This was shared on the mnmlist, and I love it!  Well, because… I love tea.

Tea.

Tea is a an act complete in its simplicity.

When I drink tea, there is only me, and the tea.

The rest of the world dissolves.

There are no worries about the future.

No dwelling on past mistakes.

Tea is simple: loose-leaf tea, hot pure water, a cup.

I inhale the scent, tiny delicate pieces of the tea floating above the cup.

I drink the tea, the essence of the leaves becoming a part of me.

I am informed by the tea, changed.

This is the act of life, in one pure moment, and in this act the truth of the world suddenly becomes revealed: all the complexity, pain, drama of life is a pretense, invented in our minds for no good purpose.

There is only the tea, and me, converging.

Thich Nhat Hanh: Tea Ceremony

I can’t believe it’s August… my baby boy will be here in October!  Cue crazy nesting instincts… upon moving anxiety!  It’s time to get serious and meal plan and FREEZE some of those meals before it’s too late.

The sides I am being flexible with this month as there is so much fresh produce to be had.  It will depend on what’s at the farm stands and coming out of the garden.

1-Grilled burgers and fries

2-Cheeseburger meatballs and veggies (freeze)

3-Homemade pizza

4-Chicken pesto

5-Chili and homemade bread (freeze)

6-Out/leftovers

7-Veggie spaghetti

8-Meatcups and veggies (freeze)

9-Out/leftovers/breakfast for dinner

10-Shepard’s Pie

11-Chicken curry in the crockpot (freeze)

12-Homemade pizza

13-Lasagna (freeze)

14-Out/leftovers

15-Goulash (freeze)

16-Homemade veggie mac and cheese

17-Enchiladas (freeze) with chips and guac

18-Sloppy joes (freeze)

19-BBQ chicken in the crockpot (freeze)

20-Gluten free fish sticks

21-Pulled pork sandwiches (freeze)

22-Spaghetti

23-Chicken quesadillas (tentative moving date)

24-BLTs and soup

25-Out/leftovers

26-Homemade pizza

27-Fettucine alfredo with broccoli

28-Hot dogs and baked beans

29-Pork roast in the crockpot (freeze leftovers)

30-Grilled chicken

31-Out/leftovers

Breakfast ideas:

Crustless quice

Bacon and egg muffins

GF pancakes

Smoothies

Toast

Eggs – boiled, scrambled, fried

Homemade granola

Lunch ideas:

Salads

Wraps

Sandwiches

Hot dogs

Tuna salad

Leftovers

Deviled eggs

For more meal ideas, visit The Org Junkie!

I know it’s been awhile, but with our move and the holidays we were just kind of winging meals.  It was a mistake and we felt like we weren’t eating as well or being nourished like we should be.  I’m back on track with planning, and the cupboards are stocked.  Here’s our menu for the week!

Monday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Tuna salad  D: Sweet potato burritos

Tuesday~ B: Cereal and fresh juice  L: Turkey sandwich and fruit  D: Asparagus soup, homemade bread, and salad

Wednesday~ B: Banana bread L: Leftovers  D: Venison roast, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies

Thursday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers  D: Veggie fried rice and wontons

Friday~ B: Veggie scramble  L: Avacado roll ups  D: Chili and homemade bread

Saturday~ B: Smoothie and toast  L: Leftovers D: Spaghetti with steamed broccoli

Sunday~ B: Bacon and eggs  L: Leftovers  D: Veggie pizza

For more meal plan ideas, be sure to visit The Organizing Junkie.

We just recently started taking Val to a new chiropractor (who I can’t say enough good about), and I asked her about references for vaccinations. She said she just received this book, but was willing to loan it to me. How cool is that?

I am just through the preface and introduction, and I can’t wait to delve into the deeper information. It looks like it will be a good read – the book is set up in sections based on each illness. Sharing causes, symptoms, vaccine safety and efficacy data, 1,000s of citations, and many visual representations.

It seems like the kind of book I would like to purchase and keep on my shelf for reference. If you have questions about vaccinations or wonder about vaccinating your own child(ren), this may be the book you’ve been looking for.

Since a new baby arrived in our family last week, our meal plan was a little out of whack.  We ate a little less big meals and went out once, so you may see some repeats.

We did, however; stock up on groceries so you will see some new meals popping into the menu as well.

Breakfasts ~ Smoothies, juices, toast, hot/cold cereal, eggs, toads in a hole, french toast

Monday~ L: Hot dogs  D: Shrimp stirfry

Tuesday~  L: Boiled eggs, nuts, fruit  D: Enchiladas and green beans on the side

Wednesday~ L: Leftovers  D: Rustic pasta, garlic toast, and broccoli

Thursday~  L: Leftovers  D: Tex mex quinoa and tortilla chips

Friday~  L: Leftovers with cauliflower  D: Hamburgers with homemade buns, fries, and ice cream sundaes

Saturday~  L: BLTs  D: Thai

Sunday~  L: Leftovers  D:  Tacos

For more meal ideas from awesome ladies, visit The Organizing Junkie!

Breakfasts ~ Smoothies, eggs, toast, hot/cold cereal with homemade almond milk, with a big Sunday breakfast (eggs or french toast with bacon)

Monday~ L: Out or packing a lunch since we’ll be out of town  D: Meatloaf cups, mashed potatoes, peas

Tuesday~ L: Tortellini soup and salad  D:  Pepperoni pizza with broccoli on the side

Wednesday~ L: Tuna salad and any leftovers  D:  Spaghetti with salad

Thursday~ L: Leftovers  D: Tacos

Friday~  L:  Leftovers or egg salad sandwiches  D: Veggie pizza

Saturday~  L: Orzo pasta and boiled eggs  D: Enchiladas with homemade sauce

Sunday~  L: Leftovers and/or tuna melts  D: Steaks, corn on the cob, and diced baked and herbed potatoes

For more meal ideas – check out The Organizing Junkie!

Have I mentioned that our summer has been busy?  We have spent a lot of time “up north,” spent time with friends and family, and had time to play as well.  What a great summer it has been!  So if you see me slacking on the ole blog, it’s because I’m outside and trying to stay above water with my chores.

Monday~ L: Out to lunch  D: Stir fry and fridge clean out

Tuesday~  L: PB & Js  D:  Chicken, rice, and corn

Wednesday~  L:  Hamburgers  D:  Pedro’s Special

Thursday~ L:  Leftovers  D:  Lentil and veggie stew

Friday~  L: Leftovers  D:  Pizza

Saturday~ L: Curry  D:  Crockpot bean dish

Visit Organizing Junkie for more meal plans!

I thought I’d share some wonderful reads with all of you ~

A Note on Relationships – From The Middle Finger Project.

Everywhere – The little moments in parenting that are amazing and they are everywhere.

Taking It In – Being real with your emotions and your children.

Dreadlock Inspiration – Rockin’ dreads with curls at the ends like mine.

What blogs or articles are you reading that you’d like to share?

Monday – B: Sautéed apples and scrambled eggs  L: Sweet potatoes from The Kind Diet  D: Ragout

Tuesday – B: Chai muffins L: Fried Rice  D: Healing Soup from the Kind Diet

Wednesday – B: Smoothies  L:  Leftovers  D:  Dinner with friends

Thursday – B:  Cereal  L:  Egg salad sandwiches  D: Burgers and fries

Friday – B: Boiled eggs and fruit  L: Black beans and rice from Nourishing Traditions  D: Pizza

Saturday – B: Smoothies  L:  Soup and crackers  D: Tacos

Sunday – B: Bacon and eggs  L: Tuna salad  D: Chili

For more meal plan Monday ideas, visit The Organizing Junkie.

a Happy Mother’s Day from Making a Home and Family!

V came into my life a little over a year ago and continues to bless me and make me a better person each passing day.  I hope that your day is filled with smiles, laughter, and time spent together as a family.

Much love!