FabFitFuntastic!!!

In November I noticed a trend on my social media; subscription box reveal videos were every where. The products looked awesome, and who doesn’t like getting surprises in the mail? The answer is no one! So, I decided to put the FabFitFun subscription box on my Christmas wish list.
My dear husband, being the fantastic man he is, decided to give me a YEAR’s subscription to FabFitFun, thus checking off present buying for an entire year. Christmas, Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Anniversary presents all rolled into one! Talk about a man’s dream. 😝
I received some amazing products in my winter FFF box, and it wetted my appetite for the next box- Spring 2018! I checked the forums for sneak peaks. I waited with baited breath for spoilers. Finally, I got an email with some very important dates. 
I couldn’t wait! This made my birthday month even sweeter. I added some products to my box, went through the customization process, and waited (not so patiently) for my box to ship. And waited. And waited. Finally I got my shipment confirmation with a FedEx tracking number, which meant I would be literally watching my box travel across the country. Lucky box!
March 5th was supposed to be the day I got my box, but as I was checking my beautiful box’s status daily (okay sometimes hourly), I noticed that it was set to be delivered by my post office and scheduled to be at said post office three days before my scheduled delivery date. Yes!
I got in my car March 2nd, after seeing that my box had checked in at the post office, drove to my local post office, walked in and headed straight to the front desk. The postal worker that helped me knows me pretty well, and went to check for my box even though he was dubious about it being there. I noticed some searching in the back as he walked from one end of the warehouse to the other. Finally, he came into view carrying my big box! He joked with me about my mail carrier being thankful that I had come in to pick up this large parcel, we said our goodbyes in typical Minnesota fashion, and I proudly drove home with my box tucked safely in the passenger’s seat. We made it home safe and sound- my box was HOME! I couldn’t wait to open the box and see all my goodies. Here’s what I found inside:
If you’d like to get in on the FabFitFun here’s a link that will get FabFitFun $10 off! What a steal!

Teaching Textbooks

This time of year always gets me planning. Planning for our garden, planning for our summer camping, and planning for... next year’s homeschool curriculum. Now, after almost 18 years of “officially” homeschooling, (Really, homeschooling starts when your child is born 😉) we have a LOT of curriculum in our closet ready to pull out for the new school year. I do like to mix things up a bit, though, because what worked for one- or three- of my children, won’t necessarily work for them all. Hence, the planning. 

There is one curriculum, that we have FINALLY found, that I highly recommend to all my homeschooling friends because it works for almost anyone. I was told about this curriculum by several veteran homeschoolers, and I wish I would have heeded their sage advice earlier in my homeschooling journey. What is this amazing curriculum? Teaching Textbooks! 

For those of us who are not particularly math savvy, Teaching Textbooks is a life-saver. It not only teaches the lessons (it’s a cd-rom based curriculum, so your child does his math lessons on the computer.) it also automatically grades the work your child does. If your child gets a problem wrong the program stops them- no more full pages of incorrect answers because you didn’t catch mechanics errors soon enough-  and gives them the option of retrying the problem and even offers them a “hint”. All the grades are stored in the program’s grade book, so giving a math grade is super easy. 

Teaching Textbooks has taken so much stress off of me, as the teacher, and it’s also taken stress off of my children because of the fun and easily navigated format of their math curriculum. They also get instant feedback- no more vying for my help while I am trying to teach another child their science lesson- This curriculum is fantastic! 

40th Birthday Smash!

Turning 40 can either be an adventure or another excuse to hide out with Netflix. I decided, after reading some pretty great advice, that it’s important to see this transition as a good thing- make it fun- and showcase your own personality. Make the day special and you won’t dread it quite so much. After all, getting another year older is a good thing; it means you’re still alive and kicking. 

In light of this philosophy, a friend and I decided to bring in the big day with an adult smash cake session. Think 1st birthday. The result: a hilarious morning spent with my daughter and Mom laughing, snapping pics, and having fun together. 

My 40th birthday now includes my favorite birthday memories! If you love to be goofy and enjoy laughing at yourself, consider throwing your own smash cake session. #makegoodmemories!!

Breakfast Beans

Well, the weather outside is frightful...which means a hearty warm breakfast is a must! Beans are perfect as a cold weather breakfast food. These amazing legumes offer so many benefits when eaten first thing in the morning, but we rarely think of them for breakfast. Eating beans for breakfast helps to stabilize blood sugars all day because they are rich in protien and fiber, which limits sharp rises in glucose and insulin following a meal. This Hearty Bean Breakfast is one of my family's favorite breakfast entree.

Hearty Crockpot Bean Breakfast

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

10 cups water

2 Cups potatoes, peeled and cubed 

1 3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 tsp cumin

2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes

2 Cups Dried Navy Beans

Place all ingredients into crockpot and cook on high for 6-8 hours. Serve plain or over whole grain toast.

Curried tofu recipe

I have been trying to eat more bean products for breakfast. Beans are an amazing source of protien and are high in vitamins and minerals. Eating beans for breakfast also helps your body maintain a consistent blood sugar throughout the day. Here is my recipe for curried tofu, which makes a delicious, untraditional breakfast main dish.

Curried Tofu

1 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil

1 cup onion, chopped

1 tablespoon curry powder, or to taste

1 can unsweetened coconut milk

1 Tablespoon creamy peanut butter

1 package Mori-nu tofu, cubed

1-2 tablespoons soy sauce, or to taste

2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes

Salt to taste

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste.

1 cup cooked wild rice

1 cup cooked quinoa

1. Put oil in a medium sauce pan and turn heat to medium-high. Add onion and sauté until onion is clear. Mix curry powder into the onions and cook for a few seconds. 

2. Wisk together coconut milk and peanut butter. Add mixture to pan. Add tofu, soy sauce and nutritional yeast flakes. Simmer for 15 munites. Add wild rice and quinoa and return to boil. Enjoy!

Once A Month Cooking for March 2012

Several people have asked what my menu looks like using the Once A Month Cooking method. So, by popular demand, here is our March menu.

Menu Ideas for March
Supper
Tofu loaf,Mashed potatoes, Salad
Egg rolls, Broccoli Garlic Delight
Pozole, Indian Fry Bread Tacos
Pizza, Baby Green Salad with Olives 
Spaghetti, Breadsticks, Coleslaw
Cabbage, Potatoes, and Vegetarian Corned Beef
Borsht, Rye bread, Salad 


Lunch
Enchiladas, Taco Salad
Quinoa Salad, Humus and Avocado Sandwiches
Veggie Nuggets, Creamed Cucumber Salad
Buffalo Chick'n Salad, Corn Chowder
Hot Dogs, Coleslaw
Burgers, Cauliflower Poppers
Chicken Nuggets, Coleslaw

Once A Month Cooking: Steps to Success

Once A Month Cooking is a great way to organize your family's meals and it's a real time saver for busy moms, too. I have put together some steps that should help you successfully and easily implement the Once A Month Cooking (OAMC) method in your family.

Step 1: Plan

• Find a babysitter for the kids. If you have an older daughter who would be helpful in the kitchen, ask her to stay and help.
• Find recipes for you menu. Take an inventory of your freezer to see what you already have. Look through your recipe book for tried and true recipes. Ask your family for suggestions. Check out www.onceamonthmom.com for already prepared menu ideas.
• Write out your menu. The Freezer Cooking Manual by 30-day Gourmet has worksheets to make out your menu. http://lifeasmom.com/2010/04/freezer-cooking-planning-a-detailed-approach.html/freezer-cooking-master-plan has free printable worksheets to write out your menu.
• Prepare your grocery list. The Freezer Cooking Manual by 30-day Gourmet has a wonderful spreadsheet to assist in making out a grocery list.

Step 2: Prepare

• Shop. Make sure you purchase everything you will need. Enlist your children's help to grocery shop.
• Make sure you purchase all the freezer bags and freezer containers you will need.
• Prep your food. Get everything ready to throw together the day before you will be cooking.

Step 3: Cook

• Order your recipes to best utilize your space, equipment and time. Start with a recipe that will be using the stove top. While that is cooking start a recipe that will be using the oven. Follow that with a recipe that is ready to be assembled and put into freezer bags.

Step 4: Freeze

• Place food into freezer containers or bags.
• Express as much air as possible from the containers before sealing. Seal.
• Next label, date and include reheating instructions right on the container.
• Freeze as quickly as possible to prevent food borne illnesses.

Step 5: Enjoy!

• Each night check your menu to see what meals are scheduled for the next day.
• Take those meals out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
• Cook meals according to the cooking instructions.
• Place all leftovers in the refrigerator. If you have a lot of leftovers, have a leftover night when you use all the leftover food in your fridge.
• Do not refreeze leftovers!!!!