It's ok to be hungry.

As mentioned a multitude of times, my kids eat.  And would eat all day if I let them.  One day as I was cleaning up an hour after breakfast, which is an hour before snack time (don't misunderstand - it involved 2 bowls of oatmeal each, a muffin, some fruit and possibly some eggs) my kids thought "go play in the playroom" meant, "go rummage through the pantry."  So I stopped and asked Luke what exactly he was doing in the pantry which of course led to, "because I am so hungry!  I just want to eat something right this minute!"  And I thought to myself, for heaven's sake it is ok to feel hungry!!!  

And lately as phrases like, "I'm staaaaarrvvvinnnngg", and, "I am so hungry!" start to appear within just moments of finishing a meal, I've had to step back and really process how I'm supposed - correction - WANT to respond.  

We live in a life of overindulgence.  A day filled with more, more, more.  America is the second most obese country in the world. We are given a hand full of options for every meal and those in between, while some are begging for just a hand full of food for their entire family that day.  And it causes me to pause; to wonder; aside from developing poor eating habits, it causes me to assess what I'm teaching my children.  I don't want to feed the lie that they always need more.  Or make them oblivious to the multitudes around us who are living with far less.  We teach them to give to those in need, to help feed the hungry, but I have to confess.  Do they even now what true hunger is?

I have read excerpts from a book titled, French Kids Eat, which speaks in detail on this topic of snacking all day.  Feeling that we can't ever let our children feel hunger.  I'm hoping to take time to finish the book this Christmas, but in the mean time you can take a read and let me know what you think :)

Another "cries of hunger" moment for my kids some time after my revelation of being ok with hunger in our home (who am I kidding, it was probably 5 minutes after they wandered into the playroom) I finally decided to just say it.  "It's ok!  To be hungry!"  And much to my surprise...it ended it with Luke.  And that was that.  

So next time when I tell them its another 30 minutes until our 9:30am snack time, or that they might have to wait another 15 minutes for dinner... I will also remind them that sometimes, it's ok....to be hungry.  

*disclaimer: I feed my children.  Very well.  I do not starve them.  And this is not an endorsement for the book, French Kids Eat.  

Family favorite

Often times I get the idea to blog.  You know, sit down an write a post start to finish.  And then after the flood of ideas and wondering where to start I realize that there is not a single thought in my head that make a coherent sentence by the time I actually have the time to SIT DOWN and write a single blog post.  True story.  You would be astonished at how long it took me to write the above three sentences which are more than likely grammatically INcorrect.

But hey, since we are on a roll....

You know what I love?  Food.  You know what I love more?  Chocolate.  That's true, but not where I was going with this.....

I love blessing those whom I love with food.  One of the most satisfying things for me is to get up early before my family (which lets be honest.. It's a pretty rare occurrence since I have a 3 1/2 yr old 5 am wake up call) to feed them a warm meal.  

Side note: have we mentioned I have 2 small boys and 1 large boy who eat us out of house. and. home.  So praise the dear LORD these children of mine love oatmeal.  No, but really.  They do.  By the bowls full.  Especially when it is stuffed with fresh peaches, warm cream and a tad bit of vanilla.  

Back to warm breakfasts.  This summer a favorite was fresh peaches n' cream oatmeal.  I don't like oatmeal, as its not generally something associated with chocolate, but if I did I am confident I would love this combo.  At other favorite is homemade pop tarts.  Sounds scary, but it's not so bad.  I will share the recipe soon.  But seeing as we are halfway through this glorious North Carolina fall, I'm going to share with you a family favorite from my favorite cookbook at the moment, Deliciously Organic.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins, by Deliciously Organic

4tbsp unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 1/3 cups whole cane sugar or Sucanat

1/2 cup puréed pumpkin

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (we love King Arthur)

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/3 cup whole buttermilk

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional-but so good!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In mixer bowl, beat together butter, coconut oil, and sugar on medium-high speed for about two minutes.  Turn mixer to low and add the pumpkin.  Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.  Mix in vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a large bowl.  With the mixer on low, add half of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the buttermilk.  Repeat process and mix until just combined.  Fold in pecans.  Spoon batter into oiled muffin cups until 3/4 full.  Bake 23-25 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool for 5 minutes before serving.  

And that's that!  This recipe makes 16 muffins.  We usually double and freeze for another day.  Check out the freeze post for an interesting twist on fresh muffins!!

Freedom

Freedom.

This week my [not so baby] baby, Luke, was finally of age to attend a local VBS.  Or Kids Week, as they call it.  Selfishly, I was thrilled.  I thought he might like it, but I knew I would love it.  A little freedom to do what I wanted to do at the house while Everett took a morning nap.  Or a little more freedom at the grocery store only worrying about one child instead of 2; Freedom to drink my [overpriced] coffee beverage while Everett slept in the car.

Our overly sensitive (though wonderfully made, says the Psalms) and super introverted 3 year old needed a lot of prep work before being sent off for 2 hours each morning.  He likes to know whats coming, what to expect.  He hates large crowds, he hates the unknown, loud things make him cry and very nervous... so this was going to be a stretch.  But he has a love for all music, art and games.  We went into this knowing it would be a stretch for him, but prayerfully a good stretch.

Monday went ok, though he sobbed when I left.  I nervously kept my phone on loud and with me for all 2 hours and 2 minutes I was away (let's be honest.  I spent half of that time in the church parking lot anxiously chomping at the bit to get my boy) hoping I didn't get a call saying he needed to come home. No phone call.  Win!  The next day, after a lot of prep work he didn't shed a tear and happily nervously waved goodbye.  Day 3, complete exhausted and totally over this whole Kids Week business.  And dropping him off was oh so hard.  I second guessed myself, wondered if it was really worth it, why on earth am I forcing him to do this?  But a friend sweetly reminded me, the gospel is for all people introverted or not.  And community is something God desires so deeply for us.  So even though he is 3 and even though he does well with one on one, there will come a day when he must be ok with people.  And starting now isn't going to hurt him and the people at this church so desperately give of themselves to love on my boy each day.  SO.  We pushed through.  And prayed through.  Oh God, would you please use this to show yourself to my big guy!  Would you comfort him?  Would you show him that he can do this?  Would you help him understand that when he is sad, YOU can bring him joy?  Show him he can talk to you all the time, please, Lord?  These are the prayers we prayed often with and without Luke.  Luke was a dancing fool that day when I came to him.  During the music he was so free and uninhibited.  I cried.  I saw victory.  I saw a sweet answer to prayer.  On the way home, he sweetly and sheepishly said, "Mommy.  God helped me be ok today and have a good time."  OH sweet Jesus, thank you.  Thank you for giving him a glimpse of your goodness.  Thank you....  Day 4, again a lot of prep work and even staying a little bit in the beginning to keep him calm and leave him on a good note. But he did it.  I did it.  And when I came to get him oh my heavens I nearly fell over in sweet praise for the confidence and freedom Luke found.  It may seem so small, but for us its not.  Kids Week was the antithesis of every fiber of his being.  Loud. A mascot.  Lots of screaming.  No one he knew.  But God was so good.  And while I wanted freedom this week, freedom for just a couple hours each morning...God has such greater plans in revealing true freedom to our family.  I hope and pray that in the way he found freedom to break dance and boogie and lift his hands in worship will stick with him.  "It is for freedom that Christ has set you free...Galations 5:1"

Here are my very favorite quotes from Luke this week that show the evolution of his heart this week....

"I like my Sunday School class better.  There aren't as many people."
"Today is Tuesday!  Only 3 more days of camp and then I never have to go back!"
"Today is Wednesday, Mommy!  Only 2 more days of camp and then I never have to go back!  Wait, is there camp in the fall?  Does fall time end?  And then summer again?  Oh.  Do I have to go back next summer?"
"Mommy.  God really helped me have a good time today.  He gave me comfort."
"Mommy, did you know God loves us all the way down to our toes?"
"Today is our pizza party and then no more camp!  But there will be camp next summer, right?  I think I'll go back."

Preschool Pressure

Luke is almost 3.  Almost meaning 2 more months and my baby is 3.  Many exciting things come with the age three.  Preschool time at the library (as opposed to toddler time) cooking class at the museum, non-parent-involved gymnastics classes.....  And preschool registration.  As I have been researching preschools in our area I am overwhelmed.  I am stressed.  I am anxious at the mere thought - self induced - of standing in line to try and "win" a spot for the class I want.  And as I thought through these things more and more I was overwhelmed with the pressures of preschool.

Among moms there is this underlying sense of pressure.  Expectations.  Longing for right of approval.  Unfortunately I fall guilty of judging or thinking less of others based on their parenting decisions.  And I know that many decisions I have made have brought judgment opon myself.  Cloth diapers?  When did you start solids?  How long did you breast feed?  You gave your child WHAT kind of milk at WHAT age?!  You give your child store bought baby food?  Natural birth vs the alternatives.  You do Babywise (or don't??)?   You let your child sleep with you?  And on. And on. And on.  Spank?  Santa? Elf on th shelf?  Oh you went back to work?  More recently for us - and more piercing, honestly, "What preschool does he go to?"  "Is he going next year?" "Where are you going to try and enroll him?"  "You're thinking of keeping him HOME?!?"  Can I get a a WITNESS?!! Says Peter Rochelle.

And so here I am, confident in decisions I have made (some areas where I feel I should have acted differently, God's grace has already met me there.)in the past with my boys but now there is this.  The decision of preschool or not to preschool is just sitting at my feet.  And I am humbled yet saddened at how much weight I (we) put on what others think.  I want to be passionate about the things Christ was passionate about (which is not cloth diapers or breastfeeding, though they are not bad things and we choose both).  I want to put great weight on the desires of His heart (I can't find sleep schedules in there anywhere...).  I'm not so much interested in making my decisions based on what the national education something or another says I should send my child to preschool for.  I want to listen to the One who is above all. And when I look heavenward I see Christ and His great love for me, his lack of favoritism, always choosing to act justly with love, grace and mercy.   A God who listens to every need, gives freely and hears my pleas for wisdom on how best to love, train and teach Luke at this age.  And most of all.  The freedom in Christ to walk forward with great peace with what is best for our family, according to His word, and this season in this moment.  Which may or may not include me standing in a long line to win the lottery for a 2 day 2 year old preschool class.

So it is with great confidence that I announce.  I am still praying about it.  :).

Tiny Prints. Big Impression.

It's that time of year again: The Christmas card giveaway - but this time it's for me AND you!

Last year we showcased Tiny Prints and it seems they've outdone themselves again.  They just came out with their new Holiday Collection and I must say, it's pretty fabulous.  Whether you're going for traditional, modern, religious to customized they've got you covered with unique designs and top notch quality.  One of my favorite things about Tiny Prints is the ability to narrow down your search by color, style, number of pictures and more.  And what's more?  You can simply tag all of your favorites as your browsing to compare all in one spot.  Genius!

And did I mention customer service??  Last year after I submitted my Christmas card order I received a phone call about half an hour later saying that there was a grammatical error they found.  Then they told me the appropriate grammar and sent me another proof.  To that I say... YES!

I encourage you to check out their special promotions for the Holidays and who knows, maybe YOU will be the lucky winner of the $50 GIVEAWAY!  (Just remember to "like" the facebook post that got you here no later than November 19).

Without much further ado, here are a few of my favorites from this years' collection:

**This is a sponsored post by Tinyprints.com

A Challenge

As recently posted on my reading list, Kisses From Katie is at the top of my list of favorites right now.  With every page I wanted to be there, with her, loving on the babies, feeding the hungry, aiding the sick and needy.  But right now I know my mission is with Billy and it begins at 5:00 each morning with our two little ones.  I know and pray that our mission at home and community is of eternal value.  And I am thankful for the calling.  But while we eat out every other weekend, stop at Starbucks on the way to the library each Tuesday, or buy new shirts just because they're on sale, I can't help but feel a call and challenge to do something for the people there even though we are still here.

Billy and I have felt a responsibility to care for some of these children, though hours and hours away.  There are many ways to do this, with organizations such as Compassion International who offer many different countries and age groups to give to.  Billy chose a child with each of our boy's birth date to start supporting.  Personally, my heart has been drawn to Katie, author of Kisses From Katie, who has started a non-profit organization (Amazima) that is feeding and caring for hundreds of orphans and widows.  She started out just caring for one.  It has turned into over 600 children.  To sponsor a child in Uganda via Amazima ministries is $25/month.  This gives them a fighting chance.  This gives them an education, 3 meals a day, a uniform and school supplies, medical care, and arms to love and disciple them.  When I asked Billy last night where he thought we should give and how much, he asked me how many children need to be sponsored for school and meals through Amazima.  I knew where his mind was going.  He's an all or nothing kind of guy and his heart aches for the orphan and the hungry.  Give big or go home.  I told him the ministry helps over 600 children.  You can do the math.

In case you all were wondering we do not have $15,000 on hand.

Billy's response?  "We don't have $15,000.  You should find a way to get enough people to sponsor 600 children."  I love him.

So this is my challenge.  To overwhelm Amazima Ministries with financial support.  To let them know that here, in North Carolina, we care and we are for what they're doing.  To make sure that those 600 and MORE children are being fed, clothed, and educated.  To help feed the poverty stricken village of Masese, where 1600 orphaned children rely on Amazima's food every week day.  84 people visited my blog today.  I wonder if those 84 would be willing to sacrifice $25/month.  A couple new shirts, a few trips to your favorite restaurant.  Or maybe one trip to your favorite restaurant.  One less outing to the movies.  One less upgrade on your phone or digital cable.  And then I wonder if those 84 would be willing to share this link with their friends.  The average facebook user has 130 friends (that was based on a google search...forgive me if I'm incorrect).  Can you imagine how quickly 600 children would be cared for if we spread the word??  What would it look like to give enough for the ministry to sponsor even more than 600 children?  What would it look like to overwhelm Amazima with enough money to feed Masese each month?  It would look like the hands and feet of Jesus.

For more information please visit the website, Amazima.org; read her book, Kisses From Katie; read her blog, http://www.amazimaministries.blogspot.com.

And please, PLEASE, spread the word.

Week 1 of Real Food = Real Changes

As you may recall, this was our first week of "Real Food" changes.  It's been an adjustment but I would have to say that this week qualifies as a SUCCESS! I used Lisa's free menu/grocery list/recipe list to give us a good starting point.  Please note: she feeds a family of 4 which includes her two daughters.  I don't know how much they eat, but my 2 year old son ate 12 shrimp for the main course of his dinner tonight... 3 courses (as she usually suggests for her meals) do not fill my boys so I added a few all-veggie sides as needed.

I cannot believe that in one month Everett will be ready (if I am...) to begin solids.  SO. MUCH. FOOD.  I digress... 

So, her meal plans (found upon "liking" on her facebook page) included links to everything we needed for the week.   I've linked each recipe so you can try it out yourself!  Here's my personal opinion on some of the things we tried:

Granola - 

We didn't actually try this...  I so wanted to and got everything off of her grocery list but when I got home to look at the recipe I was missing ingredients???  So we didn't get to try it but it's on my list of things to try this week.  With all the ingredients ;)

Whole Wheat Muffins - 

Whole wheat is a shock to us.  It is definitely an "acquired" taste.  I wish I would have used a pastry whole-wheat flour instead of your regular, hearty, whole wheat flour.  I think my muffins were a little tough but I can't wait to try them again.  Here's what I love about them:  Mix in pretty much whatever filling you'd like to make a variety for the week.  THEN, freeze 1/2 of them to keep for another week.  Our varieties included 1) apple butter, 2) strawberry and 3) cinnamon/raisin/walnut.  I think it was a fun mix-up.  The bittersweet thing about making everything home-made with no preservatives is that they don't keep as long.  Good: you know your ingredients are fresh and real.  Bad: they spoil much more quickly.  I made the muffins Sunday and on Wednesday there was one molding next to the muffins we purchased at Kroger 2 weeks earlier that were still perfectly in tact.  Yikes.  Note to self: store them in the fridge for the week.  

(Muffins getting ready to go in the oven)

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes-

I should have known better going into this recipe.  Luke loves bananas but doesn't really like them cooked in anything.  This is also true of these pancakes.  I thought they were really yummy and very filling.  They cooked a little differently but after the first few we had the hang of it.  We even used real maple syrup and while it tasted vastly different than what we were previously using - we looked at the label and it said, "Less than 2% maple syrup."  You can guess what other syrups made up the other 98%......... - we loved the taste.

Vegetarian Fajitas - 

I love the phrase she uses, "Flexitarian," to describe their family's eating habits.  They're not vegetarians but they also don't eat meat every night.  This recipe didn't call for any meat but I had a leftover chicken breast that needed to be used so I threw it in there to add extra protein for the boys.  These were DELISH and actually called for HOMEMADE WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS.  Sounds crazy, a little.  But since whole wheat is a little hard to get used to I figured homemade is always better anyways so why not go for it?  The recipe was super easy and Luke loved "helping" me roll out each tortilla.  They were de-lish!  Billy actually liked them as well and we all had plenty to eat.  Winner!

Egg Salad - 

This is your pretty standard egg salad recipe.  Unfortunately Everett's belly still can't handle eggs like this so this was just for Billy's lunches a couple times.  

Jambalaya - 

Again, pretty standard but SO delicious!  I forgot to buy shrimp earlier in the week so I quickly ran out with both babies in tow and picked up some frozen shrimp (big no no in Lisa's challenge) but it worked for us and it was oh so yummy.  It made plenty to freeze and use for another meal.  This is a huge win in my book.  

ICE CREAM!!!!!!-

Excited much?  Coming from the girl who has had to give up her main food group for 12 months, this was beyond the highlight of my week.  Maybe not.  But it is pretty high up there.  As I was browsing on the 100daysofrealfood.com website I stumbled across her recommendation of deliciouslyorganic.com who HAPPENED to have a recipe on the front page of the website for DAIRY FREE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM.  Hot diggity dog!  You better believe I went out that day and picked up all (FOUR) ingredients to make this.  And boy did it deliver.  SO easy to make, only 4 ingredients and heaaaaaaavenly.  

Power Balls -

I have been racking my brain to try and come up with a more delicious name for these delightful treats but I'm not much for creativity with words.  Again, another incredibly easy recipe with only 5 ingredients and took maybe 20 minutes to whip up.  We rolled ours in coconut and they were like eating a Mound or Almond Joy.  Yummmmmm-oooo.