garlic. Turn heat to low and let the garlic and red pepper hang out in the oil as it warms gently. This will release their flavors and sort of infuse the oil.
Chop your onion.
Add onion to the oil and turn the heat up a bit to saute the onion. When it is sauteed, add in the can of tomatoes and stir. Cook and stir and add in the spinach in handfuls. Add sea salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
Cook and stir just long enough to heat through and wilt your spinach.
To serve, toss the spinach mixture with pasta and top with toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese (leave out the parm if you're vegan).
******
Hope you enjoy! These are all SUPER EASY, use only a few of the same ingredients and are simply DELICIOUS!
Daybook
Outside my window ... a small taste of fall. Girls are playing outside, the air is cool, there is no humidity, it is beautiful!
I am thinking ... that I am so happy about the time of year we are beginning. My absolute favorite time of year is fall. I love the cool, crisp air. I love the windows open. I love football. I love the holidays. I love all things about this time of year. From now until about May will be just amazing!
I am thankful for ... the blessings of God, my family, my health, my home, the opportunity to stay home and care for my family and home.
From the learning rooms ... a ton, as always. Lots of reading, lots of discussion, living math, etc. But, requests have been made from a certain little Princess for "school". She's my angel who LOVES school. So, we'll be getting back to more of a school rhythm. All of our activities are getting going, we're getting busy and we'll be doing more "school" on our home days. Of course, we are learning all the time, though!
From the kitchen ... wanting to go more raw again, trying to figure out where to start. I think once I get my trusty blender in hand, I will start there. A beautiful woman suggested that anyone wishing to go raw should start with 30 days of having a minimum of 1 liter of green smoothie per day. Get your body detoxing for those 30 days and get healthier before going cold turkey and making yourself sick from the toxins. So, that's the plan. 30 days of green smoothies and more and more raw recipes throughout the day before getting too drastic.
I am wearing ... pjs. I know, I know. Shame on me. I've been busy eating and blogging this morning and have yet to make my bed, brush my teeth or get dressed. Shame, shame.
I am thinking ... that I am so happy about the time of year we are beginning. My absolute favorite time of year is fall. I love the cool, crisp air. I love the windows open. I love football. I love the holidays. I love all things about this time of year. From now until about May will be just amazing!
I am thankful for ... the blessings of God, my family, my health, my home, the opportunity to stay home and care for my family and home.
From the learning rooms ... a ton, as always. Lots of reading, lots of discussion, living math, etc. But, requests have been made from a certain little Princess for "school". She's my angel who LOVES school. So, we'll be getting back to more of a school rhythm. All of our activities are getting going, we're getting busy and we'll be doing more "school" on our home days. Of course, we are learning all the time, though!
From the kitchen ... wanting to go more raw again, trying to figure out where to start. I think once I get my trusty blender in hand, I will start there. A beautiful woman suggested that anyone wishing to go raw should start with 30 days of having a minimum of 1 liter of green smoothie per day. Get your body detoxing for those 30 days and get healthier before going cold turkey and making yourself sick from the toxins. So, that's the plan. 30 days of green smoothies and more and more raw recipes throughout the day before getting too drastic.
I am wearing ... pjs. I know, I know. Shame on me. I've been busy eating and blogging this morning and have yet to make my bed, brush my teeth or get dressed. Shame, shame.
I am going ... to the Farmer's Market and grocery tomorrow to get some more produce and try to come up with some fun, healthy, raw snack foods for Sundays' games (welcome back NFL football, I have missed you).
I am wondering ... how our family can move more and more in the direction of self-sufficiency. My husband works entirely too many hours away from the home in order to provide us with the opportunity to homeschool our children. I've been brainstorming how we can use what we are good at and be creative and make some money doing something wonderful, creative and helpful.
I am hoping ... that I can get myself and my home and my life organized and running a bit more smoothly. I am hoping that by starting with ME, all the rest will fall into place.
I am looking forward to ... football this Sunday!
I am hearing ... Stephen Marley singing "Made in Africa"
Around the house ... I need to determine a good schedule for the chores around here to get this place to be cleaned with a little more regularity and with a few more (little) hands helping.
I am pondering ... peace. In the world, yes, but what I'm talking about is smooth days, no anxiety, no guilt, happy children, a clean home, simplicity and order at the same time ... without killing me. Peace, not perfection.
One of my favorite things ... fall.
A few plans for next week:
- Finish and mail all gifts
- Gather natural dying materials to dye our wool yarn
- Spanish Club
- Start Handwork Wednesdays
- Museum of Science & History
- Daddy's birthday
- Get organized, go through papers, plan chore schedule, start "school"
God really DOES provide ALL that we need!
I'm seriously feeling that urge again lately.
The one for RAW FOOD. For green smoothies. For that feeling of being high as a kite, 100% naturally. High as a kite on God's Bounty ...
I miss it. I miss feeling that tingling in my veins when I drank my Kale Smoothies in the morning. I miss having the energy to get through the day ... and then some!
I miss feeling totally healthy.
I never quite stuck with it long enough for the long term effects, but I really, really want to now. I wan to see if it truly rids me of that general feeling of BLAH. I want to see if it truly rids me of anxiety and irritability and fatigue and weight gain and hair loss.
I've been feeling awful lately.
Thinking it was adrenal fatigue or depression or anxiety or thyroid or gluten sensitivity or all of the above and not knowing what to do about it.
Then, I stumbled upon Raw Food again and started reading again and started thinking, "Who knows WHAT it is, but I bet if I change my diet to RAW and really stick with it this time, I bet it could and would fix it."
So, I'm totally and completely mentally ready. I wanna really do it up this time. Go all out. I'm talking, my goal would be to go 100% raw ... eventually, gradually. I WANT IT. I really do.
What's stopping me, you might ask?
I have NONE of the tools anymore. No blender. No dehydrator. No money to buy them.
I mean, yes, I want a Vitamix for Christmas. But, I do realize that I am almost 35 years old and no one spends that kind of money on my Christmas presents anymore. Not when there are plenty of deserving little people to buy for these days.
But, right about now, I'd give my left arm for a blender that would just BLEND. I want to start somewhere. And, the easiest place for me to start is with my smoothies. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. I remember when I was eating raw before, if I had a raw breakfast, I would crave more raw the rest of the day. When I ate toast or oatmeal or something cooked for breakfast, I'd crave the carbs and snacks all day.
IT MATTERS.
I NEED a blender.
So, maybe I'll pray for a ridiculously cheap blender at the thrift store. Then, start my major savings plan for the Vitamix. So I can make raw nut milks and raw cheeses and raw nut butters.
Oh how I want a Vitamix.
Some women wish for shoes and handbags. I wish for a Vitamix ... and books.
Vitamix and books ... that would make me one happy lady!
*******
HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE
This blog post started out as a talk about my need to go raw along with a little dose of "woe is me" because I have no blender and no money and waaa waaa waaaa.
Now, I'm going to change gears and talk about how truly amazing it is to be loved by GOD! He really does provide. He really does answer when you ask. He really does listen to what we need. Even when you don't stop and fold your hands and say "Dear God, please send me a blender".
As I was typing up this blog post, I wanted to read something I'd read before about another lady who had all sorts of issues (like me) and who now is on top of the world because she went raw five years ago. I went to her Facebook page and started scrolling through to find what it was I wanted to read. I decided to post on her page, asking for suggestions on what to do when you don't have a blender, and do you know what? This complete stranger, one I'd never spoken to in real life OR on the computer, one who doesn't know me from Adam, sent me a message asking for my address so she could mail me a blender?
How cool is that?
A Godsend. A true blessing. Obviously an amazing human being. I will be forever grateful to this woman.
But, my amazement is at the power of God.
I mean, I knew He was there. But, sometimes you get reminded in a big way. Sometimes you realize that there is NO answer other than God to explain a phenomena.
God knew that I was hurting.
God led me to her Facebook page a while back and led me to start reading about the power of raw foods again.
God led me to realizing that if I would just try it again and REALLY do it this time, the beautiful and amazing bounty of food that HE provided us would fix any and all of my ailments.
God knew I needed a blender.
God knew I couldn't afford even a cheapy at the thrift store.
So, God led me to ask a question of a stranger.
God led her to give with a loving heart.
In doing so, I am blessed with the tool I need to get started again down the path of health and vitality.
In doing so, she is blessed with good karma and an amazing feeling of helping others to feel as amazing as she does.
God really is good!
Remember that High as a Kite feeling I was describing?
Well, I'm feeling it.
Right now.
Maybe it's my attempt at a mess of a smoothie this morning (baby food makers are not good substitutes for blenders ... I had to munch rather than drink my mix of spinach and fruit and coconut and maca
Or maybe it's the feeling of LIGHT. Of God's Love. Of the love of Humanity for its fellow brothers and sisters.
Or maybe it's both.
Who knows?
It doesn't matter, though.
Life is good.
God is even better.
God really does provide ALL that we need ... He provided the right foods and He puts people in our paths when we need them most.
Love and light are beautiful things.
Wishing each of you love and light today and always!
The one for RAW FOOD. For green smoothies. For that feeling of being high as a kite, 100% naturally. High as a kite on God's Bounty ...
I miss it. I miss feeling that tingling in my veins when I drank my Kale Smoothies in the morning. I miss having the energy to get through the day ... and then some!
I miss feeling totally healthy.
I never quite stuck with it long enough for the long term effects, but I really, really want to now. I wan to see if it truly rids me of that general feeling of BLAH. I want to see if it truly rids me of anxiety and irritability and fatigue and weight gain and hair loss.
I've been feeling awful lately.
Thinking it was adrenal fatigue or depression or anxiety or thyroid or gluten sensitivity or all of the above and not knowing what to do about it.
Then, I stumbled upon Raw Food again and started reading again and started thinking, "Who knows WHAT it is, but I bet if I change my diet to RAW and really stick with it this time, I bet it could and would fix it."
So, I'm totally and completely mentally ready. I wanna really do it up this time. Go all out. I'm talking, my goal would be to go 100% raw ... eventually, gradually. I WANT IT. I really do.
What's stopping me, you might ask?
I have NONE of the tools anymore. No blender. No dehydrator. No money to buy them.
I mean, yes, I want a Vitamix for Christmas. But, I do realize that I am almost 35 years old and no one spends that kind of money on my Christmas presents anymore. Not when there are plenty of deserving little people to buy for these days.
But, right about now, I'd give my left arm for a blender that would just BLEND. I want to start somewhere. And, the easiest place for me to start is with my smoothies. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. I remember when I was eating raw before, if I had a raw breakfast, I would crave more raw the rest of the day. When I ate toast or oatmeal or something cooked for breakfast, I'd crave the carbs and snacks all day.
IT MATTERS.
I NEED a blender.
So, maybe I'll pray for a ridiculously cheap blender at the thrift store. Then, start my major savings plan for the Vitamix. So I can make raw nut milks and raw cheeses and raw nut butters.
Oh how I want a Vitamix.
Some women wish for shoes and handbags. I wish for a Vitamix ... and books.
Vitamix and books ... that would make me one happy lady!
*******
HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE
This blog post started out as a talk about my need to go raw along with a little dose of "woe is me" because I have no blender and no money and waaa waaa waaaa.
Now, I'm going to change gears and talk about how truly amazing it is to be loved by GOD! He really does provide. He really does answer when you ask. He really does listen to what we need. Even when you don't stop and fold your hands and say "Dear God, please send me a blender".
As I was typing up this blog post, I wanted to read something I'd read before about another lady who had all sorts of issues (like me) and who now is on top of the world because she went raw five years ago. I went to her Facebook page and started scrolling through to find what it was I wanted to read. I decided to post on her page, asking for suggestions on what to do when you don't have a blender, and do you know what? This complete stranger, one I'd never spoken to in real life OR on the computer, one who doesn't know me from Adam, sent me a message asking for my address so she could mail me a blender?
How cool is that?
A Godsend. A true blessing. Obviously an amazing human being. I will be forever grateful to this woman.
But, my amazement is at the power of God.
I mean, I knew He was there. But, sometimes you get reminded in a big way. Sometimes you realize that there is NO answer other than God to explain a phenomena.
God knew that I was hurting.
God led me to her Facebook page a while back and led me to start reading about the power of raw foods again.
God led me to realizing that if I would just try it again and REALLY do it this time, the beautiful and amazing bounty of food that HE provided us would fix any and all of my ailments.
God knew I needed a blender.
God knew I couldn't afford even a cheapy at the thrift store.
So, God led me to ask a question of a stranger.
God led her to give with a loving heart.
In doing so, I am blessed with the tool I need to get started again down the path of health and vitality.
In doing so, she is blessed with good karma and an amazing feeling of helping others to feel as amazing as she does.
God really is good!
Remember that High as a Kite feeling I was describing?
Well, I'm feeling it.
Right now.
Maybe it's my attempt at a mess of a smoothie this morning (baby food makers are not good substitutes for blenders ... I had to munch rather than drink my mix of spinach and fruit and coconut and maca
Or maybe it's the feeling of LIGHT. Of God's Love. Of the love of Humanity for its fellow brothers and sisters.
Or maybe it's both.
Who knows?
It doesn't matter, though.
Life is good.
God is even better.
God really does provide ALL that we need ... He provided the right foods and He puts people in our paths when we need them most.
Love and light are beautiful things.
Wishing each of you love and light today and always!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Raw Tacos
Just thought I'd share my recipe for my favorite Raw Dinner ... Raw Tacos. These are delicious and totally satisfying. Even if you're not a raw foody!
Raw Taco Meat:
1 Cup Pecans
1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1 1/2 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp Chili Powder
3/4 Tsp Coriander
2 Tsp Nama Shoyu (you could also use Tamari or Bragg's Liquid Aminos)
2 shakes of Red Pepper Flakes
3 TBSP Water
1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse several times. Scrape the sides and pulse some more. You want it to be well mixed and chopped, but not blended mush.
Prepare the toppings:
- Dice red and green pepper (Organic is always best, fresh from your garden or farmer's market is even better)
- Chopped natural black olives
- Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
- Homemade Pico de Gallo ~ tomatoes, purple & green onion, lime juice, cilantro, jalapenos, sea salt, onion & garlic powders
- Homemade Guacamole ~ 2 mashed avocados, lime juice, sea salt, minced garlic, cilantro, purple onion, tomato
- Crisp, clean romaine leaves
DELICIOUS! Add a Dos Equis with lime and call it Heaven!
Friday, September 2, 2011
2011/2012 "School Year" shaping up nicely
As I'm sure you've gathered if you read this blog at all, things are picking up steam around here! We're getting busy and it's getting fun.
I thought I'd share how things are shaping up around here.
Some of the things we will be doing are:
- Spanish Club twice a month ... cultural exposure, not so much the language itself.
- Homeschool Adventures Group every Thursday ... TONS of fun stuff there!
- Handwork Group every Wednesday ... Waldorf circle time, free play, snack & handwork (crochet for the Hippie and knitting for the Princess)
- Homeschool Theater Troupe every Tuesday this fall (six weeks)
Some of the fun things we have lined up with our Homeschool Group this year:
- Monthly park days at a different local park each time
- Museum of Science & History
- Big Cat Wildlife Sanctuary (lions, cougars, Siberian tigers, leopards, etc.)
- Grape picking
- Corn Maze, Hay Ride, Pumpkin Patch
- Craft days
- Delivery of said crafts to nursing homes
- Thanksgiving food baskets & delivery
- Celebration of each solstice/equinox
- Apple picking (did you know there were apple orchards down here?)
- Agricultural museum
- Plantation visit
- Maritime museum
- Strawberry picking
- Theater production
- Castillo de San Marcos
- Zoo tour ~ Behind the Scenes
- May Day celebration
- Blueberry picking and Springs
- Beach Day
- Organic Hydroponic Farm
- Island with Wild Horses
- Apple Cider, bonfire day
- Camping trip
We're loving it! I think our general rhythm will look like this:
- Monday ~ Home Rhythm
- Tuesday ~ Theater Troupe or Spanish Club
- Wednesday ~ Home Rhythm Morning, then Library & Handwork
- Thursday ~ FUN DAY
- Friday ~ Home Rhythm & Pancakes for Dinner
- Saturday ~ Home Rhythm & Farmer's Market
- Sunday ~ Family Day
Our general Home Rhythm will look like this:
- Morning list (dress, teeth, eat, make bed, feed animals, etc.)
- Chores
- Focused "School" Time
- Free Play for Girls & To Do List for Momma
- Lunch prep, eat & clean up
- Story
- Quiet Time for Girls & Read, Write & Relax for Momma
- Snack
- Outside Time for ALL THREE of us
- Free Play for Girls & Dinner Prep for Momma
- Dinner
- Teeth, pjs & books for Girls & Dishes for Momma & Daddy
- Bedtime Story & Bed
Our "Focused School Time" will include things like:
- Reading lessons for the Princess (per her request)
- Arithmetic Village (per the request of the Princess)
- Other Living Math books & Activities
- Science Experiments
- Picture Study
- Historical Read Alouds
- Books about Artists
- Books about Mathematicians
- Nature Stories
- Literature Read Alouds
- Outdoor Secrets reading & activities
- Bible and other religious stories
- Crafts
- Painting
- Baking
- Games
- Puzzles
- Dress Up
- Playing dolls, kitchen, trains, fairies, horses
These are just some of my ideas. The point is that the girls will get my undivided attention during that chunk of time. What we do will be up to them. The Princess seems to want more traditional subjects and school. The Hippie wants Unschooling. If it sounds too much like school to her, she's not in. But, she does love to cook, play games, keep score, read, be read to, do crafts, paint, play, look at art, learn about historical events and people and places and artists, etc. So, as long as I keep it fresh and interesting and up to her, I think we should fit a lot in!
How is your year shaping up?
So blessed to be a homeschooler!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Learning never ends ...
So, I gather from the school buses on the road and the SLOW speed limits around 3pm that school must be back in session for lots of folks.
What does that mean around here?
Well, same old, same old, really.
We're taking a different approach these days.
One that makes life about learning and learning about life.
One that doesn't separate the two as if they are two different things.
Because, really, isn't life supposed to be about learning?
So, we aren't doing a "First Day of School" thing this year.
I mean, if the girls want to mark things, officially, somehow, I will most certainly oblige.
Maybe we can fill in those All About Me things we've done the last two years ~ see what has changed about them ... my guess is that the Princess would say the same exact things ~ horses and pink. She would just be a bit taller and weigh a bit more. I wonder what would be different on the Hippie's? Maybe we will do that.
The reason we're not doing a First Day of School thing this year is that I wouldn't know when to do it. I mean, we've been "doing school" all along. I only started taking note of what all the girls were doing a few weeks ago, but the list is HUGE.
Just this week ...
You get the idea.
So, when do we start school?
When do we STOP?
How are you learning these days?
What does that mean around here?
Well, same old, same old, really.
We're taking a different approach these days.
One that makes life about learning and learning about life.
One that doesn't separate the two as if they are two different things.
Because, really, isn't life supposed to be about learning?
So, we aren't doing a "First Day of School" thing this year.
I mean, if the girls want to mark things, officially, somehow, I will most certainly oblige.
Maybe we can fill in those All About Me things we've done the last two years ~ see what has changed about them ... my guess is that the Princess would say the same exact things ~ horses and pink. She would just be a bit taller and weigh a bit more. I wonder what would be different on the Hippie's? Maybe we will do that.
The reason we're not doing a First Day of School thing this year is that I wouldn't know when to do it. I mean, we've been "doing school" all along. I only started taking note of what all the girls were doing a few weeks ago, but the list is HUGE.
Just this week ...
- The Hippie put on another cooking show for me (with play dough this time)
- The Girls have played with our kittens CONSTANTLY.
- They've made them toys and clothes and "crates" (baskets) and collars.
- We've had some mediation and talk about feelings and how to treat each other.
- We've talked about feeling overwhelmed.
- We've read books galore.
- We've been to the farmer's market and the playground.
- We've been to the library.
- We've practiced reading (the Princess) and have started reading words all over the place!
- The girls have been surfing and improved.
- The girls have been practicing cart wheels and round offs & walk overs (no gymnastics class. just plain fun).
- The girls have been cooking with dirt and leaves.
- The girls have practiced running a restaurant (serving Daddy and I said dirt).
- The Princess (of course) draws horses daily.
- The Hippie's drawn a perfect replica of the Titanic & many Mermaids.
- The Hippie has continued reading her Emily Windsnap books (she is on the 4th one).
- The Hippie has read 3 Ivy & Bean books (each in about an hour or so).
- We've played outside.
- We've walked to pay the water bill.
- They've collected pine cones of all sizes and made a family out of them.
- We've added fractions ... 1 1/3 cups is the same as 4 scoops with the 1/3 cup.
- We've studied Picasso and Mary Cassatt.
- We've studied Frida Kahlo ... did you know she was married to Diego Rivera?
- We've listened to classical music ~ and the Hippie recognized a Mozart and the Nutcracker.
- The Princess has started writing her Thank You cards all by herself ... as neat as she can.
- They've tried to play our flute along with a part of a Trevor Hall song.
- We've made granola and soda bread.
- The Hippie played secretary and wrote down our brainstorming for upcoming birthday gifts.
- The Hippie has worked with clay ... starting on said birthday gifts.
- Both girls made their Uncle Scott a card; the Hippie made him a "bolt can" (he's a mechanic).
- The Hippie did more math ~ bake 15 mins per 1/4" thickness; measure it; how long for 1/2"?
- We've talked about the Titanic a lot and how important it is to learn from history.
- The Hippie has looked through the 20 or 30 Titanic books we have from the library.
- Momma's rekindled her interest in Titanic, sharing what I know.
- Momma's watched a 2 hour documentary on the Titanic.
- The Hippie's also read about Pompeii.
- We've read aloud.
- Momma's reading for pleasure for a change (The Help ... LOVE IT).
- The Hippie and I have spent an entire morning outside reading, side by side.
- Momma's read in the hammock while the girls played some make-believe world.
- They've watched their cooking show, Giada at Home.
- They've decorated their scrap books for this year's HAP.
You get the idea.
So, when do we start school?
When do we STOP?
How are you learning these days?
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