Manic Monday!

My Viking Grandma and Viking Grandpa are coming to help out while I have surgery this week. I am slightly stressing........

Friday Afternoon Entertainment

There are some delicious joys about living in a small town. Tell me. Do you get to see a herd of goats walk down the main roads of a large city?

Pesticide List

I am often asked how we afford to eat organic food with our large family. I fully understand the cost of organic food and how expensive it can be to purchase. Sometimes we even have had to make the decision between organic food and non-organic food due to budget or location. 

Here is my humble opinion and recommendation. 

1. Always try to grow your own food. Then you can control what is used on the produce.

2. Buy local. Try to purchase from CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or Farmer's Markets.

3. Buy local produce or at least American grown produce from the big chain grocery stores. Foreign grown produce doesn't always follow the USDA/FDA recommendations. 

4. Check out the list above and only buy organic for the "Dirty Dozen."

Bless Bless

Comic Con !!! We survived another one!

For all my Comic Con/Battle Star Gallatica Geeky Friends....

Home Made Vitamin Water

It is hot in Southern California this time of year. We are averaging between 95-100 degree days. How does one keep hydrated during this time of year? We make our own "Vitamin Water."

It is simple... really...

1. Take favorite fruit combination and slice paper thin or chop thinly.
2. Place in 1 quart jar and add water.
3. Let refrigeration for 4-6 hours.
4. Serve over ice.

There is no added sugar or sweeteners. The natural flavors of the fresh fruits and herbs is all one needs.

Perfect on a hot July day!

Bless Bless

6 Air Purifying House Plants

I could also add, "6 Air Purifying Classroom Plants."

Not ready for school yet! But!!!

I am so enjoying my summer vacation. It's one of those weird perks of being a teacher.

If you have been  reading my blog or my periodic rants on FB about waste then you know that one of my least favorite activities during the school year is packing lunches.  Don't get me wrong, I know my children need to be fed. But, it is also one of my sources of frustration and disgust. I can not believe how much waste is created by the little bits of bags, packaging and bits of this-and-that in preparing lunches. Healthy school lunches??? I use this as example of an Oxymoron in my Language Arts class.

I am always on the look out for yummy healthy, gluten and sugar free meals to pack in green/recyclable lunch containers.

Last year we discovered these awesome little sandwich wraps from Kids Konserve. Check out there site here.
They are durable and hold more then sandwiches. They even survived a microwaving, which I don't recommend.  They are so worth the investment.

This year I am on the hunt for lunch bags and containers. In Southern California we stay hot until mid November. It becomes a challenge to find ways to create wholesome food and keep it cool. We currently use Crocodile Creek lunch boxes with Kid Konserve ice packs for Viking Princess Lady Bug and Viking Monkey Boy. These lunch boxes are durable and do keep the cool inside for several hours. They are perfect for young children but not tweens. I am looking for something for Viking Ninja Boy!
My favorite Mommy Blog, Natural Family Living posted this site today on many lunch box/bag options.
Check it our here. Many options. I am in love with the bento box combinations. We have used them in our Crocodile Creek lunch boxes and it makes life so nice and organized.

Etsy is also another great place to find Mom inspired items too. I found this Mom who makes re-usuable bags called Waste Not Saks. I think she has read my mind. Check them out!

When the time comes to buy new lunch items I am set-ready---ah poolside.... bubble juice...... vacation......