Making A Home And Family

Somewhere along the way in BlogLand, I began following Sara’s blog.  I read about her rvs, houses, babies, simplifying, dreads, photography, and traveling around.  She became an inspiration to me to live simpler, travel to see the world, see the beauty all around us, and her dreads were just AWESOME.

I tried dreads once before as some of you may remember.  They didn’t turn out as I wanted them to because, frankly, I didn’t have enough information to take care of them correctly.  They all stuck together and they got greasy.  Since I wasn’t happy after 7 months, I took them out.

I still longed for dreads though.  I cut my hair thinking it would be less maintenance, but I ended up unhappy with that too.   Then Sara and her family were in the AZ area, and traveling near by on their way to TX.  Imagine my excitement when they came to visit for Sara to put in my dreads.

I’m lovin’ them!  I wake up and my hair is done.  No fretting, no styling, no products - the hair is in charge.  I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet Sara and her family, to get dreads, and to get another dose of inspiration to keep me asking what’s next in my journey?

For more Gratituesdays, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

• Sunday - B: Bacon and eggs L: Homemade veggie soup and crackers D: Burgers with sauteed mushrooms and onions and homemade fries
• Monday - B: Smoothies L: Veggie nachos D: Mac ‘n Cheese from The Kind Diet
• Tuesday - B: Cereal L: Veggie wraps D: Tacos
• Wednesday - B: Smoothies L: Soup and crackers D: Bean stew and homemade cornbread
• Thursday - B: Egg sandwiches L: Raw broccoli salad D: Curried cauliflower and chickpea stew
• Friday - B: Cereal L: Homemade veggie sushi D: Leftovers/clean out the pantry
• For more meal plan ideas, visit The Org Junkie
• Saturday - B: L: D:

If you are looking for free information on health, relationships, money and so much more be sure to sign up for the W.I.S.H Summit.  It’s THREE full weeks of speakers that include David Wolfe, Jules Dervaes, and Victoria Boutenko.

This will be something I schedule into my day, not only as a treat for me to lift my spirits but as an inspiration to keep learning about health, parenting, and relationships so I can become a better wife, mother, and fellow keeper of this planet.

For more Frugal Friday, visit Life as Mom.

• Breakfasts ~ Eggs, smoothies, cereal with fruit
• Saturday: L: Whole Foods Cafe while shopping  D: Mushroom burgers with cheddar goat cheese, homemade fries, and steamed broccoli
• Sunday:  L: Veggie wraps  D: Feast with friends (salad, soup, kelp noodles, quinoa and veggies, salmon, almond flour cookies
• Monday: L: Veggie wraps  D: Anniversary dinner of Copycat Recipe of Applebee’s Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl and raw pie
• Tuesday:  L: Nachos  D: Bean tacos
• Wednesday:  L: Soup and crackers  D: Stirfry
• Thursday:  L: KA Orzo  D: The Kind Life’s Mac ‘N Cheese
• Friday:  L: Leftover buffet  D:  Bean Stew or Lasagna
• For more meal ideas, visit Org Junkie!

Do you all remember this post about The Natural Parenting Center - Parenting Challenge?  I am avid follower of the NPC blog, a student of conscious parenting, and when I saw the contest at SouleMama’s blog I entered.  I wished I would win, but signed up and didn’t think of it anymore.  Until…..I got an email this morning that read, “Congratulations! You’ve won a spot in the Natural Parenting Center teleclass Empathy and Parenting, hosted as a giveaway on SouleMama this weekend.”Yay!  Yay!  Yay!

I can tell there is a big change awaiting my family, but I am unsure of what exactly it is.  I know in a few short months, the lease on our rental house in Arizona will be up and we will be headed back north.  We are manifesting many things before then - our house to sell, to find land with the home of our dreams, and for DH to have the income to support those goals.

Last night, I laid in bed for hours pondering, manifesting, wondering what is going to happen for us next. Where we will live. What our community will have - co-op, like-minded folks, homeschooling groups, LLL, and things of that nature. Will we be able to find what we want close to family.

I do know that change is upon us. Big change. I can feel it. For tonight, I am leaving my dreams out on the blogosphere and into the Universe because anymore wondering on my part won’t get me anywhere.

Change is inevitable and for that I am grateful.

For other Gratituesday posts, please visit Heavenly Homemakers.

• Sunday ~ Lunch: At the co-op  Dinner: Fettucine with broccoli and waldorf pudding with apples to dip
• Monday ~ Lunch: Soup with veggies and crackers  Dinner: Mini pizzas
• Tuesday ~ Lunch: Tuna salad  Dinner: Nachoes
• Wednesday ~ Lunch: Leftovers  Dinner: Burgers, green beans, diced potatoes
• Thursday ~ Lunch: BLTs  Dinner: Chili
• Friday ~ Lunch: Leftovers  Dinner: Breakfast (eggs, hashbrowns, sausage links)
• Saturday ~ Lunch:  Faux BLTS (avacado, tomato, lettuce)  Dinner: Spaghetti and garlic toast
• For more meal ideas, visit The Org Junkie.

Big meal plans this week because my family is visiting our house in Arizona from Michigan and it’s V’s FIRST BIRTHDAY on Thursday.

• Breakfasts: Smoothies, fresh squeezed oj, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, cereal
• Monday
• L:  Soup and sandwiches
• D: Chicken breasts, appetizers, corn
• Tuesday
• L: Leftovers
• D:  Sloppy joes, boiled potatoes, green beans
• Wednesday
• L: Leftovers, salads, or hot dogs
• D: Chili
• Thursday
• L: Tacos
• D:  Rustic pasta, cake, and raw mousse for V’s FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY
• Friday
• L: Burger and chips
• D:  Spaghetti and meatballs
• For more meal plan ideas, visit The Org Junkie.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/2 c sugar
• 2 T agave (or maple syrup)
• 1 mashed banana (or 1/4 cup applesauce)
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 c rolled oats
• 1/2 c raisins

Directions

• Heat oven to 350*
• Combine flour, salt, and cinnamon to set aside
• In another bowl combine sugar, agave, vanilla, oil, and banana
• Combine both bowls of ingredients and add oatmeal and raisins
• Form balls of dough with your hand (about a tablespoon worth) and bake 12-14 minutes.

Enjoy!

There is a great blog at The Natural Parenting website that goes beyond attachment parenting onto conscious parenting.  Really being in the moment and aware of what you are feeling before just reacting to your child.  Listening to their needs and wants before judging or making them do something for the sake of making you feel more comfortable.

Kris is doing a parenting challenge, and it has really worked for me.  I am not a perfect parent and my old habits creep in, but I am aware of them now and awareness is the first step in change.  Check out the challenge, it may help you too!

For more, WFMW visit We Are That Family.