Moms For Healthy Homes

And So It Begins!

2011-10-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

I have been absent for a while now and mostly because I have been trying to figure out what direction to take this blog in next. I have been stuck in a rut with it mainly because I just haven't had any motivation to write anything. Well, now I have decided to venture on a journey that will never end and I need your help! I have at last concluded that I need to head in the direction of a non-dairy, vegetable based possibly gluten-free diet!{AAAAAHHHHHH!} There, I said it! You probably can't tell but, I am totally shaking in my boots right now. I have had said "adventures" in the past and they haven't worked out like I planned:( I really believe that you are what you eat. Our bodies are always regenerating and if we ingest mostly junk, then that is all our bodies have to work with. Therefore that is what we become physically...I know, I know I don't like it either! I want to be able to eat whatever I want when I want it and feel awesome! Too bad I don't have a magic wand.

Photo Credit

So, here is my dilemma. The way I think about health is {I am pretty sure} a lot different than most people. I don't like to eat any kind of oil. This is largely because my Dad is a health guru and has a genetic heart condition that I could inherit one day...scary huh?! Any kind of fat, I am turned off to, again it's largely due to family history and what my Dad has taught me. !~BUT~! I believe in moderation! I still need to fit into society! I also don't think honey is healthy because of the sugar content. I think that Agave Nectar and truvia are great substitutes. And lastly, salt and sodium....what can I say they are enemy!!!! Just kidding but, not really......

Photo Credit

Here is the difficult part. I need to be able to do this and not fail at it. This is what I have to work with, I. LOVE. SWEETS! And so does my husband. My kids are young enough where they have no idea what is going on, good thing,( I have a 21month old and a 9 month old). Which brings me to another point...FOOD is the LAST thing on my mind with two HIGH maintenance toddlers running around! I am exhausted ALL. THE. TIME! But, if I eat better, exercise and get plenty of rest that should help right? It better...
Did I mention we are also in school{Dental} so my funds are limited?
Well, that about sums it up!

Photo Credit

I am opening an official "HELP ME!" on this. I need healthy recipes {preferably crockpot, freezer, or done-in-30-minutes or less}. Tips and tricks would be most helpful{ like where to shop, how to shop, food substitutions, lunch ideas for kids, blogs to read( I will totally follow you if you have a blog!)

I Love this story and picture! Can't stop looking at it! Click here for the story:)

I know this is all of a sudden, but I am asking for your help....from one mom {or dad or person} to another. I hope in return I can add some value to your life. Thanks for reading!!!!!

Have a Wealth of Health Day! Or Night:)

Photo Credit

Yummy Fresh Balsamic Vinegar Pizza and Dessert

2011-08-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

For all you pizza lovers out there who want to try something new, fun and HEALTHIER than your average take out or dine in pizza. It's yummy too!

I combined some recipes so to get my desired product so this recipe is totally customizable!(Spell check says this isn't a word...is it? Maybe I spelled it wrong:)

I didn't take a picture of it, but it looked something like this....

photo credit

But, for my recipe I made a whole wheat crust.

Here we go:

First of all, consider how many pizzas you are going to make. I just wanted to do one and I found out the hard way that the recipe will make more than that. The hubs and I could only eat one piece...it was that thick:) So, just make sure! Or if you are like me and an impatient cook(meaning, I don't wait for the dough to rise and it turned out just fine:), you can always just buy a ready made crust or rely on Pillsbury for your basic pizza crust needs.

Here is the recipe just in case you want to make it yourself:

1 of

Amazing Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

By: Marla

"A healthy whole wheat crust that comes out soft and chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside. Use with your favorite pizza toppings or pizza recipes."

Rate/Review | Read Reviews (587)

Prep Time:
25 Min

Cook Time:
20 Min

Ready In:
2 Hrs 45 Min

Servings (Help)

USMetricCalculate

Original Recipe Yield 10 servings

Ingredients

1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C){I didn't check the temp on my water}
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour{I substituted whole wheat here, didn't use all-purpose}

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour until dough starts to come together. Tip dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining all-purpose flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. {I told you I am impatient and so I didn't wait an hour, it was more like 10 minutes. Still yummy!}
When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Let rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists, and gently pull the edges outward, while rotating the crust.{I just greased my pan, slapped it on there and mushed it to the sides, no extra work...I am not a restaurant. I am good if I get dinner on the table} When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan. {you need to pre bake the crust until its brown around the edges, don't put any toppings on it yet}
Bake for 16 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top.

~The next step is where the creativity comes in! While the pizza dough is cooking, make a balsamic glaze for the sauce{ Combine 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 2 Tbs of brown sugar in a sauce pan until it reduces to about a 1/2-1/4 cup}.
~1While both of those are cooking, chop your veggies and grate the cheese. I used onions, tomatoes and lettuce(don't use iceberg!).
~When the glaze and dough are finnished spread your most of your glaze{not all of it, you may want to save some to drizzle on top or your pizza or for dessert...}, on your crust. After the glaze is spread, sprinkle your onions and cheese on it{I used mozzerella but you can use whatever you would like....goat cheese would be interesting, don't you think?} Stick it back in the oven on broil to melt the cheese.
~When the cheese is melted, take it out of the oven and immediately sprinkle your fresh veggies on top! Cut and enjoy!

I drizzled more balsamic glaze on top of my pizza PLUS, for dessert I cut up a nectarine and ate it with that. It was DIVINE! Another dessert idea would be to have some kind of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping with fresh fruit, and drizzle the glaze on it. YUMO!

Thanks for stopping by and I would LOVE to know how your creations turned out. Gonna need some new ideas:)

Mirror Re-purposed

2011-07-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that I LOVE to decorate? Well, I DO! But, I not only LOVE to decorate...I LOVE to create it! See, I cant't{and won't} afford to buy nice, new furniture, shelves flowers, plants, baskets etc. I mean I COULD wait until we move into a house{in 4 years} OR I could just get creative! And to be honest...I would rather make it than pay full price.

So, it turns out that being a Dental School wife brings out some hidden talents{snicker}. So, I decided to share my creative side with you all:) This is thrown together "Before and After."

Here we go:

Just about every weekend my husband and I hit the garage sales. And a few weekends ago, we found this AWESOME mirror for only !$5!{I KNOW! I know....you can find some GREAT stuff}.
The mirror looked something like the top of this dresser:

Photo Credit

It is a little different...the mirror was about the same size but, it was detached from the dresser and there is an embellishment on the top{between the mirror and the frame, you will see what I mean later}.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but !$5?! I could NOT pass it up! But, I soon came across how I wanted it to turn out {at least color wise} It's illustrated in this picture:

Obviously the wood is different but, I liked this idea:)

Photo Credit

So here comes the best part..THE REVEAL! I am pretty stoked about it, what do you think?

So this is what I did:

I spray painted the frame metallic gold, then painted over it with black{with different directions with the brush for texture and some dry brushing techniques}

Plus, i distressed the paint{not the wood, I scraped off some black after I painted it} by the embellishment.

Overall it was really fun!

Thanks for looking!

Organize That Dang Purse!

2011-07-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Is this how you react to the inside of your purse?

Here are some suggestions on a few purse organizers. Some are homemade and others you can just buy:)

Homemade

Just click here to see the tutorial

Click the here to see tutorial

Just Buy It!

Click it! They'll Accept it!

I'm thinking I want this one:) Click it!

Hope this helps!

Have a Healthy Day!

PS- I am not an affiliate with these products....

Homemade/Natural Baby Wipes!{Money Saver}

2011-05-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

"How Do YOU Like Your Bum Wiped?"

Hello Everyone! {Yes, these pictures are of my adorable kids!}

So, how many of you buy wipes in bulk or on sale just to save a $1 or two? Ummmmm....ME! Then, I came across a recipe for homemade baby wipes! YES! Save money! Plus, they don't have the chemicals in them that can cause irritation and what not. So, if your child suffers from diaper rashes or the like, this may help!!!!

I got this recipe from the book "The Melaleuca Wellness Guide."{LOVE IT!} Look for it here.

"I like my bum wiped naturally"

All you need is:

~Water

~Paper towels{it's better if you use Viva or Bounty because they are stronger, or some people use reusable ones out of material like flannel, I personally am going to stick with disposable but, it's up to you}

~Some kind of container{I have seen people reuse old baby wipe containers to ice cream buckets, whatever you have lying around will do. Use what you already have!}

~Children's Shampoo or Bodywash{be careful what kind! Some of the ingredients are very harmful! Look for "Quaternium 15" or “Q-15” which is formaldehyde or for other harmful ingredients that are found in children's bath products refer to this article) I will use Koala Pals Hair Wash. This product is from my favorite chemical-free/kid safe store.

~Baby Oil{again, be careful of the ingredients!}

~Tea Tree Oil{optional}, this helps if your wipes mold in your container.

How to:

There are a couple ways to prepare the paper towels to become wipes. Of course this would probably depend on your container:)

#1: You can cut the paper towels in half once, so then you double your quantity of wipes

#2: Cut the paper towels in half then in half again the other way so they lay flat.
{side note: don't remove the cardboard yet, trust me it will come out later}

To prepare the solution:

Once you cut the paper towels how you want them stick half of them in a container with a lid.
Add 2 cups of water, 1-2 tablespoons of children's shampoo or body wash and 2 tablespoons of baby oil. If you encounter mold add Tea Tree Oil. Now, cover and let them soak for 10 minutes{still don't remove the cardboard}. Once they are soaked through, now pull the cardboard from the center and pull the wipes from the center and rip off. Easy Peasy!!!!

{Side Note: If you cut your paper towels in half the two different ways, then the cardboard will come off before you soak them}


"When my bottom is happy, I am happy!"

"YAY for happy bottoms!"

Have
A
Healthy Day!

Beautiful Wall Art Made From Toilet Paper Rolls, Recycled Books and Poster Board!

2011-05-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Sunburst Mirrors! Up until now I thought I just couldn't afford them....but now that I know I can make them out of TOILET PAPER ROLLS or CEREAL BOXES, I am SO making one!!!! Aren't these people so creative?!!! Click on the the pictures and they will take you to the blog I stole it from and their tutorial:)

Toilet Paper Rolls RULE!

This Starburst Mirror was made from POSTER BOARD! NO KIDDING!

Book Pages! Books at Goodwill cost 99 cents! BOO YA!

Recycled Book Pages Again...BEAUTIFUL!! I can't wait to make one! You can even paint them! How cool is that?

Can you tell I am excited about these? Did I put enough capitals and exclamation points?

May Toy Recalls

2011-05-16T11:18:00.001-07:00

April Toy Recalls

2011-05-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Not too many! Hope This is Helpful!

Have A Healthy Day:)

May Household Recalls

2011-05-16T11:14:00.001-07:00

April Household Recalls

2011-05-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

WOW! Kind of a lot here:(

Have a Healthy Day!

May Child Recalls

2011-05-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

April Child Products Recalls

2011-05-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

{Source}

Whoo....a little too much for me....

Have a Healthy Day!

For The Sake Of A Laugh...

2011-05-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is my adorable daughter:) When she was about 9 months, now she is 16 months!

Ok, you have to check out this blog post! It is pretty funny:) It's pregnant belly art and.....I really don't know what to say, you just have to check it out...

(Warning: there are a couple ladies in bikinis)

http://swankybaby.net/2011/05/pregnancy-belly-art.html?showComment=1305423755267#c7016730992992738170

Is Your Home Healthy?

2011-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Forgive me as I personify where I live:) I know I have been driving home{pardon the pun}the existence of chemicals in our homes and our lives. Well, I have become a believer! TRUST ME, I wasn't before! I didn't think it mattered...at least not to the extent I had heard on the news and what not. The news always blows things out of proportion right?
Here is my conclusion thus far, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!! I didn't expect it too! Especially if you convert your home{I am doing it slowly}to being more chemical free.

I am also a HUGE fan of the medical field and scientific research and more and more studies are showing the harmful effects of chemicals on our children, spouses, pets, granparents, parents etc. And not just small things we are talking Alzheimers, Asthma, Leukemia, Brain Cancer{I know...everything causes cancer}, mental retardation and many more.

Now, I know you are asking yourself, "All that from chemicals? I want to see proof!" Don't blame ya! I thought overly protective parents and environmentalists{have you ever noticed the word"mental" in that word?Just sayin'}went around barking about it! Well, now I have joined the club:){Guess you could say I am "mental" too:} I don't think I could ever go back to the cleaners I used to use!

Since you and I are like minded, let me direct you to some references:{disclaimer: some of the links on these pages don't work...sorry, but what does is GREAT info!} Here, Here, Here, oh and Here, hmmm...Here, Then Here. Wait one more! HERE!

These resources have really opened my eye about living chemical free...or at least trying! Hope this was insightful!

Have A Healthy Day!

Trying To Get Paint Out Of A Carpet? Look No Further!

2011-05-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? I actually found a natural and chemical-free product that gets paint out of carpet and marker(permanent and RED!) out of white shirts! True Story! The product is called Sol-U-Mel. It's from my favorite Eco-Friendly Store Want proof and not just from me? Here it is: My Sister-in-Law(love her!) spilled some paint in one of her rooms in her house and tried EVERYTHING to get it up and nothing worked!

She said,"The paint was brown...and white...or who knows maybe it was red, it has been there for years I don't know!!! The white paint was my doing about 3 weeks ago and IT'S ALL GONE!"--via Facebook

Convinced yet? Obviously the best way to know if this works is to try it yourself! Go to this website to learn more! If you are interested in buying, PLEASE let me know!

Have a Healthy Day!

Calcium Doesn't Just Grow On Bones

2011-05-13T20:19:00.000-07:00


Does This Look Familiar?

I thought I knew what "hard water" was when I lived in Utah and Idaho...apparently not! I now live in Indianapolis and as you can see, you pretty much need a chisel to clean this bad boy. HOWEVER! I found a chemical-free cleaner called Tub-N-Tile that totally took it off! YAHOOOO! It's from my favorite Eco-Friendly Store! Click here to see more! If you are interested in buying, please let me know so I can hook you up!

Here is what I did:

This is the product I sprayed on


I used a sponge to do a little scrubbing but, not much!

And Boom-Ba-Da-BING! All Clean!

My Own "Cascade" Commercial

2011-05-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

Have you seen that Cascade commercial where a lady walks into her kitchen, opens her dishwasher and realizes she forgot to turn the dishwasher on the night before? And that Cascade is supposed to rectify the situation? Well, what if I forgot TWO nights or THREE nights? Would Cascade be able to tackle THAT? I don't really know, but what I DO know is I found a product that WILL! It's called Diamond Bright, it's chemical free and it makes my dishes shine! The product is from my favorite Eco-Friendly store. If you want to see more click here. If you are interested in buying, please let me know!

Here is the result:

Yummy...ya?

Can you tell I didn't rinse it off? I am lazy....

This is How Much I used(about 3/4 full)


This is my "Cascade"

~ THE REVEAL~

TA DA! SHINY!

Make An Attractive Storage Container Out Of...... A Diaper Box?

2011-05-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

The title says it all! I was so delighted when I found this tutorial! I don't know about you but, organizing is NOT my forte! I need professional help! I even thought about paying someone to teach me how to organize because I am so bad. But one thing I learned from my Mom, Mother-in-law and others, is containers are your friend! Ok, fair enough, except the PRICE TAG! SheEsH! Even when they are "on sale" they are too expensive for me to buy. Especially the cute ones{bummer}. So I had concluded{before I saw this container tutorial}, that if containers are the answer to my organizing problems, then I am in trouble and so are my money resources. HOWEVER! Thanks to the creative minds of today, I can feel creative AND save money{LOVE IT!}

Photo Credit

I LOVE the one ones on the right{plus, they are easier to make} You would never know these were made form plain cardboard boxes!!! They look great! Ya? And better yet, create your own twist on them! Customize them to match your decor! Make them as simple or as complex as you want! Don't you just hate it when the ugliest container is on sale and the "perfect" one is the most expensive? Ya, been there...

Whose to say the creator of the so called container should make the decision on what you put in your house, huh? Well, this is this is how I feel about it: I am going to Make My Own!!HA!

I found the tutorial from the blog Positively Slendid. Check out this website! I may have hope in the organization world after all!

Have a Healthy Day!

Second Salad

2011-05-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

I am on number two! The salad I made this time I added more veggies. The more veggies the better! I also took a pro biotic from my favorite store and WOW did it work! I will spare you the details but the vitamins I am taking are awesome!

Back to my delicious salad....

This time, instead of just tossing the vegetables in the bowl right after I cut them, I seasoned them and actually "grilled" them in my pan with olive oil....yummy! The flavors of the vegetables are sweetened if you grill, bake or fry them. I learned that from the Food Network(I basically lived on the couch for two years because I was really sick and pregnant with my babies so I watched A LOT of TV aka Food Network and TLC:)
So, here is a couple pictures and the recipe...

Lettuce(of course!)
Asparagus( I had never used this vegetable before and I really liked it!)
Tomatoes
Blueberries
Chicken(Left over from last night, seasoned with Mrs. Dash Table Blend)
Salad Dressing(The Super Fruit one I used last night too, you know me and the sweet stuff!)

Hope you enjoy!

Have A Healthy Day

First Salad of The Week!

2011-05-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

This week is salad week. I am trying different green salads everyday. Today is the first one, I know...I started in the middle of the week. But, usually good food habits don't continue if you start on Monday:) I told you my infatuation with sweet things right? Well, I just couldn't NOT do a sweet salad...I promise I didn't add any sugar:) In fact I only like a small hint of dressing on my salads. I totally took a picture of the salad too! Ain't it pretty? Food Network chefs always say you eat with your eyes first. Doesn't this just make you want to dig right in?

Well, before you fork the computer here is the recipe:D

The salad I tried today was strawberry inspired. I LOVE strawberries! Here is the low down:

Lettuce(preferably not iceberg)
Strawberries
Walnuts
Green Onions
Mozzarella Cheese
Chicken(I cooked it with Mrs. Dash Table blend, I am not a fan of salt)
Passion Fruit Vinegrette( You can really use any dressing you want, I REALLY liked this one on it. However, we only used a few squirts which probably amounted to a couple teaspoons, we didn't saturate our salad!)

Hope you enjoy! And let me know if you have any other ideas on what to add to the salad:) I am sure there are be many GREAT Combinations!

Have a Healthy Day!

Salad Week

2011-05-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

How many of you like chocolate? Ice Cream? Soda? Donuts?Cookies? Wait....pie! Oh I LOVE pie! What about any of you? Come on...don't be shy, I know there are more of you out there, you just won't admit it!! As much as I love being healthy and feeling optimal, that is how much I also love my sweets....which is my downfall. I have TRIED to go sugar-free, vegan or at least limit my intake of animal products and you want to know what happened? I quit! I threw a big fit, ran right over to the grocery store and hoarded anything and everything that I could get my hands on that wasn't considered....well," legal." So here is the deal, if I eat mostly healthy, then I can indulge right? OF COURSE RIGHT! So this week I am declaring Salad Week.I will be eating nothing but salads until friday.....{shivers in shoes}...I really don't know if I can do it! Because lately, my eating habits have nosedived. Have you ever had ice cream for breakfast? It sure is yummy, but results in not-so-good energy(which is vital when you have two VERY BUSY babies). Don't get me wrong, I take my vitamins and they are the ONLY thing that seems to be sustaining me. However, I can only do that for so long. So, for salad week I will be exploring all kinds of green salads with PLENTY of vegetables, salad dressings, fruit, meat etc. I will be posting the recipes, pictures and giving reviews on how I feel and if any sugar craving pop up. I am guessing, I will feel so much better!

Then at the end of the week maybe I can hork a pie:) And it won't put me in the dog house!

Have a Healthy Day! Thanks for stopping by:)

WDYD: What Do YOU Do?

2011-05-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

So, I am just curious...

I know everyone has some sort of ailment whether it be permanent or temporary. Or if you are like me, you have both! I struggle with depression which has resulted in taking medication and counseling. It runs in my family...

But, even though we all struggle with our varies physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual challenges, there are ways to improve our situation! I want to know how you all have improved your situation(s). Either with mediations, miracle creams, vitamins, or even eating better! I know MANY people who have turned their life around by just eating better. One of my favorite fixes is humor...I love to laugh!

Or if you are looking to improve your situation. I would love comments and questions! (This will also give me some GREAT ideas on more blog ideas:)

Thanks so much everyone!

Have a Healthy Day!

This Mom Works From Home!

2011-04-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

I know I have been absent! I have been working from home to try and bring my business to the next level! Which I did{deep curtsy}.

I promise a product review this next week! I want to show you all that going green can mean saving money and cleaning just as effectively as chemically saturated cleaners...who knew right? I honestly thought "going green" was an annoying slogan that only weirdos participated in....now I am one of them!!! I can't help it! It is just better, safer and healthier. And did I mention cheaper?

Alright I am done for the night but, I promise I will keep up this week! I just wanted to post so y'all{my family is living in Texas, so I give a shout out once in a while} don't think I forgot about ya!

Have a healthy day tomorrow!

Good Night......zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Banning The Brown Bag

2011-04-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit

What if your child came home from school and told you that he or she is no longer allowed to bring a lunch from home?! Not only that,but you had to pay for a school lunch everyday or your child will go hungry! Sounds ridiculous right? I mean, who has the right to tell us what to feed our children!! Sheesh! Well, guess what? A elementary school Prinicpal in Chicago, Illinois did just that! Can you believe it? True story! I couldn't believe it either so I tracked down the story and THERE IT WAS! In the Chicago Tribune...plain as the nose on my dog's face.

Here is the scoop:"At [this] public school, Little Village Academy on Chicago's West Side, students are not allowed to pack lunches from home. Unless they have a medical excuse, they must eat the food served in the cafeteria. Principal Elsa Carmona said her intention is to protect students from their own unhealthful food choices.
'Nutrition wise, it is better for the children to eat at the school,' Carmona said. 'It's about the nutrition and the excellent quality food that they are able to serve (in the lunchroom). It's milk versus a Coke. But with allergies and any medical issue, of course, we would make an exception.' Carmona said she created the policy six years ago after watching students bring "bottles of soda and flaming hot chips" on field trips for their lunch(Who eats healthy on a field trip anyway?Come on lady, it's a basic kiddom rule!). Although she would not name any other schools that employ such practices, she said it was fairly common. A Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman said she could not say how many schools prohibit packed lunches and that decision is left to the judgment of the principals."

Do you know what this means? More money in the pocket of the School District! And if your child doesn't qualify for a free lunch, you will be forking over twice, if not more money for your child's "healthier lunch" each day OR they go hungry....end of discussion. I personally would like to see what kind of "healthier choices" they have at this school. Because I don't consider a few tomatoes and carrots sprinkled on a wad of ice burg lettuce with a mound of ranch dressing very healthy. I'd rather give my child a PB&J sandwich for crying out loud!

"At Little Village, most students must take the meals served in the cafeteria or go hungry or both. During a recent visit to the school, dozens of students took the lunch but threw most of it in the garbage uneaten. Though CPS has improved the nutritional quality of its meals this year, it also has seen a drop-off in meal participation among students, many of whom say the food tastes bad."

Do you know what that means? Kids don't eat during school, or sneak in some candy or the like, wait all day to get home and snarf everything in site! And if they weren't making unhealthy choices to begin with, do you really think they will eat a head of broccoli just because some principal banned lunch-ables? I think not! School is a GREAT place to learn new things but, it has to start with the parents FIRST!

Whose The Chicken Now?

2011-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

My Sister-in-law(self-reliance guru, click here to see her FABulous blog) turned me on to this site called organic authority. And as I was researching around, I found an article about McDonald's chicken nuggets. I know I know we all love them and we all hate them at the same time. We all know they are deeply fried, highly unhealthy and fake. But oh so CONVENIENT! And as a Mom of two, I! LOVE!! CONVENIENT!!!
However, when I read this article, YIKES! I can't believe I ate that! Want to know what I found? Here is the list of the ingredients(taken from McDonald's website) from the famous chicken mcnuggets....bummer:(

White boneless chicken, water, food starch-modified, salt, seasoning [yeast extract, salt, wheat starch, natural flavoring (botanical source), safflower oil, dextrose, citric acid], sodium phosphate, natural flavor (botanical source). Battered and breaded with: water, enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, bleached wheat flour, food starch-modified, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium lactate), spices, wheat starch, dextrose, corn starch. Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil(HO LOOK OUT! This is trans fat!)with TBHQ(From what I read on organic authority "[TBHQ] is a chemical preservative and a form of butane (AKA lighter fluid). One gram of TBHQ can cause 'nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation, and collapse,' according to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives. Five grams of TBHQ can kill you." Ok, that's it I am starting a petition to rid the world of these funny lookin' chickens.) and citric acid added to preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent( From what I read from organic authority this is made of silicone that is also used in Silly Putty and cosmetics. SERIOUSLY? I can't even IMAGINE what that would do to my
insides!)

Convinced yet? Well, I am for sure....
So, what do we do instead? How do you tell your kids they are never allowed to eat a Happy Meal again?(at least without the chicken nuggets). I can only imagine what kind of water work display would take place. And I can't stand the idea that I would be the cause of that for you. So, here I come to rescue the day! A RECIPE! I honestly have never tried this but it sure looks YUMMY! Have you ever heard of The Sneaky Chef? This lady has developed recipes to "hide" healthy stuff that kids don't want to eat. Now, I do have to warn you that you have to look at the ingredients in the recipes because although some great veggies are added to the recipe, there still contains too much sugar, fat and salt in some of them. Just because fries start out as vegitables doesn't make them healthy! So, I have an alternative recipe for chicken nuggets! YAY! If you make extra, just freeze 'em! Great for school lunches! You can also check out the nutritional value in these recipes too!

Here it is! Drum Roll Please.......

Honey BBQ Chicken Nuggets
Nutrition Highlights: Protein Boost, Antioxidants

Makes: 4 servings

There's something about chicken nuggets that make them one of the most popular kid foods in America! Missy uses it to her sneaky advantage. She substitutes "oven-frying" for deep-frying, and upgrades the breading so it becomes a nutritious food instead of just a layer of simple carbs to hold the frying fat. The dipping sauce can also add delicious covert nutrition--especially when you add spinach and blueberries to it.

- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 2 large egg whites (about 6 tablespoons liquid egg whites)
- 1/2 cup Purple or Orange Puree
(see Make-Ahead Recipe #1, p. 257 or #2, p. 258), divided
- 1/2 cup store-bought BBQ sauce, divided
- 2 tablespoons honey, divided
- 1/2 cup ground flax or wheat germ
- 1 cup crushed whole-grain cereal flakes (from about 2 cups of cereal)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small nuggets
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

> Place flour in a shallow dish or on a plate. In another shallow bowl, beat egg whites with 1/4 cup of the Purple or Orange Puree, 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce, and 1 tablespoon of the honey and place next to the flour. In a third shallow dish or on a paper plate, combine the ground flax and crushed cereal. Place remaining puree, BBQ sauce, and honey in a clean bowl and set aside to use as dipping sauce.

> Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip in the egg mixture, followed by the cereal mixture. Press the breading evenly onto both sides of the chicken. Put on wax or parchment paper and store in the refrigerator for cooking tomorrow or proceed to cook immediately.

Pan-fry method: (Higher fat and longer time standing at stove, but crispier)

> Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add several nuggets of chicken at a time, pan-frying on one side until the crumbs look golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Watch for burning, and turn down heat if necessary. With tongs, turn the pieces over and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low until cooked through, about another 10 minutes. Blot cooked nuggets on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Oven-bake method: (not as brown and crisp, but lower fat and less time standing at stove)

> Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place breaded nuggets on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Turn chicken nuggets over once with tongs, then return to oven for another 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through.

Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste. Serve with honey BBQ dipping sauce

Great stuff ya? Hope you enjoy! Have a Healthy Day!

Stress Relief Games

2011-04-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

So, in lieu of last week which was the WORST week of Dental School for us so far! It was stress galore! If you want a reminder or a peak of how it all went down go here and here.(Disclaimer: I have never seen this movie and never will, so I am not suggesting you go rent it by ANY means. I just thought the clips were funny).

Since then I have deflated(thanks to Dr. Phil), and thought I would give some info on stress relief and management Now there are the common ones like meditation, yoga, breath deeper and slower, eat chocolate(what? It works for me!), exercise, get a massage(MY FAVORITE!) and many other great ideas! But today, I decided to be a little more unconventional. Have you ever heard of online stress relief games? I am NOT a video game person, ya I have played some Mario in my day but, that is about as far as it goes. No Resident Evil for me or ANYONE in MY house! Neither do I believe in wasting time on computers(blogging is not a waste of time, whoever said that, you in the 4th row!) Nor do I endorse online gaming! It can be addicting, but so can chocolate...you get my drift.

Movin' on...

Here are a few you can try, better yet play them with your kids! They are simple and fun.

My All Time Favorite! Line Rider: This one is so much fun! You use your mouse to create a sledding course for a sledder. It is set up so simple but, my family has spent hours on this game. Making the guy do loop-di-loops and crashing. You can also see demonstrations on what some professionals have done...pretty crazy!

My Other Favorite one so far: Starlight. This one is a virtual "Night Under the Stars." You just move the cursor until a shape appears in the sky! Cool huh?! It's working on perceptual ability:) I liked this because it was simple and cute. Nice and relaxing, you don't have to think! Your 3 year old, heck my 1 year old could do it!
(I apologize for all the ads, it must be how they make this site free)

Second Favortie: Waterfalls. This one is controlling a virtual stream of water. Water is always nice to relax to. Why do you think everyone refers to beaches when they think of their dream vacation? This one you are just trying to keep a circle filled with water by using your cursor to control the stream. Again, it's not rocket science but, pretty relaxing.

Third favorite :Block Drop: This one I don't think is a stress reliever. Although the colors in the backgrounds are restful. It is a little more of a challenge than just moving a mouse. But, pretty fun!

Lastly: There are other ones you can check out, plus I am sure if you google "stress relief games" you may find better ones! Like there is an ant squishing game, which sounds better than it is, and others.

That is all for now! I wish you a stress free night:0

Note: Reading blogs is another GREAT stress reliever.

What Does Plowing and Self Reliance Have To Do With Each Other?

2011-04-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to tell you to check out my Sister-in-Law's blog! It's an inspiration to us all on becoming more self reliant! We can all learn a thing or two from her and her great ideas!plowinhope.blogspot.com

Top 5 Things To Help Eliminate The Silent Killers In Our Homes

2011-04-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

Can you guess what I am about to blog about today?? If you guessed Toxic Chemicals....you are right!!! And not just in our cosmetics or cleaners. If you haven't guessed already I am pretty obsessed with learning about and ridding my home of toxic chemicals. Can't imagine why? Let me tell you a story, when I was ~~younger~~ growing up I could care LESS about germs, toxins, diseases, anything related but what kid does? I was the kid who swallowed a battery(gave my mother a heart attack!) and didn't change her clothes or take a shower during a week long Girl's Camp! I thought my mother was a nut for making us wash our hands after we left the public restrooms( I already washed my hands!) Or she would wipe down the grocery store cart handles when we went shopping. How embarrassing! However, now that I have Giggles and Big Eyes to worry about, I think I am worse than her in some ways!

Now, I know it seems everything these days causes some kind of disease or cancer or even a sneeze but if we listen and try to follow EVERYTHING the "specialists" suggest we would end up going crazy. Let's be honest, what harm does a little exposure make? Right? WRONG!
We all know that it's the silent, steady and consistent exposure that can be a real killer. Just because someone smokes a cigarette once does that give them lung cancer? Or just because I eat a piece of pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert just once a week, does that make me obese? Of course not! But, creating these bad habits can lead that way if we consistently choose them. OR the reverse is true, and that is what I have been trying to say since I started this post...I am sure long winded...

All right, here they are:

Top 5 Things To Help Eliminate The Silent Killers In Our Homes
(Not necessarily in this order)

1. Buy or Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors(remember, they plug in close to the floor NOT the ceiling, and don't run your car with the garage door closed)

2.Use Kid-Safe Natural Cleaners: Almost all possible poisonings (93%) happen at home, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and 51% of them involve children under the age of 6. Click Here and Here for further info, it's shocking!( I can show you where to get the BEST kid-safe cleaners, laundry soap, other household items and cosmetics! Click Here and contact me...you will be sooooo glad you did! I promise! I use them!)

3. Store All Vitamins, Medications and Cosmetics Out of Reach of Children. (Click Here and Here for more info...YIKES! Cosmetics? I honestly didn't think too much about that. I let my daughter play in my makeup bag to keep her busy while I put my face on...whoops!)

4. Get Your Water Tested.(Click Here, Here and Here for more Info...Who da Thought? I LOVE water and I probably drink way more than recommended but isn't that a good thing? Apparently not if you don't drink good water)

5. Improve Air Quality In Your Home( Click Here, Here and especially Here ....seriously? Ok, I REALLY don"t have the money to go and buy some fancy smanshy air purifier. Besides, I believe in the mucky baby theory! However, these websites sure make me wonder though...)

There you have it! Please add to this list in the comments section if you have any you can think of! Thanks! Have a Healthy Day:)

April Toy Recalls

2011-04-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

Infantino Recalls Toy Activity Trucks Due to Choking Hazard

April Child Product Recalls

2011-04-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

April Recalls(Household Items)

2011-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Not too many so far...

The Results of "Test Week is Stress Week!"

2011-04-07T12:54:00.001-07:00

"Never Ever, Ever, Ever,Ever, Ever Give Up! Never, Ever,Ever..Winston Churchill Said That, I Think."

2011-04-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit

The title is from one of my favorite movies: Matian Child.

Test Week is Stress Week!

2011-04-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

Don't allow any chainsaws near me on test week! If I ever post something like "*SIGH*....It's test week.." You will know EXACTLY how I feel.

PS-DON'T WATCH ANY OF THE OTHER CLIPS...Just sayin'...

Starting a Movement to Become Better, More Educated Label Readers!

2011-04-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ok so remember last post and how I talked about the harmful ingredients that were listed from the website Natures Knockout? Well, I found a store that carries makeup that doesn't have ANY of the harmful ingredients in them! YAY! Just go here and I will get you the info! I also LOVE this store because it has LIQUID foundation that doesn't have any harmful stuff in it( I have dry skin so mineral make-up doesn't work for me, believe me I have tried!...womp womp). This line was created by Nicole Miller a fashion designer! People like Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria and Halle Berry wear her stuff.

Just Sayin'...

Movin' on, let's talk about the price; these cosmetics are very affordable but, in no way cheap. Or are they? Consider for a moment the health problems in the World. Heart disease and diabetes are a couple of the number one killers among Americans(I really don't think I need to go into that right now or this may be the longest post you have ever read!) and many other countries. Why? because of what we put in and on our bodies! What we put on the surface of our skin gets absorbed by our bodies and goes through our blood stream and our organs, true story!(Do some research if you don't believe me! I just think the facts are overwhelming!)
But, I digress!! I think paying a little extra for a few basics WILL in the long run pay off. With this I mean, perhaps in the long run, fewer major medical bills! And I think anyone would be excited about that! I AM!

Now, I know that not EVERYTHING we do, eat and put in and on our bodies will be absolutely perfect. In fact, I know we live in an imperfect world so how can we expect ourselves to be? Especially if we are products of our environments?( I think we are heavily influenced by them but, it doesn't have to determine our destiny)
I advocate having moderation in all things! And let's start a movement to become more educated, better LABEL READERS!

Why Use Organic Cosmetics?

2011-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my cousin(who is one of my heros bytheway) turned me onto this site called nature's knockout, it is two celebrity makeup artists who teach women about the harmful chemicals found in makeup, skincare and all the other lovely cosmetic products we use(sarcastic tone). PLUS, they have great tutorials for makeup,hair and fashion...LOVE IT!

(A MILLION LOVES, ((HUG)) AND THANKS TO THE ORIGINAL NATURE'S KNOCKOUT HERSELF, MY COUSIN MEGAN!)

So here is the deal, I am starting to become more "green" and I don't mean becoming sick or dying my hair. I am talking about becoming more conscious of my environments; And shielding myself from harmful effects that everyday toxins and chemicals have on and in my body. And since we are on the topic of "green" I can give a small shout out to our friend the Planet! Go Recycle!

Alright ladies and fellas(I added them just in case my husband is reading this...love you!), here is a pop quiz:

Does the make up and lotions we put on our faces really make THAT big of a difference in our overall health? I mean, seriously you just put it on and then wipe it off right? Isn't beauty only skin deep?

What about deodorants? Doesn't it come off on your clothes? I always have to reapply when I change shirts (especially if I wear black). I know this because I can see the spot where the deodorant met the material! Maybe it's because I buy the cheap stuff:)

Now before you start to sweat and get test anxiety, you don't have to fill this out and get it to me by 4pm on Friday. This is more of a mental type quiz....you just have to think of the answer...

I'll wait.........

Ready?

Ok, now when I give you the answers, pat yourself on the back, head or rear end if you get it right:D ( I almost wish I had a hidden camera on each of your computers to see if you actually do one of those...ha ha!)

(clears throat)...Moving on....

The makeups, skin care and other everyday products DO make a big difference in our overall health! I digress... It seems as though everything causes cancer these days but, hear me out. Harmful chemicals and toxins are absorbed into the body and mess with our systems through our makeup, skincare, shampoos, body washes etc. Did you know that the harmful ingredients actually mess with our hormones???!! Now there is one thing I know being a woman, I DO NOT and repeat, DO NOT want anything else messing with my hormones! And if that means just switching my shampoo or a bar of soap, SIGN ME UP!

Consider this, here are a couple of videos from the website nature's knockout that talks about harmful ingredients found in some of our everyday products. AND why they largely affect our everyday health.

Enjoy:)

I will be doing a product review from my FAVORITE ECO-FRIENDLY STORE about how GREAT and AFFORDABLE their mineral makeup line is. Here is to happy hormones!!!!

Household Items Recalled for the Month of March

2011-03-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

I will be updating recall information about every week from three categories Child/Infant Products, Household Items and Toys. These items are from the official US Consumer Product Safety Commission....I PROMISE!

Toy Recalls for the Month of March.

2011-03-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

These items are from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Infant/Child Product Recalls for the Month of March

2011-03-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

These items are from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Are Eco-Friendly/Kid Safe Products Affordable?

2011-03-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I spent quite a bit of time on this to give you as much of an accurate comparison as possible:) There is actually a more "official" comparison from my favorite ECO-Friendly Store, just go here and I will give you more info! As you can see the ECO-Friendly Store is, for the most part, CHEAPER!!! Who knew?! Whenever I think of safer chemicals I think of expensive and ineffective. Sure they maybe good for the environment but, and this is a big but, if it's not going to protect my family from nasty germs and illnesses then NO THANK YOU!! (Bytheway, I will be doing an effectiveness post with pictures to prove it:) Can you feel my excitement through the computer? So, here is the "official" question: Is it possible to get the best of both worlds?

...drum roll please...

A resounding AB-SO-LUTE-LY!!!

I will also be comparing the effectiveness of the ECO-Friendly Store vrs. mainstream chemicals like windex, laundry detergent and such at a later date; Complete with pictures! Sure hope this is helpful and informative. Please let me know what you think, look forward to chatting. {If you Interested in buying these products, LET ME KNOW!}

Store	Wal-mart	ECO- Friendly Store	Amway	Shaklee
Laundry Detergent	TIDE: $17.97(90 loads)	ECOSENSE: $15.99(96 loads)	LEGACY OF CLEAN: $28.20(100 loads)	GET CLEAN: $25.10(64 loads) (96 loads)=$37.65
Dryer Sheets	BOUNCE: '$6.12(160 ct) (160 ct.)= $6.12	ECOSENSE: $5.69(100 ct) (160 ct.)= $9.00	DRY CLEANER’S SECRET: $28.99 (20 ct) (160 ct.)=$231.92	GET CLEAN: $10.15(80 ct) (160 ct.)=$17.38
Stain remover	SPRAY N’ WASH: $2.48 (30 fl oz)	ECOSENSE: $5.69 (32 fl oz)	CLASSIC LAUNDRY: $17.98 (26 fl oz)	__
Color booster	CLOROX 2: $18.92 (96 loads)	ECOSENSE: $13.99 (96 loads)	LEGACY OF CLEAN: $21.13 (100 LOADS)	NATURE BRIGHT: $23.25 (100 LOADS)
Dish Soap	DAWN: $3.97 (38 fl oz)	ECOSENSE: $3.74 (34 fl oz)	LEGACY OF CLEAN: $8.85 (33.8 fl oz)	GET CLEAN : $6.90 (16 oz) $13=(34 fl oz)
Dishwasher Detergent	CASCADE: $3.97 (15 loads?)	DIAMOND BRITE: $7.89 (25 loads)	LEGACY OF CLEAN: $9.65 (46 loads)	GET CLEAN: $9.50 (48 LOADS)
All Purpose Cleaner	409: $1.98 (22 fl oz)	ECOSENSE: $5.69 (16 fl oz) (Makes 32 gallons) *$8.50=48 gallons	LEGACY OF CLEAN: $4.60 (32 fl oz)	GET CLEAN: $10.35 (16 fl oz) (Makes 48 gallons)

Moms For Healthy Homes

And So It Begins!

Yummy Fresh Balsamic Vinegar Pizza and Dessert

Amazing Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

Prep Time:25 Min

Cook Time:20 Min

Ready In:2 Hrs 45 Min

Servings (Help)

Ingredients

Directions

Mirror Re-purposed

Organize That Dang Purse!

Homemade/Natural Baby Wipes!{Money Saver}

Beautiful Wall Art Made From Toilet Paper Rolls, Recycled Books and Poster Board!

May Toy Recalls

April Toy Recalls

May Household Recalls

April Household Recalls

May Child Recalls

April Child Products Recalls

For The Sake Of A Laugh...

Is Your Home Healthy?

Trying To Get Paint Out Of A Carpet? Look No Further!

Calcium Doesn't Just Grow On Bones

My Own "Cascade" Commercial

Make An Attractive Storage Container Out Of...... A Diaper Box?

Second Salad

First Salad of The Week!

Salad Week

WDYD: What Do YOU Do?

This Mom Works From Home!

Banning The Brown Bag

Whose The Chicken Now?

Stress Relief Games

What Does Plowing and Self Reliance Have To Do With Each Other?

Top 5 Things To Help Eliminate The Silent Killers In Our Homes

April Toy Recalls

April Child Product Recalls

April Recalls(Household Items)

The Results of "Test Week is Stress Week!"

"Never Ever, Ever, Ever,Ever, Ever Give Up! Never, Ever,Ever..Winston Churchill Said That, I Think."

Test Week is Stress Week!

Starting a Movement to Become Better, More Educated Label Readers!

Why Use Organic Cosmetics?

Household Items Recalled for the Month of March

Toy Recalls for the Month of March.

Infant/Child Product Recalls for the Month of March

Are Eco-Friendly/Kid Safe Products Affordable?

Prep Time:
25 Min

Cook Time:
20 Min

Ready In:
2 Hrs 45 Min