tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68119338895764265202024-03-13T21:59:03.005-07:00Sustainable FamilySustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-3884352348251150362011-01-30T21:10:00.001-08:002011-01-31T21:05:56.625-08:00Swirly Lollipops<p><font color="#0080c0">For my kids birthday party they wanted to have a lollipop party. I immediately thought of those giant swirly whirly lollipops that you see at old fashioned candy shops and that’s what I wanted to use to decorate. Well I found out those are expensive and full of lots of not so good ingredients. So what’s a mom to do but decide to make them herself! It was a fun adventure making lollipops and I am happy we accomplished what I set out to do. We made Swirly Whirly Lollipops! </font></p> <p><font color="#ff00ff">Here’s How: </font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">Recipe: Makes about 20 1” lollipops <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3f5Hh82I/AAAAAAAAAVM/sbfUouxsZuw/IMAG0260.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3f5Hh82I/AAAAAAAAAVM/sbfUouxsZuw/s400/IMAG0260.jpg" width="198" height="160"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">3 cups Sugar<br>1/2 cup Water<br>3/4 cup Lt. corn syrup<br>1/4 teaspoon Cream of tartar</font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">1-2 different flavoring oils (about 1 tsp each)</font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">2 different colors (about 1/8-1sp each) </font> <p><font color="#0080ff">You will need to adjust the amount of flavoring and coloring depending on how strong they are. I found that using the paste colors from a candy/cake making store I had to use less than 1/8 teaspoon. However when using the food coloring in the little red topped tubes from the grocery store took over 1tsp. </font> <p><font color="#0080ff">I came up with this recipe by adapting this </font><a href="http://www.candycanefacts.com/candy_cane_recipe.html"><font color="#ff0000">candy cane</font></a><font color="#0080ff"> recipe. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff80ff">Step One: Set up everything! Oil everything (I found vegetable oil worked best). Make sure all your ingredients are ready to go. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY35ZsHjnI/AAAAAAAAAVc/iKpaISCpuZ8/IMAG0242.jpg"><font color="#ff80ff"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY35ZsHjnI/AAAAAAAAAVc/iKpaISCpuZ8/s400/IMAG0242.jpg" width="188" height="276"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#ff80ff">Here are my molds sitting on top of upside down cookie sheets covered in foil. This helps them cool faster. I found that the molds did not work well (too many lollipops broke getting them off the mold). However the plastic mold you see in the background worked well. Be sure everything is covered in oil and lay all your sticks out. I found it was easier to just poor the syrup on the sticks instead of using the molds for regular lollipops. </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY33Ix47II/AAAAAAAAAVY/kK8k3z1Xs2g/IMAG0241.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY33Ix47II/AAAAAAAAAVY/kK8k3z1Xs2g/s400/IMAG0241.jpg" width="118" height="168"></a><font color="#8080ff">Step 2: Start heating the sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar and water on the stove. You heat until the sugar dissolves then transfer it to 2 pots and add flavor and color. This is when you turn up the heat on the burner and use your candy thermometer to get the syrup up to temperature (300 for regular lollipops, 280 for swirly pops)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3xCAfp7I/AAAAAAAAAVU/UJwzNp5DDjs/IMAG0264.jpg"><font color="#8080ff"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3xCAfp7I/AAAAAAAAAVU/UJwzNp5DDjs/s400/IMAG0264.jpg" width="210" height="143"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#8080ff">You can see the color mixing into the syrup. This happens without stirring. It is important that you do not stir the syrup after the sugar dissolves. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3xCAfp7I/AAAAAAAAAVU/UJwzNp5DDjs/IMAG0264.jpg"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3n48TMCI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/yCZFMRNQ6aE/IMAG0262.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY3n48TMCI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/yCZFMRNQ6aE/s400/IMAG0262.jpg" width="235" height="160"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Regular Lollipops: Once the syrup reaches 300 degrees for regular lollipops you remove the pan from the heat and pour the syrup slowly onto </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY4HvudnzI/AAAAAAAAAVk/SqbpCj6Mxgk/IMAG0266.jpg"><font color="#0000ff"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY4HvudnzI/AAAAAAAAAVk/SqbpCj6Mxgk/s400/IMAG0266.jpg" width="253" height="172"></font></a><font color="#0000ff">your molds and sticks. It pours very slowly so it is not hard to get nice sized circles this way for your lollipops. Be very careful it is extremely hot! Also you have to move some what quick because it starts to cool very quickly and of course it hardens as it cools. </font></p> <p></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">Swirly Lollipops: </font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">Once the syrup reaches 280 degrees you remove it from the heat. Now here is where it gets tricky and I admit I didn’t find the perfect solution. I tried pouring the syrup out in a big mound onto oiled foil in a cookie sheet and then moving it around as it cools so it does not harden. I also tried leaving it in the pot but it seemed to stay hot a lot longer this way. Anyway You need it to cool just enough to touch it but not so much that it gets hard. At this </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY4Ck7eFHI/AAAAAAAAAVg/E_ThOyrSUOs/IMAG0265.jpg"><font color="#8000ff"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TUY4Ck7eFHI/AAAAAAAAAVg/E_ThOyrSUOs/s400/IMAG0265.jpg" width="273" height="186"></font></a><font color="#8000ff">point (I have no pics because you have to move fast). You cover your hands in oil and take a small pinch of each color. Roll it into a rope and then form the rope into a circle and stick a stick into the end to make a swirly pop. You can also experiment with different shapes! <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTZoiBVI8jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/yqAnLS0vFlI/IMAG0267.jpg"><font color="#8000ff"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTZoiBVI8jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/yqAnLS0vFlI/s400/IMAG0267.jpg" width="178" height="261"></font></a></font></p> <p><font color="#8000ff">This is hard work because you have to pretty much touch the</font><font color="#8000ff"> syrup before it is cool enough to touch and then you have to work fast. It helps to have an extra set of adult hands to help. My daughter was able to make one or two lollipops (she’s 4) once the syrup cooled enough for her to touch. Rubber gloves and Band-Aids to cover your fingers can also help but don’t forget to cover your hands/gloves in vegetable oil. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff00ff">If this looks to hard I got some great tips from from Jayne who sells homemade lollipops for a great price in her </font><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmysSweetDream"><font color="#ff0000">Etsy store</font></a><font color="#ff00ff"> (I found it only after I started making my own). </font></p> <p><font color="#ff8040">Things I tried that didn’t work: I made one batch with agave syrup instead of corn syrup. These turned out more like taffy. The bonus was they were easy to mold (it didn’t harden all the way when cool). However to keep there shape on there stick you had to keep them in the freezer. They tasted good though. This would be a good option if lots of kids were helping out. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff8040">I also made an all natural batch with a honey and sugar (no food coloring or un natural flavored oils). These worked okay and many people liked them. I felt they tasted a bit like burned sugar also they made better regular lollipops than swirly pops. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff00ff">Supplies: I ordered a thermometer, lollipop mold, sticks, candy bags, flavored oils (natural lemon, bubble gum and tutti fruity), food coloring from a <a href="http://www.candylandcrafts.com/">candy making website</a>. However you can purchase most of what you need a craft store. However be aware that chocolate molds will melt if used for lollipops or other hard candies. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff00ff"></font></p> <br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/" target="_blank"><img src=http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx63/deliciousambiguityblog/tot_tuesdays.jpg></a>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-80767505293877921992011-01-25T12:10:00.001-08:002011-01-25T12:10:27.780-08:00look what came in our CSA box today!<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TT8uMP9DFtI/AAAAAAAAAU0/9aZSqVQmqNo/IMAG0276.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TT8uMP9DFtI/AAAAAAAAAU0/9aZSqVQmqNo/s400/IMAG0276.jpg' /></a></p>Can you identify this mystery veggie?<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-83388923239904156632011-01-24T22:24:00.001-08:002011-01-25T20:30:08.403-08:00Yummy Easy Brown Rice<p>I have been trying to switch to <a href="http://pinchmysalt.com/2009/04/06/how-to-cook-perfect-brown-rice/">brown rice</a> for a long time and I have had some success with cooking it but it seemed like a lot of work and it took a while.<br />Here is a great recipe that only takes 40 minutes. I did during the kids naptime and I warmed it up later for dinner. Oh and I went back to snack on it later that evening. That says something out of all the treats in the house I wanted to snack on brown rice! Oh and I bought it from <a href="http://www.massaorganics.com/">Massa Organics</a> at our local farmers market, there rice and wheat is the best and makes great products. </p><p>We used it to make Mexican rice bowels. Rice, meat (we used ground beef), black beans, salsa, cheese and avocado. This is an easy dinner and most things can be prepared in advance I also made <a href="http://thepauperedchef.com/2009/06/90-minute-no-soak-beans.html">black beans</a> from scratch. Again it was an easy recipe and required no soaking! These were by far the best beans I have made, they were cooked through but not mushy! </p><p>Rice bowls are versatile, you can use different beans, meats, veggies, sauces but you’ll always know you are giving your family a healthy meal. Also for my picky kids I gave them all the parts of the rice bowl in different sections on there plate (not mixed up). Since there was a variety of veggies and protein sources I didn’t have to worry that they ate every bite. A few more good things about this meal is its economical and keeps well for lunches or tomorrows dinner. </p><p>Linking Up To: </p><p> </p><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://lbratina.blogspot.com/"><br /><img border="0" width="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wyytHe89oSc/SbL7r4HH-GI/AAAAAAAAK-o/1J7UnuWcIi0/S150/thriftthursday.bmp" height="114" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.abcand123learning.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="abc button" src="http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/meyeringk/ABCGraphics-Page003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/" target="_blank"><img src=http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx63/deliciousambiguityblog/tot_tuesdays.jpg></a>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-22718043547663038572011-01-24T10:05:00.001-08:002011-01-24T10:05:00.362-08:00Good Article on Fluoride<p><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/doYM">http://networkedblogs.com/doYM</a></p> <p>We do not live where their is fluoride in the water, which I think is great because it gives us the choice. Our children (2 and 4yrs) use non-fluoride toothpaste. When they are older and not swallowing so much of it I will consider a more natural fluoride toothpaste. </p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-21307683820591590252011-01-18T20:28:00.001-08:002011-01-18T20:37:31.537-08:00Activity of the day home made swirly pops! Rorie Loved helping make these!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTZoiBVI8jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/yqAnLS0vFlI/IMAG0267.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTZoiBVI8jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/yqAnLS0vFlI/s400/IMAG0267.jpg" /></a></p>Wordless Wednesday <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: xx-small">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-10451273719610241312011-01-17T21:34:00.001-08:002011-01-17T21:34:56.803-08:00Hamburger and French Fries!<p><font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">So people think that we are missing out not going to fast food. We still do go out to eat I just try to pick restaurants that are not large chains and not fast food. We now prefer home made pizza because it is so yummy! However that means pizza night is no longer a quick phone call and 30 minutes later dinner <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmcG71NpI/AAAAAAAAAUM/Ag1pjtEBHro/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><font size="4" face="Futura Bk"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmcG71NpI/AAAAAAAAAUU/PZayBnvwDiY/s1600-h/image%5B14%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmdB13zMI/AAAAAAAAAUc/yvohPDgTjc4/image_thumb%5B8%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="228" height="158"></a></font></a>is on the table. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">Anyway tonight we had hamburgers and French fries our way! It was super yummy so I had to post.</font></p> <p><font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">Hamburger: Our meat is from Sean’s parents ranch where they raise a few cattle for beef. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">Toppings: Avocado, cheese and mushrooms all from California. It was weird not having tomatoes but I am trying to not buy fruits and veggies out of season so we went with out. I was excited to find Avocado at the food co-op from California it was the bright green kind not the typical Hass ones that we get in the summer and fall. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmd6ZvwvI/AAAAAAAAAUg/iUH9fVTb2ZI/s1600-h/image%5B9%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmegK4t8I/AAAAAAAAAUk/jPgbFERAxcM/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="157" height="220"></a></font></p> <p> <font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">Buns: At 3:30 I realized I would need bread by dinner time so I used my new Kitchenaid mixer to make over sized dinner rolls that have extra yeast so they rise fast. They were 1/2 bread flour 1/2 wheat. </font></p> <p><font color="#ff8000" size="4" face="Futura Bk"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ff8000"><font size="4" face="Futura Bk">Fries: I looked up some recipes and made </font><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/Ina-Gartens-Baked-Sweet-Potato-Fries-333618"><font size="4" face="Futura Bk">baked sweet potato</font></a><font size="4" face="Futura Bk"> and <font color="#008000">regular fries</font>. The sweet </font><font size="4" face="Futura Bk">potato ones did not get crispy (I will tweak the recipe and try again soon). The other ones were great. My family loves home made fries and always asks for more. Also I am freezing a batch for a quick snack another day. (Fry pictures are before they were cooked. I got to busy with eating to take any after shots after they cooked)</font></font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4" face="Futura Bk">Regular Fries: Pre-heat oven to 450, cut Yukon gold (or other) potatoes into fry size pieces. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmfbXtkWI/AAAAAAAAAUo/_xEUkRijO5I/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TTUmf3k29jI/AAAAAAAAAUs/eI43d29AHuw/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a>Put in a bowl and mix with a few tablespoons of California Olive Oil, salt, pepper and other favorite seasonings (I like paprika, or 21 season mix from Trader Joes). Place on cookie sheet in single layer and bake at 450 on lowest rack for 20-30 minutes flipping fries once about half way through. </font></p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-41909069260887507872011-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:002011-01-11T21:38:47.692-08:00Back to basics!<font color="#0000ff">This is a </font><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/family-dinner-how_b_806114.html"><font color="#ff8000">great article</font></a><font color="#0000ff"> about changing how we eat. Over the last year my family has done most of these things. We are not perfect but we only go out to eat once or twice a week. We have been a member of a CSA for almost two years and I have been visiting farmers markets since I was a kid. We now have our own garden (if only we could get it to produce!). We make our own bread, cookies, jam, and many other snacks. We purchase about 75% of our food from the local food co-op buying seasonal and local when possible. Our kids are learning to garden, cook, shop local and they only eat the best seasonal fruits and veggies! As a family we are wasting less, saving money, spending time together gardening and cooking. <br>What changes is your family making?</font> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TS07TYA3-YI/AAAAAAAAAT8/f0zGOlECW1Q/IMAG0233.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TS07TYA3-YI/AAAAAAAAAT8/f0zGOlECW1Q/s400/IMAG0233.jpg"></a></p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-48442443308275445492011-01-06T19:04:00.001-08:002011-01-06T19:04:46.705-08:00New Years Resolution: Bread Baking<p><font color="#ff0000">My goal this year is to make 95% of our bread </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOl2wJcTpI/AAAAAAAAASs/Mp_NgE4X8z4/IMAG0141.jpg"><font color="#ff0000"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOl2wJcTpI/AAAAAAAAASs/Mp_NgE4X8z4/s400/IMAG0141.jpg" width="162" height="238"></font></a><font color="#ff0000">at home. I want to leave a little wiggle room to buy some things I don’t know how to make or when its just been to busy a week to make bread. I do have a bread machine that I use to make my dough but I just got a kitchen aid mixer for Christmas so I am excited to branch out in my bread making. If anyone has any sourdough making tips please let me know! I have the starter but I have yet to get the texture of the bread quite right! </font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I have more goals but they will have to wait for a future post. Right now I am working on greening up my kids birthday party (reducing waste form party supplies, etc.). Any tips on doing this on a budget would be appreciated! </p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-59107263992506719332010-12-27T22:14:00.001-08:002010-12-27T22:14:56.903-08:00Fluffy whole grain pancakes!<p><font color="#ff8040" size="4">Here is my recipe for fluffy whole grain <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxUGq2TWI/AAAAAAAAAT0/HNnyf8yBUr8/IMAG0213.jpg"><img align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxUGq2TWI/AAAAAAAAAT0/HNnyf8yBUr8/s400/IMAG0213.jpg" width="150" height="213"></a>pancakes. Well they are a mixture of flours and grains. I have been searching for a healthy yummy pancake recipe for a few years now and until recently my pancakes were never very fluffy. Luckily my family ate them anyway. These ones though, they devour. Enjoy!</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">4 servings: about 3-4 silver dollar size pancakes for each person.</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1 cup milk</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">2 tbsp vinegar </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1/2 cup whole wheat flower </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flower</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1/2 cup oats (optional) </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1 tsp baking powder</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1 tsp baking soda </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">2-4 tbsp sugar </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">2 eggs </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">2 tbsp butter melted or very soft </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">1 tsp vanilla </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4"> First add vinegar to milk stir and let sit for 5 minutes while you get other ingredients ready. Season skillet/griddle by rubbing oil on it with a small towel, then heat to medium/medium-high. In large bowl mix dry ingredients. Add beaten eggs, butter and vanilla to milk mixture. Mix with dry ingredients and stir just enough to mix batter. </font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="4">At this point I like to put the pancake batter into a large measuring cup to make pouring onto the skillet easier and less messy. Next pour about 1/4 cup on to the skillet and flip after bubbles appear and pop on the surface. Cook the second side then plop on a plate, hand them out to the family and enjoy with your favorite toppings! Our favorite is maple syrup of course! </font></p> <p><font size="4"><font color="#008000">Freeze the leftovers: Now it is rare that we have leftovers (unless I make a double batch) but they freeze well. Freeze them in a container and then just reheat in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack! We no longer buy Frozen waffles in our house which saves money and I don’t have to worry about what's in them! </font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font color="#ff8040">Note about flours: I buy my favorite wheat flour at the Davis farmers market. Of course that means it is local but also that means it tastes great and does not add as much density to baked goods as typical wheat flours. For unbleached all purpose flour I buy King Arthur, Bob Mills or what ever is in the bulk bin at the Davis Food Co-op. </font></font></p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-361646828180780652010-12-24T11:38:00.001-08:002010-12-27T22:29:45.998-08:00Christmas Activities<p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%">We have been busy with our sustainable holiday projects. Here are a few...</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxDx6DgcI/AAAAAAAAATs/lekB905e0jE/IMAG0208.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxDx6DgcI/AAAAAAAAATs/lekB905e0jE/s400/IMAG0208.jpg" width="211" height="147"></a>Christmas Eve the kids woke up to receive these elf gifts. Silk scarves (in the buckets), fishing game and Christmas sensory bin. I wanted to give them these gifts separate from Christmas so they wouldn’t have to compete with some of the more typical Christmas gifts they will receive later and tomorrow from Santa. Also I like to spread things out so they don’t get overwhelmed with to many gifts at once. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTw8RtIYpI/AAAAAAAAATo/UaaMvtXcHIM/IMAG0210.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTw8RtIYpI/AAAAAAAAATo/UaaMvtXcHIM/s400/IMAG0210.jpg" width="221" height="158"></a></span></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxDx6DgcI/AAAAAAAAATs/lekB905e0jE/IMAG0208.jpg"></a></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%">For breakfast we ate Snowman <a href="http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/12/fluffy-whole-grain-pancakes.html">pancakes</a> of course. My own healthy take on it was bananas, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds and almonds for decorating. My favorite new <a href="http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/12/fluffy-whole-grain-pancakes.html">pancake</a> recipe using 1/2 whole wheat flower and vinegar for super fluffy results. </span></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwy1BKttI/AAAAAAAAATk/wHC39n51YUk/IMAG0212.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwy1BKttI/AAAAAAAAATk/wHC39n51YUk/s400/IMAG0212.jpg" width="212" height="160"></a><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxUGq2TWI/AAAAAAAAAT0/HNnyf8yBUr8/IMAG0213.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxUGq2TWI/AAAAAAAAAT0/HNnyf8yBUr8/s400/IMAG0213.jpg" width="150" height="213"></a><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTw8RtIYpI/AAAAAAAAATo/UaaMvtXcHIM/IMAG0210.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span> </p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTxUGq2TWI/AAAAAAAAAT0/HNnyf8yBUr8/IMAG0213.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span> </p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span> </p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%"></span> </p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%">There Christmas sensory bin using all things from aro<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRRQg0hMCKI/AAAAAAAAATc/LW43nfN4KWk/IMAG0207.jpg"><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRRQg0hMCKI/AAAAAAAAATc/LW43nfN4KWk/s400/IMAG0207.jpg" width="176" height="252"></a>und the house. Its a great way to use those ornaments, and decorations that don’t get out up. We also used, art supplies and extra gift wrapping stuff.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: meiryo; color: #004000; font-size: 100%">Then Rorie made some art projects that she is going to give as gifts to her family. <span style="color: #800000">Happy Holidays! </span></span></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwtqWCoSI/AAAAAAAAATg/fyUaQCwpjpg/IMAG0214.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwtqWCoSI/AAAAAAAAATg/fyUaQCwpjpg/s400/IMAG0214.jpg" width="161" height="236"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwtqWCoSI/AAAAAAAAATg/fyUaQCwpjpg/IMAG0214.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRRQg0hMCKI/AAAAAAAAATc/LW43nfN4KWk/IMAG0207.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRTwtqWCoSI/AAAAAAAAATg/fyUaQCwpjpg/IMAG0214.jpg"></a></p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-35804393032109697502010-12-22T22:36:00.001-08:002011-01-11T21:50:28.687-08:00Update: Gone Fishing!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRLt9_Q2KyI/AAAAAAAAATY/820ZHYhibSc/IMAG0206.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TRLt9_Q2KyI/AAAAAAAAATY/820ZHYhibSc/s400/IMAG0206.jpg"></a></p> <p><font color="#008080">Felt fishing set that I decided to attempt in the final days before Xmas.<br>It was my attempt at copying this one at </font><a href="http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/03/counting-felt-fish.html"><font color="#ff0000">Counting Coconuts</font></a><font color="#008080"><font color="#ff0000">.</font> It took two days to complete. I made the fish one day and added magnets, fishing poles and the lake the next day. So about 3-4 hours all together. Once I got going though the fish were easier and easier to make. Because I am not a good hand sewer I did it all on the machine. I went to Michaels and bought super magnets for the fishing lure and the poles. Then at Joanne fabrics (yes it took two stores to complete this project) I found magnetic purse snaps (for making a purse) that were on sale and perfect for the fish eyes (there is one inside the starfish). <br>My daughter has been asking for a fishing set for almost a year now. This summer I bought her a cheap set she saw at the store to go in her blow up pool outside. Well the pole promptly broke about 5 minutes after we got it home (it was a defective design). I had been looking for another more sturdy set when I saw this one at </font><a href="http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/03/counting-felt-fish.html"><font color="#ff0000">Counting Coconuts</font></a><font color="#008080">, I also had just learned how to sew felt food so it was time to try something new! <br>It will be under the tree for Christmas so if you see my kids before then, don't tell them about it!</font></p> <p><font color="#008080"><img border="0" alt="abc button" src="http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt46/meyeringk/ABCGraphics-Page003.jpg"></font></p> <p><font color="#8080ff">Update 1/11/11: Additional things I thought would be fun and educational. Using letter magnets or other fridge magnets to change the fishing theme. Also instead of fishing in a felt lake you could use rubber or plastic magnets and try fishing in the bathtub. If sewing isn’t your thing you could make fish out of thick paper and laminate or tape them with the magnet inside. <br></font></p> <div style="text-align: center; clear: both; font-size: xx-small">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-44096834632208907222010-12-05T20:20:00.001-08:002010-12-06T09:37:48.023-08:00EIO Kids Cup Review!<p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhf3NdGmI/AAAAAAAAATE/NOxUKHTjLS4/IMAG0183.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhf3NdGmI/AAAAAAAAATE/NOxUKHTjLS4/s400/IMAG0183.jpg" width="163" height="240" /></a>About 2 weeks ago we received an <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/">EIO</a> kid's cup to review. Its actually not a cup but parts of a cup to be put on an 8oz canning jar (or you can buy it with the jar included). Let me explain. This <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/about-us.html">new company</a> (basically parents that weren’t happy with the sippy cup options out there) decided to design their own cup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">The <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/">EIO</a> cup: The cup consists of a top that screws onto an 8oz glass canning jar and a silicone sleeve for the jar. The cup has a small opening for drinking so kids learn to drink properly from a cup. It has no valves, spouts or other typical sippy cup parts that are hard to clean, break and get lost often. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Things we LOVE about this cup: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhkv6mSXI/AAAAAAAAATI/OVNn3-mtdCY/IMAG0184.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhkv6mSXI/AAAAAAAAATI/OVNn3-mtdCY/s400/IMAG0184.jpg" width="157" height="231" /></a></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Its BPA free</span> <li><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">It promotes proper cup drinking skills </span><li><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">It promotes good speech development. </span><li><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">It doesn’t break! </span><li><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Its reusable (we use canning jars for everything at our house). </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">I found this cup as I was searching online one day for plastic free dishes for my kids. My son is well known for his food, dish and cup throwing skills. One of his favorites is to pour “wawa” (water) on the carpet. So I thought we were stuck using sippy cups. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Then I came across the <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/">EIO</a> cup. I contacted the company and they sent one out right away for me and Leo to review. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">I washed and put it together easily and handed it off to Leo. He quickly figured out where the hole is to drink from and was able to easily drink from it. He now requests it when he sees it on the counter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">So check it out for yourselves. I know we will be purchasing a few more so we can get rid of those plastic sippy cups! <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/index.html"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxkd7H_mPI/AAAAAAAAATU/f7kMvDUxRqw/image%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="281" height="226" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Meiryo;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">I work in Special Education and I have heard many speech therapists recommend no sippy cups after age 2 for proper speech development! The <a href="http://eiokidscup.com/">EIO</a> cup can fill the gap between the sippy cup and a regular cup! </span></p><p>*Leo and <em>I received a free cup to review for this blog post but no other compensation. </em></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-8442534159342102022010-12-05T00:54:00.001-08:002010-12-06T09:41:38.353-08:00Sensory Bins: Recycled Kids Activity<p><span style="font-family:fixedsys;font-size:130%;color:#0080c0;">I have been admiring the sensory bins that many <a href="http://givinguponacleanhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/leaf-week.html">blogger mom’s </a>do with their kids. They are popular among home schooling mom’s, preschools, crafting mom’s and Montessori education. What has kept me from making them with my kids is that I have been working on not buying cheap dollar store (or other) toys, crafts and stuff just to occupie my kids time. Well since the weather does not allow them to play outside as much anymore I have been creatively coming up with more craft activities. Also my daughter attends a Waldorf preschool. We like her school and I think the activities that she does there are great, she misses the typical school crafts and activities she did last year in preschool. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:fixedsys;font-size:130%;color:#0080c0;">So then I thought about it and decided I could come up with sensory bins that used stuff we already have around the house. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:fixedsys;font-size:130%;color:#0080c0;">Our first bins are: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:fixedsys;font-size:130%;color:#0080c0;">The Happy Birthday 4 Bin. This is for my daughter who will be 4 next week. She is so excited for her birthday so we decided to start celebrating a little early. It contains typical birthday stuff, candles, bows, birthday cards, napkins, etc and there is 4 of everything (except the tissue paper filler). All the stuff in the bin I had saved from past parties, gifts and activities so we are reusing everything. This was a great way to use up ripped tissue paper, recycled greeting cards, squished bows, etc. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPtN3W2-I9I/AAAAAAAAAS8/yeucYx5ymbo/IMAG0176.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPtN3W2-I9I/AAAAAAAAAS8/yeucYx5ymbo/s400/IMAG0176.jpg" /></a> <p><span style="color:#0080c0;">To go along with this bin we are going to read: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Give-Cupcake-Give-Books/dp/0060283246"><span style="color:#ff0000;">If You Give a Cat a Cupcake.</span></a><span style="color:#0080c0;"> Also we will work on a P is for Party letter to go with our alphabet letters that we are decorating our playroom with. </span><p><span style="color:#0080c0;">I decided Leo needed a bin to. Although I don’t see him leaving the stuff in the bin, so I know a mess is ahead. So I made him a construction bin full of trucks, rocks, scoops and frogs. I just used toys form theie toy bins but I had to buy a few small bags of rocks to fill the bin (we didn’t have any in our yard). We will reuse the rocks in other projects, our garden or future outside play. </span><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPtN_TQr5iI/AAAAAAAAATA/Rvvkz-GF-CU/IMAG0177.jpg"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPtN_TQr5iI/AAAAAAAAATA/Rvvkz-GF-CU/s400/IMAG0177.jpg" /></a> <p></p><p><span style="color:#0080c0;">I am excited to do a Christmas bin, recycle bin, baking bin and winter bin in the next couple of weeks or months. I will continue to reuse and recycle as many items for the bins as possible. </span></p><p><span style="color:#0080c0;"><span style="color:#008000;">Update: 12-5-10: The kids played with their bins today. Rorie really liked it and did all the counting, art projects, made up her own games, etc. Leo played with his for about 5 minutes. Then he dumped it out on the ground and rolled around in the rocks! Maybe he is too young for sensory bins. </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#0080c0;"><span style="color:#008000;">This is how Leo decided to have his Sensory experience! </span></span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhvANaC1I/AAAAAAAAATQ/eT79m70334E/IMAG0178.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhvANaC1I/AAAAAAAAATQ/eT79m70334E/s400/IMAG0178.jpg" /></a></p><p><span style="color:#008000;">and here’s Rorie’s (about 2hrs after she started playing with it) </span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhqGVGRlI/AAAAAAAAATM/SEIJE39Q9zc/IMAG0179.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPxhqGVGRlI/AAAAAAAAATM/SEIJE39Q9zc/s400/IMAG0179.jpg" /></a></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-53281896703998272352010-12-01T23:29:00.001-08:002010-12-06T09:55:20.426-08:00felt food<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPdK6V5OFvI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Rw-k22RojFs/IMAG0172.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPdK6V5OFvI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Rw-k22RojFs/s400/IMAG0172.jpg" /></a></p><p>Still working on the felt food. This is carrots, strawberries and eggs. I like using the sewing machine to make the body of the food but closing it up and adding stems is very tedious. I am hoping to have the breakfast basket done in less than 2 weeks though so I will keep at it. Any tips are appreciated.<br /></p><p>When I am making them I figure they don't have to be perfect because my kids are used to funny looking fruits and veggies since we have a garden, CSA box and shop at farmers market for our produce. So all the pieces are different and I don't worry about them all being the same size, shape or color.<br /></p><p>Oh and it helps that <a href="http://givinguponacleanhouse.blogspot.com/">Stacy</a> and I are going to work on the baskets together. So I am making extra eggs and trading her for muffins, etc.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: xx-small">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-11763157376919433032010-11-26T22:37:00.001-08:002010-12-06T09:55:44.824-08:00Breakfast!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPCnGFNKOmI/AAAAAAAAAS0/JW8aN92Gat0/IMAG0164.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TPCnGFNKOmI/AAAAAAAAAS0/JW8aN92Gat0/s400/IMAG0164.jpg" /></a></p>This my first felt egg. I am working on a breakfast basket for my daughter's birthday.<br />http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/03/breakfast-basket.html<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: xx-small">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-75877369479776657802010-11-21T20:44:00.001-08:002010-11-22T22:37:10.192-08:00fresh pesto tomato pizza<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TOn1IM37DvI/AAAAAAAAASw/R44t012EjQk/IMAG0160.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TOn1IM37DvI/AAAAAAAAASw/R44t012EjQk/s400/IMAG0160.jpg" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center; clear: both;font-size:xx-small;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the super yummy pizza I made last night for dinner! So we were planting the rest of our winter garden and we took out the rest of our basil plants (from our summer garden), we were going to dry it but when I looked up drying directions I saw pesto making directions. Pesto sounded good so I quickly threw the pizza dough ingredients in the bread machine and started making my first Pesto. The finished Pesto was quite yummy even my kids liked it (who are not normally fond of eating green things).<br />The pesto Pizza however was AWESOME! Just pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes and sausage (for my husband who has to has meat at all meals). I am off from work this week and hoping to catch up on some blog posts about what we've been up to. Especially our garden that we nearly killed! Also I am going to have a review up for this new kids cup, I am so excited for Leo to try out!<br />Check it out:<br />http://www.eiokidscup.com/<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-71913180568281666162010-11-04T23:36:00.001-07:002010-11-04T23:36:12.570-07:00English muffins ummmm<p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOl2wJcTpI/AAAAAAAAASs/Mp_NgE4X8z4/IMAG0141.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOl2wJcTpI/AAAAAAAAASs/Mp_NgE4X8z4/s400/IMAG0141.jpg' /></a></p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-30408101438778356372010-11-04T21:16:00.001-07:002010-11-08T22:11:59.461-08:00Honey Wheat Bread<p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">This is my favorite bread recipe; we make it at least once a week. I modified the recipe from the Zojirushi bread maker cookbook to just use the dough setting and cook it in the oven, but its still super easy and yummy. Baking in the oven leads to a much softer crust and better bread. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">1 3/8 cups water</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">4 1/4 cups bread flour (co op bulk or King Arthur) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">1/2 cup cracked wheat (co op bulk section)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">3 Tbsp honey </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">1 tsp sea salt </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">2 Tbsp unsalted butter </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">2 tsp active dry yeast </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">Put ingredients in the bread machine's recommended order. Set for the dough cycle. When complete I shape into 2 loaf pans or 1 loaf and rolls. Let rise about 20 minutes then bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes. It makes great sandwiches, toast, rolls, etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">I am trying out an English muffin bread recipe tonight so I will let you know how it goes. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOFM_BGzcI/AAAAAAAAASk/mvXbHd7EeXI/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TNOFNTgw8yI/AAAAAAAAASo/8wcazmwFung/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">Also I picked up a home made bread bag at Apple Hill a few weeks ago. It is lined with plastic but until I get a bread box it is great for keeping the bread fresh longer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">Please send me yummy whole grain or wheat recipes, I am looking for some that my family will like!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Vrinda;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">We have bought very little bread in the last 2 months which saves a lot of money on groceries. Also the few loaves we have bought taste cardboard-ish (even the good Rudy’s Organic). It is amazing the taste of home made bread! </span></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-36399257909685995352010-11-02T23:00:00.000-07:002010-11-08T22:09:24.978-08:00We've been busy and sustainable<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TND9Clj0kYI/AAAAAAAAASE/Ikr-7vIsK4I/s1600/112_0707.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535202162922262914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TND9Clj0kYI/AAAAAAAAASE/Ikr-7vIsK4I/s320/112_0707.JPG" /></a><br />What have we been up to lately at Sustainable family???<br /><br />Garden: Well we planted our winter garden and it is doing well so far. Our summer garden is still around and has given us some November (today) tomatoes, strawberries, basil and peppers! Today I needed a bell pepper to make chili and I didn't find any in the fridge. Then I thought oh ya the garden. It is so nice to walk out to our backyard market!<br /><br />Cooking: I have committed to making our own bread and have bought very few loaves since buying my bread machine about 2 months ago. I prefer to make the dough in the machine and then make rolls or loaves and bake in the oven. Oh and the pizza dough makes amazing pizzas with lots of variety! Also this weekend we made our strawberry jam with berries from farmer's market! It is so good and reminds me of when I was a kid and my parents made jam every year. We have been eating lots of home made soup, stew and chili given the fall season.<br /><br />Leo and Aurora had some friends o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TND-EiktKDI/AAAAAAAAASc/_mYWhvc0ixM/s1600/112_0686.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535203295992031282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TND-EiktKDI/AAAAAAAAASc/_mYWhvc0ixM/s320/112_0686.JPG" /></a>ver to make their own pizza's. They had fun shaping the dough and adding their own toppings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Food Storage: I have been saving all of my jars (apple sauce, jam, peanut butter, etc.) and have started to use these for food storage. They are great because they are free and clean up better than plastic. Also I have been storing dry goods (crackers, flower, sugar, etc.) in large glass storage containers and mason jars. This saved them from a recent ant attack, looks good and helps remind me to shop in the bulk section at the co op.<br /><br />I am looking for stainless steel divided plates, cups and bowls for the kids. Let me know if anyone knows where to get them.<br />What sustainable changes has your family made?SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-30921076180702306472010-10-10T21:57:00.001-07:002010-10-16T12:19:13.143-07:00Apple blackberry breakfast bars.<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TLKZOHIUXUI/AAAAAAAAAR8/3lY8M46xN2c/IMAG0116.jpg"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TLKZOHIUXUI/AAAAAAAAAR8/3lY8M46xN2c/s400/IMAG0116.jpg" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TLKZOhnUyUI/AAAAAAAAASA/Lu7bIobNUW4/1286773008923.jpg"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TLKZOhnUyUI/AAAAAAAAASA/Lu7bIobNUW4/s400/1286773008923.jpg" /></a></p>These look like dessert but they are supposed to be breakfast bars! Here is the recipe I modeled mine after.<br />http://www.farmgirlfare.com/2007/08/apple-blueberry-crumble-bars-recipe.html<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><strong>"Crust"</strong><br />2 cups old-fashioned oats<br />1 cup all-purpose flour<br />3/4 cup light brown sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />1/3 cup shelled sun flour seeds (could substitute walnuts, almonds, etc.)<br />1 stick butter, melted<br />1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />1/2 cup apple sauce<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Fruit Layer</strong><br />2 cups frozen blackberries<br />3 cups peeled, chopped apples<br />1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Mix all ingredients and spread evenly on first layer.<br /><br /><strong>Topping</strong><br />1 cup all-purpose flour<br />1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar<br />1/4 cup butter<br />Mix with hands (it will be crumbly) and spread on top of fruit layer.<br /><strong></strong><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan. Mix <span style="font-weight: bold;">Crust</span> and press into 9 x13 or 9x9 & 9 x3. Spread <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fruit Layer</span> on top then crumble the <span style="font-weight: bold;">topping</span> over the fruit layer. </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Bake for 15 minutes at 425, reduce heat to 350 and bake for 20 more minutes (more for 9 x 13 pan). Cut or scoop and enjoy with yogurt for breakfast or Ice cream for dessert! Refrigerate leftovers or freeze in individual servings.<br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Okay after making and of course eating these I decided they are dessert not a breakfast bar. Even after reducing the butter and sugar they are too sweet for dessert. Yummy I am going to continue searching for a breakfast bar. </span><br /><strong></strong></span><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3.1</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-44833042781563977992010-10-05T23:01:00.001-07:002010-10-09T19:47:04.371-07:00Smartypants!<p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Okay, have you ever found a vitamin that your kids beg for that isn’t full of junk! Smartypants is the answer. They are the best. I love them too by the way. <a href="http://www.wearesmartypants.com/">www.wearesmartypants.com/</a></span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKwQl_9VAoI/AAAAAAAAARs/-0EXvNHBHKQ/s1600-h/image%5B21%5D.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKwQmSKW24I/AAAAAAAAARw/m1uNsBYR3rI/image_thumb%5B11%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="118" height="308" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#800000;">Breakdown of some of the good stuff….</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#0080c0;">Taste Great!</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">Low in sugar, no high fructose corn syrup</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#00ffff;">They contain Omega Oils with no fishy taste or after taste! </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Made in California</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">They donate to Vitamin Angels </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Cons…</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">You have to take 4 a day but they ta<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKwQmjSNcfI/AAAAAAAAAR0/J4W7NX_jtSo/s1600-h/image%5B6%5D.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKwQnJjAbhI/AAAAAAAAAR4/HGC6Q3860WU/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="167" height="244" /></a>ste so good it's not a big deal! </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#008000;">The cost…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#008000;">If you are already buying vitamins at the health food store, co-op, etc. The price will not shock you. It costs more to get good quality products from sustainable resources. Also if you consider the cost of a Multivitamin, Vitamin D and DHA it is actually less. I currently spend about $15 a month on a high quality children's DHA supplement alone. <span style="color:#0080c0;">Save 15% on your first order at Ecomom.com with the code SBBL562 (through Oct. 31).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">The Conclusion…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">These are great vitamins and my family will keep taking them because they are a cost effective, yummy way to stay healthy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">The Giveaway…</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ff8000;">Comment here that you liked Smartypants on FB or follow on Twitter and I will add you to my Ecomom $15 gift certificate giveaway. </span></p><p><span style="color:#8000ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#ff8000;">For more entries see this post:</span> </span><a title="http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/10/ecomom-giveaway.html" href="http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/10/ecomom-giveaway.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/10/ecomom-giveaway.html</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#8000ff;">The fine print…I was given a one month supply of Smartypants to review on this post. However, I was not compensated in anyway for writing this review. I just enjoy the product!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;"></span></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-21956347103341954302010-10-03T22:31:00.001-07:002010-10-07T21:09:13.759-07:00ECOMOM GIVEAWAY!<p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Ecomom is a great online store for affordable, sustainable, healthy products for your baby, kids and family. Some of my favorite products are cloth diapers, lunch boxes, cleaning products, toys and art supplies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">A gift to you from <a href="http://www.ecomom.com/">http://www.ecomom.com/</a>! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Use the code <span style="color:#8000ff;">SBBL562</span> for <span style="color:#8000ff;">15%</span> off through October 31st! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Try the new EcoPass. Purchase a $99 annual membership and receive 15% off every order as well as free shipping (no minimum)! The Ecopass can pay for its self in as few as 4 orders for just $8.25 per month! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Oh and that giveaway you were waiting for! <span style="color:#8000ff;">Ecomom is giving away a $15.00 gift certificate! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Here’s the rules: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Post one comment for each entry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Entry 1: Follow Sustainable Family and comment on one post. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Other ways to enter (must complete Entry 1 first).</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Like Ecomom and Sustainable Family on Facebook</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or twitter. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Join ecomom newsletter </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Follow EcoMomCEO on twitter </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;">Winners will be chosen at random.org. Don’t forget to comment on this post for each entry! Winner will be announced on <span style="color:#8000ff;">October 11th </span> please be sure I have an email address to notify you. Read my post on Smartypants vitamins for more ways to enter!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:130%;color:#008000;"><span style="color:#6666cc;">Giveaway extended to Oct. 11th!</span> </span></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-66335053118378387462010-09-30T22:03:00.001-07:002010-10-03T21:44:27.221-07:00I made bagels!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKVrn_vx_1I/AAAAAAAAARo/UqlgcshpCI8/IMAG0101.jpg"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKVrn_vx_1I/AAAAAAAAARo/UqlgcshpCI8/s400/IMAG0101.jpg" /></a></p><p>I can't wait to see how they taste. </p><p>10-3-2010: The bagles were great! My husband says they are his favorite bread so far oh and easy to freeze. </p><p>Here's the rcipe: <a href="http://www.breadmachinediva.com/2010/01/cinnamon-raisin-bagels/">http://www.breadmachinediva.com/2010/01/cinnamon-raisin-bagels/</a></p><div style="CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: xx-small; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3.1</div>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-79375715818340246462010-09-26T21:05:00.001-07:002010-09-27T20:48:01.524-07:00Busy Weekend!<p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#0080ff;">What did you do this weekend? Was it sustainable? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#0080ff;">Things we did: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#0080ff;">My husband put in a Raised Bed to plant our winter garden. Oh and we found our tomatoes <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYHEBDHPI/AAAAAAAAARE/BulP0oCpmQE/s1600-h/112_0609%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="112_0609" border="0" alt="112_0609" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYHhuwkOI/AAAAAAAAARI/bET8alGOXEE/112_0609_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></a>like their new home with a bit of shade; they are looking better. Also we learned that gardening is expensive when you are just starting out. The price for the raised bed is going to be well over $200 when it is done for wood, dirt, seeds, etc. But next year we will only have to pay for seeds so I just need to keep reminding myself of that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#ff80ff;">Rorie learned to ride a two-wheel bike. I am so proud of her and she loves it. She used a balance bike for the last 9 months (a bike with no pedals) and this weekend we traded it with a friend for a “tip over pedal bike” (this is what Rorie calls it). She did great and is riding (with no training wheels) at the age of 3.5. I would highly suggest the balance bike to parents of toddlers, it is a great way to learn! </span></p><p><span style="font-size:+0;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYH_WV8RI/AAAAAAAAARM/cDufWOgRvjs/s1600-h/112_0651%5B5%5D.jpg"><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#00ffff;"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="112_0651" border="0" alt="112_0651" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYILkxWkI/AAAAAAAAARQ/m3QseLE8iDQ/112_0651_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></span></a><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#ff80ff;">Rorie with her new bike in front of the dirt that is going in our new Raised Bed garden!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#0080ff;">What did I do that was sustainable? Well I finally started to bring not just grocery bags to the store but also produce bags. I am storing a few produce bags in my reusable grocery bags so I remember to bring them back to the store and reuse them. <span style="color:#ff8040;">Oh and it was pizza night at our house for dinner. Yummy, homemade dough and we all had different pizzas with lots of leftovers for tomorrow night! </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#0080ff;"><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#ff8040;">I had Caramelized Onion Prosciutto Pizza: </span><a title="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/caramelized-onion-prosciutto-pizza/" href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/caramelized-onion-prosciutto-pizza/"><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/caramelized-onion-prosciutto-pizza/</span></a></span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYIWM5-7I/AAAAAAAAARU/b8o6Csp8pUk/s1600-h/112_0615%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="112_0615" border="0" alt="112_0615" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TKAYIlMqpvI/AAAAAAAAARY/C4IX72znQdE/112_0615_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></a> <span style="color:#ff80ff;">Rorie got to make her own!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:KaiTi;font-size:130%;color:#8000ff;">Check back later this week for a give away with <a href="http://www.ecomom.com/">www.ecomom.com</a> and a review of Smartypants vitamins <a href="http://www.wearesmartypants.com/">www.wearesmartypants.com/</a>! </span></p>SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811933889576426520.post-70391969620410393462010-09-21T21:39:00.001-07:002010-09-21T21:39:15.652-07:00Alternative Medicine????<p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">I wanted to write a quick post about Leo’s visits to the Chiropractor/Cranial Sacral therapist (she does both). <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TJmIa2jVTaI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/9nD-c6UcQrY/s1600-h/DSC02088%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC02088" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="168" alt="DSC02088" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TJmIbUH91nI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/VRLS_Ao5VnM/DSC02088_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" align="right" border="0"></a></font></p> <p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">Ear Infections: In the middle of July after many days of swimming, several plane rides and contracting the flu. Little Leo had a fever for about 4 days so I took him to the doctor and she said he had a double ear infection and needed antibiotics. I protested but the doctor won after explaining possible consequences of not medicating. Also I had to consider myself lucky that this was our first round of the dreaded pink stuff (amoxicillin) for Leo who is 18 months and Rorie has never had it. </font></p> <p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">So we did a 10 day round of amoxicillin which I can not say that Leo consumed the right amount of everyday but I can say that we tried our best (he truly hated the stuff). He got better and we were all sleeping good again. Until a week later when we went swimming again. He presumably (as we never went back to the doctor) got a second ear infection and was up all night literally screaming or nursing. </font></p> <p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">I wanted nothing to do with another round of antibiotics so I decided to try the alternative rout and found Dr. Lynn a Chiropractor/Cranial Sacral therapist where we live that specializes in babies and children. We began seeing her in early August and where as it was not an immediate fix I can say that Leo has beat the reoccurring ear infections and that he is healthier than he has been most of his childhood now 1.5 months later! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TJmIcH6vVvI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/036sxsfKzb4/s1600-h/DSC01973%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="DSC01973" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="DSC01973" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RWH1-BbIPVE/TJmIcYI1e1I/AAAAAAAAARA/DSmhD0h2Q5c/DSC01973_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" align="left" border="0"></a> </font></p> <p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">He loves seeing Dr. Lynn she is great with him and he completely calms when she is working on him and signs “more” after she is finished. Leo has been congested most of his life and after seeing Dr. Lynn he no longer has a constant snotty nose! We are going to continue to see her for healthy maintance every few months or as needed. </font></p> <p><font face="Vrinda" color="#008080" size="4">You can find Dr. Lynn and read more about her work with babies and children at <a title="http://www.gernerchiropractic.com/index.html" href="http://www.gernerchiropractic.com">www.gernerchiropractic.com</a>.</font></p> <p><em><font size="2"><font face="Vrinda" color="#80ffff">I am writing this just to share our experience with chiropractic care we have not been compensated in anyway. </font></font></em></p> SustainableMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05193397596448367154noreply@blogger.com1