Who are you?

I can see you!   Yes I know who looks at my blog and doesn't leave comments....ha ha. Just kidding. I don't know who you are, but I can see on my stats the views, where they are from, what operating system they use, etc.   I've been wondering lately who are the people from Malaysia, Germany, Russia, Latvia, UK, Poland, Switzerland, and Slovenia looking at my blog? I'm not super techie, but are they creeps or just people who want to know about the baseball themed birthday party? It has made me start thinking about going private.   What should I do? I don't want any creepies looking at my kids or anything or taking my identity. No one has said anything, but it still is weird to me.

Forks over Knives

Several months ago my sister-in-law recommended a documentary to me, Forks over Knives. I would like to encourage you to watch it as well.  The the movie examines the claim that most, if not all, diseases that affect us can be either controlled or reversed by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. What is your opinion? If you have netflix, you can watch it free.

My opinion:
I couldn't agree more. I think our culture eats WAY too much animal based products and uses it for fillers in our processed foods. With Christian and his food allergies ,  have been re-examining what I put into my body and my family's. A few years ago I watched another documentary called, Food Inc. I'm sure some of you have seen it as well. I was not able to eat meat for three days upon watching it, but the ideas have stayed with me.
     side note: Maybe I will pursue a second degree in homeopathic nutrition? hmmm.....

I just find these concepts very interesting. God made the things of this earth to eat, but are we over consuming? Do we really need to have milk for breakfast with our bacon and eggs, then deli meat for lunch, with cheese and for dinner, how many chicken breasts do you really need in that casserole? Why has the government allowed such chemicals into our food? Could these chemicals be part of the cause of cancer?

here are the links to the two documentaries I shared with you.

Forks over Knives
Food Inc.

I'm too old for homework

In January I made the decision to go to college. My reason was because Christian and Ashlee were in school full time. There was also very little chance of me getting a decent job for three reasons: I only have a High School education, I have not worked in over eight years, and I am a military spouse. So my thought was while we were stationed here, I would pursue my degree and go back to work.

I began this long journey by enrolling at Ashford University. In July I took a two week break. The way Ashford works is the classes are condensed into five weeks and they do not offer a break until December (for two weeks). I really enjoyed the school, never had a problem. However, I discovered their accreditation was being threatened. Two major factors were; they pushed enrollment of new students so much they went from 10,000 to 90,000 new students in one year. However, their retention rate is only 37% or so. The other factor that leads to possible loss of accreditation is, the instructors to student ratio is completely overwhelmed. Instructors are given, sometimes, 70 students per class, and that does not allow for them to grade and spend adequate time on each student's work. So with all that being said, I decided, since it was early in my education, I would transfer.

I discovered that Liberty University had online degrees. With Christian and all of his appointments and therapies I need online so I can be available to take him. The kids also have no other means of transportation to school and we can not afford after school care. Liberty offered the degree I wanted to pursue (Finance in Business). I actually considered going to Liberty when I wa 15 years old, but the distance and cost was too much.

I am really enjoying the school so far. It has, and still is, taking me some time to get use to the layout, expectations, etc. I also am adjusting to doing two classes at a time rather than one. In fact, by two subterms run together for about two weeks, and I will be doing four classes at once. I don't know how I'm going to survive those two weeks, but I will. Currently I am taking an apologetics class and learning so much about the beliefs and cultures of others and how to defend the Bible. I may make a few posts on something that interested me, and feel free to comment and disagree. I am very curious to hear what others have to say.

So that is what I've been up to lately and why I have not blogged. I miss blogging and I have a few more posts over the next couple of day, so check back peeps!

13.1

I want one of these for my car:

So I am going to run this:

http://www.soldiermarathon.com/home.aspx

I have become really good friends with my neighbor who also enjoys running. I am so happy to have finally found a workout buddy and a running partner, it only took one year. She mentioned one day that she wanted to run a half-marathon. I was suppose to fly back to Seattle and do one back in June but finances and my knees prevented me from doing so. I have started taking supplements and vitamins and my knees are better, so I decided it was time to do it! I'm excited and scared. I have never ran more than an 8k, but the other day I ran 7 miles and 6 the week before that. It seems achievable now, and I cannot wait to finish. Maybe next with be a full marathon? We'll see...baby steps.

DIY Laundry Soap

I have been trying to think of different ways to save money lately. Extreme Couponing:   I really don't have the time, nor do I have the desire to have 30 cans of something I will never eat just because it was a great deal. So I thought I would try to make my own laundry soap. The recipe I used is from this website, and I challenge you to try it as well. It seriously took me 15 minutes to make. It is so easy and the website author calculated the cost per load which is amazing savings! Please comment if you do try it and what your thoughts are.

I have an HE washing machine and after research what others said, this soap is safe.

HE soap is just low sudsing, and this is as well.  

What you will need:
Borax and Washing Soda (both can be found in the laundry isle at Walmart)
 

 

Fels Naptha ( I found next to the borax and washing soda) or Ivory



 

**Optional **
Gain refresher. This is something that I added for that ever so coveted Gain smell that I love! Most people like to make this laundry soap for sensitive skin, so this may not be best for you. But if for financial reasons you want to make your own "Gain smelling laundry soap",  I had a great coupon for this product and only used 1/3 Cup.







Now for the directions:

1. Grate the soap (1/2 bar - I used 3/4) and put it into the saucepan. (this is where I also included the 1/3 C of Gain refresher)

2. Add 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap melts

3. Add washing soda and borax. Stir until dissoved. (some people add double the washing soda and borax, but I find the 1/2 C each to work great)

4. Remove from heat.
5. Pur 4 C of hot water in a bucket

6. Add soap mixture and stir

7. Add 1 gallon plus 6 C of water and stir (I added an extra cup since I used 3/4 of the bar soap and not 1/2)

8. Let soap sit for 24 hrs. and it will gel

Use 1/2 C per load





Dairy and Egg free living

When I was told that Christian had a casein allergy, I was so confused on as to what to use for supplemental diary products. You wouldn't believe the amount of food that contain milk in them, until you start reading labels.

We have all cut back on dairy, and we feel much better without it. There is still ice cream in the freezer and cheddar cheese slices in the fridge. But for the most part, we choose the alternative. I'm blogging about this particular allergy to help others who may be searching for dairy/egg alternatives. Hopefully, they won't have to search the internet to the extent I did.

I found this amazing biscuit/pancake mix online. Here's the recipe (I wrote it on the container so I wouldn't have to constantly search for the recipe in my binder). Combine the Flour, baking powder, Sugar, salt and butter in a food processor until blended. Then store in a container in the refrigerator.



On the other side of the container, I wrote out the biscuit and pancake recipe.

Biscuits: I used Almond, or Coconut Milk for the substitution for milk

Pancakes: I used applesauce (1/4C per egg) and Almond,or Coconut Milk substitution.

These are the product must haves for Egg and Dairy Free cooking:

Earth Balance Butter

Flaxseed Meal (as an egg replacer)

Egg Replacer (Ener G brand)

So Delicious Coconut Milk - the vanilla flavor is tastier than the original (my opinion)

Almond Breeze Milk (again, vanilla is our favorite)

 

Stay tuned for more Egg/Dairy free living recipes and tips. I have quite a few of them, but I want you to come back and read =)

Back. to. School

The first day of school was last Thursday (August 9th) for the kids. It is still strange to me that the kids go back to school at the beginning of August. I guess growing up in Montana and then us living in Washington, we always started at the end of August (the last few days) or after Labor Day weekend. However, we were ALL more prepared since there was no moving across country this summer, like we did last year.

Rande and I decided that it was best for the kids to be in the same school. As you know, Christian was removed from his previous school, home schooled (in the interim) and then put into a local private school here in town after winter break. We love the new school and the small class sizes are great for him. Ashlee was excited to attend this year, but a little nervous. Thanks to her big brother the first day was a huge success! They both like their teachers and classes. Christian only has a total of 4 students in his class and Ashlee 11.

The only drawback to the whole situation is the finances. With me in school, trying to pursue my degree, Rande is the only one bringing in income, and the Army isn't exactly the highest paying job. Some how last year God provided miraculously for us. I look back and add the numbers, questioning how in the world we were able to survive? But we did and the tuition was paid every month on time. This year it is a bit more unnerving, but we believe God will be faithful in providing. I just need to stop worrying and trust in him. Your prayers are needed this year and next  - that provisions will be made for us. This school has been a huge help for Christian. At the end of the year last year Christian and I had a conversation in which he told me that he felt like "dirt" before he moved to Westminster, but now he feel like "rich soil". That's a pretty big analogy for a 9/10 year old. God brought us through a storm and we finally saw the light at the end of last year. That doesn't mean that there won't be more storms ahead, but I know now, more than ever, that he is faithful and will continue to guide and provide for us.

Anyways, now that I've ruined my keyboard with my salty tears, here are the infamous "1st day of school pictures".  

2nd grader

5th grader