Eye Opener

The Blonde Vegan, Jordan Younger, recently lost a lot of followers due to an illness caused by an eating disorder (Orthorexia: an obsession with eating pure) that she admitted to. While I understand people that absolutely want to stay clear of certain foods would unfollow, it was unnecessary to send hate mail. I myself was inspired and am now following. Instead of being mad because I try my best to eat clean and raw also, it made me accept my occasional habit of "cheating".  Jordan is now The Balanced Blonde /The Blonde Veggie and though she's lost many followers I predict she will gain many more followers facing the same troubles along the way of her journey. One followers loss is another's gain right :) good luck Jordan!

My undying LOVE for all things natural

The natural journey is indeed difficult in a world full of cynics and  mass marketing of processed foods. I DO LOVE electronics, such as my OralB powered toothbrush, Irobot Scooba, Samsung Galaxy S3 phone, Asus laptop you know that amazing life changing stuff. But what I put in and on my body that stuff is seriously important to me. Some label me as a New Ager, Hipster, straight up crazy.. But I'm really starting to not care. I guess keeping my strength and heeding judgment is part of growing up. It's not pleasurable at all having to explain my ways or trying to find an organized religion to back myself up to my children's schools but, I'm ready to win the war righteously. I decide my children's upbringing and exposures NOT THE SCHOOLS. I cannot stand the Nanny State ways at all. I find the behavior offensive and unethical. My feelings border hatred and I fight my resentment by telling myself that their actions are due to their inexplicable  ignorance of the lifestyle. DIRT? Yes please we bathe in it! Cluttered home? Whatever we practice love and bonding as a family everything else comes second. Pharmaceuticals no thanks we prefer herbs. Though I CANNOT find a specific group near me that has the same values and views, I find herbalism to be a religious belief  and it pains me that the only thing somewhat relatable to it is the "New Age Movement" and is that legible to present to a school pressuring theoretical psychology methods such as counseling and administration of stimulants that cause seizures and tics? I'm really at a loss here since the pressures are so against my beliefs. Anyway that turned into a rant LOL I'll post some natural beauty and hygiene recipes later :D

And then she changed...

     

      One event can really change your values,spirituality, your entire perspective on life and what you stand for. I faced many tests but there is one that really stands out the most when I ask how I got this far. Experiencing my own child in danger and being completely powerless as a mother is where I truly was awakened. I know not what organized religion I may be quite yet. (If any) But, I do know I am one of few. (at least here in the USA) Believing in keeping physical purity, treating the body as a temple often causes eyebrows to be raised my way. However, no one knows the severity of what I have had to endure that made me this way. So, really all I care about is that I know, and that I make every effort to continue growing. Now, I love being my own. I'm not mold-able. I'm unwavering,indifferent,selfless,humane,logical, and intuitive. I'm a somewhat castaway,  a gypsy stuck in one place. I am proud of what I believe in. I come off as a lioness hunting her prey sometimes, but, that's only when I feel negatively attacked. I'm a mother protecting her most prized possessions in today's society.  I'm facing my own journey. I'm gracefully walking alone.

Gummy Bears with a hidden purpose!

I know how hard it is when a kid that wont eat anything wants something that needs limitations! So, this will sneak in some needed vitamins,minerals and probiotics but you definitely will want to lock the fridge and limit 1 to 2 a day! Eventually the tantrums will subside even though they seem like they never will. We all know that already though right?

The purpose of this is to help with Calming, ADHD symptoms, build immunity, and get those much needed probiotics. I'm not a doctor, but, instead of trying to get my kids to take 15 minutes (at least) out of the day to try to get them to swallow what seems like dozens of pills that they already would be taking I figured this would be much easier and whipped it up. This way its one bite or maybe two and tada all done! 

What You Need
Most ingredients can be bought here Get $10 off by using this link! 
2 cups Kids Calm Multi liquid ( $21.79 use above link)
1/4 tsp or 1 capsule Turmeric Powder ( Try raw,fresh squeezed and dried)
1/4 tsp or 1 capsule Ginger Root Powder (Try organic)
1/4 tsp or 1 capsule Cinnamon Powder (Try organic)
1/2 Cup Raw Honey
12 oz. bottle Sneaky Pete's Oat Beverage ( $1.86 use above link ;) )
6 Envelopes of Knox Gelatin
 PROBIOTICS powder (Try Vitacost KidHealth Potent Probiotic with Organic Prebiotics Powder)

ADD ALL EXCEPT GELATIN AND PROBIOTICS  IN A POT AND HEAT ON MEDIUM LOW FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES

WHILE HEATING, LINE A COOKIE SHEET WITH WAX PAPER

 TURN OFF THE HEAT ADD THE GELATIN  AND STIR WELL

POUR MIXTURE INTO COOKIE SHEET AND LEAVE ON THE COUNTER  ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COOL

SPRINKLE/DUST PROBIOTICS (NEVER HEAT PROBIOTICS)  EVENLY ACROSS THE COOLED MIXTURE AND PLACE IN FRIDGE

DIY "lunchable"

My babes love the store bought lunchables but, feel even more special when I make one for them! Cole's Lunch box is featured below :) "My Mom,she can do everything!" I love having such an enthusiast!

SUPPLIES
FoodSaver Material	FoodSaver	Kitchen Meat Scissors

Food
Crackers	Deli Meat	Cheese

1. Using your cracker as a guide cut deli meat with scissors start on outer edges moving toward center to prevent having excessive meat scraps.
2. Depending on what type of cheese you use this step may vary either slice the cheese thin and cut to fit the cracker or use the cracker as guide and trace with knife on sliced cheese.
3. Stack Crackers/Meat/Cheese into their own piles- use each stack individually to measure out 3 rectangular bags from the  foodsaver material leaving roughly 1/8th of an inch extra material on all sides of each bag. 
4. Build the bags by sealing all but 1 edge
5. Stuff each bag then seal

Get Creative!

• Try using small cookie or play-doh cutters to create shapes with the meat and cheese
• Use a food coloring pen to draw designs or faces on the meat
• Make your own condiment pouches (the same way just more cautiously) if your kids don't like the "lunchable" dry
• Don't want the kids to have to bug teachers for scissors to pouches? Cut an ever so slight notch on the edge!

Be Green

• Have kids bring the baggies home to rinse/dry/reuse!
• Use a reusable cantine such as this one from staples

Keep it Healthy

• Try AppleGate Farms Meats and Cheeses
• Use low sodium crackers
• Toss in a well cleaned fruit for snack
• add some non browning Apple Slices by making a lemon juice and water mixture soaking apple slices for about a minute straining and packaging with the foodsaver!

Homemade Sunblock and Bug Repellant 2 in 1 Bars

If you are new with homemade cosmetics you may not have noticed that you always need 3 bases on hand your oil your butter your beeswax! Always stay stocked with your favorite butter coconut oil and beeswax!
My favorite stores are brambleberry.com and bulkapothecary.com

Here's my spin on sunblock lotion bars they melt on so they will melt if brought along on your travels so maybe keep in a cooler or bring a brick along in a tupperware if you plan on being out long.
all ingredients can be found at the above websites
1/2 Cup Cocoa or Shea Butter
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
5 Tablespoons Beeswax
2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide Powder
1/2 teaspoon Catnip Essential Oil
1/4 teaspoon Citronella Essential Oil
Molds- Your choice ice cube trays or melt and pour candy trays get creative :)

Melt butter, beeswax, and oils together on low in a double boiler. Line molds with plastic wrap if not using silicone. Remove from heat. Slowly add zinc oxide while whisking. Add to molds fridge until cool and firm store in a tupperware like container in fridge or cool room.

Happy Camping!