ONE YEAR April 16, 2010

My Dear Devoted Readers~~~~~

It was a year ago, today, that I embarked on this amazing blogging journey.

It is truly hard to believe.

This journey has taken me many, many places, and it is so humbling that you’ve stuck with me.

It is amazing how much I have grown in this past year, just by sharing with all of you.  I have never thought of myself as some amazing writer, and, honestly, I didn’t start this blog because I thought I could wow you all with my amazing writing skillz.  But, I hope that I was able to, successfully:

Share my thoughts.

Share my experiences.

Share my findings.

Share my feelings.

Share my heart.

I hope that I have somewhat succeeded.

It’s amazing how this blog has evolved over the past year, and I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me in the future.

Here’s just a couple of my favorite posts over this past year:

So Proud!!

Thrift Store Shopping

ABC’s

Popsicle!!

Bald Spot!

A Biblical Perspective

Roll With It

101 in 1001

So, since I welcome change (most of the time!!!), I have a wee announcement to make:

MY BLOG IS MOVING

Yes, folks…..I am making the move.  It makes me a little sad to do it, but change is good.  (most of the time!!!)  Do not be alarmed, though, peeps.  It will still be the exact same blog, just in a different spot.  So, as of tomorrow, here’s my new home:

www.islandmomsarah.blogspot.com

I can’t wait to see you all there!!!!

Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

I have learned so much from this blogging experience, over the past year, and I can’t wait to learn more.

~~~~Sarah

Proof. April 13, 2010

Yes folks, it’s true.

Our little 7-month-old is crawling.

Lord help us all.

.

So Beautiful April 12, 2010

Welcome to another Monday, everyone!!  We had such a beautiful weekend.  There was really nothing planned, nothing to do, nothing to attend…..we just had a beautiful time together, as a family.  The weather was beautiful, the laughter and fun was beautiful——it was just so.  beautiful.  Great, great family weekend.  These are the beautiful weekends I live for.

Now, it’s time for another week and another Menu Plan!  Here goes:

Monday:  Homemade Pesto and Chicken Calzones, Green Salad, Fruit (Carry-over from last week.  I ran out of flour!!)

Tuesday:  Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs, White Rice, Veggies

Wednesday:  Slow Cooker Roast, Cheesy Ranch Potato Bake, Creamed Corn

Thursday:  Taco Sloppy Joes, Homemade Oven Fries, Smoothies

Friday:  Homemade Mac and Cheese, Smoked Kielbasa, Green Beans

I know you see our Homemade Mac and Cheese A LOT on my Menu Plans, so, I thought I’d give you guys the recipe.  In my opinion, it is absolutely THE BEST and easiest Mac and Cheese around.  I.  LOVE.  IT.  I grew up with my mom making it, and I’ve carried on the tradition.  DELISH!

Mac and Cheese Recipe:

Cook 2 cups macaroni, per package directions

Mix with:  2 cups cottage cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 egg

3/4 teaspoon salt

dash of pepper

8 ounces of shredded cheese (2 cups)

Pour into a 9×9 pan.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

It’s that easy, folks!!  And, it freezes extremely well!!!

For more menu planning inspiration, don’t forget to check out Organizing Junkie!

Health does not come through a needle April 11, 2010

As you all probably know by now, I am adamantly against vaccinations—of any kind.  The TRUTH has literally set me free.  I saw a great quote somewhere, and I don’t’ know who said it, but I wholeheartedly agree with it.  Especially on the topic of vaccines:

“A lie is still a lie, even if everyone believes it.

The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it.”

I urge you all to continue seeking the truth.

God bless, and I’ll be back tomorrow for MPM!

YAWN. April 9, 2010

Yup.  That’s exactly how I feel.

(I’m not sure who’s baby this is, but what a cutie!)

I’ve been dealing with a bit of insomnia this week, and I tell ya……I can’t stop yawning.

I also can’t seem to get my thoughts together to write a new post.

Yawn.

Here’s to a nice, long nap…….

Natural Living—Chia Seeds April 6, 2010

Lately, on my quest for more natural living, I have been diligently researching seeds.   Seeds, you might ask?

Yes, seeds.

I can remember way back in my childhood, my dad always told us, that, when he eats an apple, he eats the entire apple—the seeds and all.  Have you looked up the health benefits of apple seeds?  Please do.  Since my post today is not on apple seeds, I won’t elaborate much, but, one health benefit that could from eating an apple seed could actually be:  fighting cancer.  No joke.

But, I digress….

When you hear the word Chia, I’m sure you automatically think of those darling little, “Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia” Pets, don’t you?:

Well, as cute as they are, those little pets are not what I’m referring to.  (Those seeds have not been approved as food by the FDA). Take a look at the first picture above and you’ll see what I’m referring to.  Those lovely, delicate,  black (and sometimes white!) Chia seeds.  Little might be known to you about the seeds’ tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties—-until now!!  Chia seeds are one of the most powerful, functional, and nutritious superfoods on the planet!!

Here’s a little background on the Chia seed:

• For centuries, this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico.  It’s a species of flowering plant in the mint family. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.

And here’s why you should starting eating Chia Seeds:

• 30% of Chia seed oil is Omega 3 oil.—The BEST source of Omega 3.   10% of its oil is Omega 6 oil.  This is the perfect balance of essential fatty acids.  Even better than the Flax seed!!
• When added to water and allowed to sit for 30 minutes, Chia forms a gel.  Researchers suggest that this reaction takes place in the stomach, slowing the process by which digestive enzymes break down carbohydrates and convert them into sugar.  This is also an EXCELLENT reason that Diabetics should starting eating Chia seeds.
• They are so rich in antioxidants, that, the seed doesn’t deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid.
• They DO NOT have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body.
• They provide fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin and zinc.
• They also have a high content of protein (up to 23%) and are easily digested, which results in rapid transportation to tissues and fat utilization by cells.
• Chia seeds are also very good for our little ones–because of their fast and efficient assimilation when rapid development of tissue is needed to take place, for example, during growth periods in children.
• Chia seeds are highly hydrophillic, meaning they can absorb large amounts of water. They can hold 10 times their weight in water making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies.
• Chia Seeds are Gluten free, so they are great for individuals with Celiac Disease.

Chia seeds have a nice, nutty flavor and can be eaten by the spoon-fuls if you’d like, or, you can add them to your daily diet.  We like to add them to our smoothies, yogurt, salads, sandwiches and so on!!  We buy them at a local health food store, but, I have recently researched some cheaper outlets, online.

Remember, this is not professional or medical advice, but I URGE you to incorporate the Chia seed into your diet today!!

……..And we’re back!! (and MPM) April 5, 2010

We had a wonderful, blessed, fun vacation with all my family on the Oregon Coast, and now we’re back!!

It’s never the easiest thing vacationing with 3 kiddos, four and under, but we survived made it!!  It surely was an experience,  driving down, our family of five:

Staying in the gorgeous beach house:  Ok, no pictures of the beach house.  What was I thinking?!

Touring the Tillamook Cheese Factory:  Alrighty, then, no pictures of this, either.  It must be on video……maybe.

Going to the  Newport Aquarium:

Visiting some amazing Lighthouses and coast towns:

Playing on the beach with the whole family:

Let's go fly a kite!

Martha and Anna

And just being together with everyone.  It was great!!

The weather wasn’t our first choice, but, even through the wind and rain (and some sun thrown in there, too!!), it was a great time had by all!!

Now……..it’s back to reality.   Time to try to get back into the swing of things, re-acquaint ourselves with our own beds and our own house (the kids, mostly!), and get ready for a new week.  Hope you all had a blessed week and an even more blessed Easter.

Here’s what I have planned for dinner this week:

Monday:  Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, my go-to Buttery Rolls, Fruit

Tuesday:  Whole Wheat Four Cheese Ravioli, Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, Green Salad, Buttery Rolls

Wednesday:  Cottage Cheese Chicken Enchiladas, (I’m going to try THIS homemade Enchilada Sauce to go with it),Tater Tots, Fruit Salad

Thursday:  Homemade BBQ Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Peas

Friday:  Homemade Calzones (Hubby’s request!) using THIS dough recipe and Green Salad

Don’t forget to visit ORGANIZING JUNKIE for more menu inspiration!

And, I’ll be back tomorrow with another installment of Natural Living.

~Sarah

Happy Easter!! April 4, 2010

A Happy Easter to you all!!

I’ll be back tomorrow to share about our vacation and post my menu for the week!

HE is RISEN!!!

And……We’re Off!! March 29, 2010

It’s Spring Break, and we are headed out for some fun in the sun!!!!

……..or, maybe rain.

Anyway.

It will be FUN regardless!!!  🙂

There will be no MPM this week, and I’ll probably be taking a little break from the blog, as well.  I’ll be spending the week with my entire family——what a treat!!!

Hope you all have a blessed, prosperous, lovely week and I’ll see you back here, soon!!!

~~Sarah

Happy 3rd Birthday, Luke!! March 28, 2010

Oh, what would I do without this sweet, little man in my life???

What a true and immense blessing it is to be him Mama.  Truly.

oh.  how.  i.  love.  him.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!!!

Here’s a look down memory lane over the first 3 years of his precious life:

~~May God bless you in the coming year, and always~~