Friday, May 17, 2013

Gardening Where You Are

I've got a huge garden full of a lot of veggies. Every year I make it a little bigger and add more to it. This year I've got a strawberry patch, raspberry canes, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, peas, carrots and a variety of herbs. As the summer goes on I'll keeping tending it and adding more things to it.
A few years ago I realized that I don't like walking across my yard when I want a few leaves of lettuce for a burger. I'm pretty lazy and like to find the simplest ways to do things. Around that time I started buying medium planters, filling them with potting soil and growing a few things just outside my backdoor.

Basically I'm growing a salad. I've got leafy lettuces and a patio tomato plant as my go to, easy
answer to walking across the yard. One of the easiest things about growing planters by the door- just fill a cup with water and you can easily water your plant(s). Much easier than getting out the hose and setting up a sprinkler for the garden.

I still have my big backyard garden where I grow more lettuce and tomatoes but my absolute favorite things I grow are by the backdoor.

Do you spend a lot on organic lettuces? Is a big garden too much for you this year? Have you considered the ease of one or two planters with your favorite veggies on your patio?
1st salad of 2013 from my patio
This post was shared at: Small Footprint FridayFrugal Days, Sustainable Days

Friday, May 3, 2013

A Final Reminder about the Ultimate Homemaker eBook Bundle


Since tomorrow is the final day of the Ultimate Homemaker eBook Bundle sale, I wanted to quickly give you a summary of what I love the best in this package.
I do not consider myself a salesperson–at ALL! 
The only time I like to promote certain products and books are when they are on sale–because that’s when I personally buy things. Better yet? I only try to buy when things are on clearance. The books in this bundle come to about $.31 each. If that’s not a “clearance” sale, then I don’t know what is.
My favorites include:  
  • One Bite At A Time by Tsh Oxenreider@ Simple Mom ($5 value) Tsh's e-book includes 52 ideas for simplifying your life. You can do them in any order, at your own pace, and customize them to fit your needs. I've done about half of the ideas and they've been tremendously helpful to simplify and organize my family.
  • Mindset for Moms by Jamie Martin @ Steady Mom ($4.99 value) Jamie writes about going from mundane to marvelous thinking in just 30 days. The book contains an overview of all she discovered about positive thinking as it relates to motherhood and teaches lessons that took her years to learn. I've not read this one yet but I've heard good things and I want to read it soon.
  • Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95 value): Stephanie’s book are just top-notch. Does healthy/natural living ever overwhelm you? I’ve been there! In this book, Stephanie takes you on a step-by-step journey to cultivating a healthier home.
  • Simple Scrubs to Make & Give by Stacy Karen @ A Delightful Home ($3.99 value) This ebook is packed with gift-worthy recipes your friends will want to receive. Last Christmas I made the Holiday Spice Sugar Scrub as teacher and friend gifts and it was a big hit all around.

  • Crock On by Stacy @ Stacy Makes Cents ($5.00 value) I use my crock pot a lot as it's so easy to assemble my meal in the morning and it's all ready at dinner time. I've used many of these recipes already and they were delicious & easy. 
  • Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen plus 1 month access to select Real Food Kids eCourse videos by Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS and Jami @ Eat Nourishing ($20.00 value) It's very important to me that my boys learn to cook. The philosophy of this eBook — “everyone eats, everyone cooks” is mine too. I want to teach joyful, willing, and good workers in the kitchen — for today and the future so I'm looking forward to using this ebook & 1 month eCourse videos with my boys.
  • Just Making Ice Cream by Marillyn @ Just Making Noise ($12.00 value) My family absolutely LOVES ice cream and we make lots of plain old vanilla every summer. I'm eager to try some of the over 70 recipes in this ebook. 
  • Family Camping Handbook by Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship ($6.95) I've wanted to buy this ebook for a while so I'm excited it's included in this bundle. I love Katie's ebooks and blog and have learned so much from her about kitchen stewardship. I'm excited to learn even more on family camping such as what to bring and real food adaptations to standard camping fare. We love to tent camp and I've struggled in the past to keep us eating real food instead of just s'mores & hotdogs. 

Click here to see the entire list of books and bonuses! The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th!

And let’s not forget about the BONUSES!

 The bonues are valued at $140, and for a package that is already valued at more than $600, it’s like paying yourself to spend the $29!
My favorite bonuses...

   Get $10 off Union28's original "my husband rocks" tee. Their marriage apparel lets you celebrate your spouse in style. ($10.00 valueStandard shipping rates apply. International shipping available, but free shipping only available within USA.) I saw their awesome shirts at a Hearts at Home conference and oh how I wanted one!

  A $10 store credit plus 1 FREE lip balm from Bee All Natural. Their whole body products nourish and heal, and are made using only the highest quality, food grade, organic ingredients. ($13.49 value. Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.)

  A FREE 2 oz. bottle of your choice of liquid herbal formula from TriLight Health. They specialize in fast acting, great tasting natural herbal remedies. ($12.95 value or moreStandard shipping applies, within the USA only.)

  Your choice of incredible natural products like sea salt and clay for FREE. Choose from the Redmond Trading Earthpaste Bundle ($24.90 value) or the Facial Mud Bundle ($26.90 value). (Standard shipping applies. Continental US only.) I absolutely LOVE their Earthpaste toothpaste and their delicious sea salt.

  Your choice of a FREE heirloom sourdough starter or FREE yogurt starter from Cultures for Health, the leading supplier of starter cultures and supplies for making cultured and fermented foods ($12.95 value. US & CAN addresses only. Standard shipping applies.) I got my water kefir and kombucha starters from them & I love them.

I'd suggest you don't wait much longer if you want to purchase this bundle. The sale is over at 11:59 pm, Saturday, May 4th.

(Note: some links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Thursday, May 2, 2013

May Menu

Here's my real food, gluten free and nearly all homemade menu for this month. May has a lot of days to plan for- 31 in all! I've scheduled some takeout & dinner out to make it a bit easier on me. Since summer is on the horizon I'm taking a break on the crockpot and firing up the grill. I love that the weather is warming up and we're spending more time in our backyard.
Dinnertime on the Patio
May
1 Grilled Chicken, steamed broccoli
2 Sesame Tuna with Avocado, tossed salad, steamed green beans
3 Chinese take-out
4 Beef Tacos

5 Grilled Steaks, baked potatoes, edamame
Crockpot roast, carrots & potatoes 
Grilled Salmon (from Make it Paleo), quinoa, steamed broccoli
8 GF Pizza and edamame
Crockpot Garlic Chicken, carrots & potatoes
10 Baked Drumsticks, asparagus
11 Tacos with Ground Beef
12 Baked Tilapia, brown rice, steamed green beans
13 Pasta & tossed salad
14 Baked Salmon, edamame
15 Beef with Broccoli (from Make it Paleo)
16 Burgers on the grill, edamame
17 Salmon Cakes, sweet potato fries
18 Grilled Steaks, baked potatoes, edamame
19 Grilled Chicken (from Make it Paleo), corn
20 Dinner Out 
21 Grilled Salmon (from Make it Paleo), quinoa, steamed broccoli
22  Crockpot roast, carrots & potatoes
23 Baked Salmon, rice, edamame
24 Crockpot Garlic Chicken with carrots & potatoes
25 Grilled Steaks, baked potatoes, asparagus
26 BBQ Crockpot Ribs, steamed broccoli
27 Tacos with Ground Beef
28 Baked Tilapia, quinoa, steamed green beans
29 Grilled Chicken Skewers (from The Autism Cookbook), roasted sweet potatoes & apples
30 Sesame Tuna with Avocado, tossed salad
31 Chicken Nuggets, steamed green beans
This post was shared at Menu Plan MondaySimple Lives Thursday
(Note: some links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)



Monday, April 29, 2013

Homemaking eBook Bundle Sale & A Giveaway!


Oh, goodness, am I excited to tell you about this! For 6 days only, more than 75 widely-known bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer 97 of their most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the incredibly low price of $29.97! More than anything, our goal for this sale was for it to be, well… ultimate!  I enjoy telling you about sales because that is normally the ONLY time I buy eBooks (or just about anything for that matter!).

eBooks for 31 cents EACH??? Yes!


I don't believe you will find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web, and particularly not in this price range. For this low price, you gain access to every single one of these resources, so that you can customize your own collection to contain exactly the ones you want and know you'll use. This library of homemaking helps include topics such as mothering, organization and cleaning, recipes and kitchen helps, home education, spiritual growth for both moms and kids, home décor and DIY, pregnancy and baby care, frugal living, health and fitness, and even work-from-home and financial tools. To sweeten the pot, we’ve also teamed up with 10 companies to bring you over $140 in bonus offers, giving you an affordable opportunity to get products you’ll use and love for only the cost of shipping, or in some cases, entirely for free! 

What's Included in the Sale?

When you purchase The Ultimate Homemaking eBook collection, you will get instant access to any of the 97 eBooks and eCourses listed below.

PLUS over $140 of FREE Bonuses

Each Ultimate Homemaking eBook collection comes with more than $140 of FREE Bonuses from 10 companies that we know you'll love. More on these bonuses below.
Please note: This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th. There will be no late sales offered.

Health & Fitness

100-pound Loser by Jessica @ Muthering Heights ($4.99)
Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Danielle @ Domestic Serenity ($2.99)
42 Days to Fit by Brandy @ The Marathon Mom, Emma @ Real Fit Moms and Stacy @ A Delightful Home ($4.99)
Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)
Personal ePlanner by Jennifer @ ListPlanIt ($5.00)

Home & Property {Cleaning, Organizing, Decor}

31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae @ SarahMae.com ($4.99)
Getting it Together: Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System that Works by Kayse @ kayse pratt ($3.99)
Pulling Yourself Together: Implementing a Cleaning Routine that Sticks by Becky @ Clean Mama ($10.00)
Simple Living by Lorilee @ Loving Simple Living ($2.99)
NOT a DIY Diva by Melissa @ The Inspired Room ($3.99)
One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh @ Simple Mom ($5.00)
28 Days to Hope for your Home by Dana @ A Slob Comes Clean ($5.00)
Organizing Life as Mom by Jessica @ Life as Mom ($9.00)
Clean Enough: Simple Solutions for the Overwhelmed by Jenni @ Live Called ($4.99)
10 Steps to Organized Paper by Lisa @ Lisa Woodruff.net($5.00)
Handmade Walls by Jamin and Ashley @ the handmade home ($9.95)
Easy Peasy Chores: An Easy-to-Use Chore System That Brings JOY Back Into Family Chores by Alina Joy @ The Good Old Days Farm ($17.99)

Educational Children's Resource

Princess Training by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($3.99)
The Armor of God by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($2.50)
My Bedtime Learning Book by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($1.00)
Think Outside the Classroom by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($6.97)
Raising Rock Stars — Kindergarten Bundle by Carissa @ 1plus1plus1equals1 ($10.00)
The ABC's For Godly Boys Curriculum by Lindsey @ Road to 31 ($8.00)
K4 Curriculum by Erica @ Confessions of a Homeschooler ($15.00)
Write Through the Bible (print) by Trisha @ Intoxicated on Life ($5.00)
Balcony Girls (books 1 & 2) by Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer ($19.90)
The Dig for Kids: Luke (Volumes 1 and 2) by Patrick, husband of Ruth @ The Better Mom ($5.98)
Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life by Ryan @ Resound School of Music ($6.99)


Budgeting {Finance & Time}

From Debtor to Better by Barry @ From Debtor to Better ($10.00)
Tell Your Time by Amy @ Blogging with Amy ($2.99)
The Homemakers Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy @ Raising Arrows ($4.99)
Your Grocery Budget Toolbox by Anne @ Authentic Simplicity ($7.99)
Finding Financial Freedom by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($5.97)
Become a Frugalista in 30 Days by Susan @ The Confident Mom ($3.99)

In the Kitchen {Recipes and Cooking}

Crock On by Stacy @ Stacy Makes Cents ($5.00)
Real Food, Real Easy by various bloggers @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)
Wholesome Mixes by Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage ($4.00)
20-Minute Meals by Leigh Ann @ Intentional by Grace ($4.99)
Restocking the Pantry by Kresha @ Nourishing Joy ($9.99)
Money Saving Mom's Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal @ Money Saving Mom ($3.99)
Simply Summer by Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama ($7.95)
Do the Funky Kitchen by Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers ($4.95)
Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen plus 1 month access to select Real Food Kids eCourse videos by Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS and Jami @ Eat Nourishing ($20.00)
Seasonal Menu Plans on a Budget: A Month of Meals from My Humble Kitchen to Yours by Diana @ My Humble Kitchen ($4.99)
Just Making Ice Cream by Marillyn @ Just Making Noise ($12.00)
The Curative Kitchen by Susan @ Handy Pantry ($20.00)


Marriage & Romance

Rekindling Romance by Jason & Jami @ A Biblical Marriage ($4.99)
Good Wife’s Guide by Darlene @ Time-Warp Wife ($2.99)
31 Days to Build a Better Spouse by Ashley @ Ashley Pichea ($4.99)
31 Days to Great Sex by Sheila @ To Love, Honor and Vacuum ($4.99)
Entangled: Recognize Your Emotional Affair by Amy @ Amy J. Bennett ($4.99)


Motherhood

The Heart of Simplicity by various authors @ The Heart of Simplicity ($9.99)
True Christian Motherhood by June @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home ($7.00)
Hula Hoop Girl by September @ One September Day ($4.99)
When Motherhood Feels Too Hard by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($4.97)
Mindset for Moms by Jamie @ Steady Days ($4.99)
From Cube to Farm by Heather @ From Cube to Farm ($2.99)
4 Moms of 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions by various authors @ 4 Moms, 35+ Kids Parenting E-book ($7.99)
That Works for Me! by Kristen @ We are THAT Family ($8.00)

Working from Home & Blogging

Your Blogging Business: Tax, Talk and Tips by Nikki @ Christian Mommy Blogger ($4.99)
The Bootstrap VA by Lisa @ The Home Life {and Me} ($12.99)
How to Grow Your Blog and Manage Your Home by Jacinda @ Growing Home ($4.99)
How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too by Mandi @ Life Your Way ($12.00)
Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging by Rachel @ Small Notebook ($8.00)

PLUS, You will receive FREE Bonuses from these companies...

A FREE Two-Month Membership to Fit2B Studio, where their wholesome workouts for the whole family are tummy safe and particularly target Diastasis Recti (split abs). ($19.98 value. No shipping restrictions, new members only.)

  A $15 store credit to TruKid. With products like their award-winning sun care, they are dedicated to providing all natural skin and hair care for kids, babies, and now pets. ($15.00 value. Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.)

  Your choice of incredible natural products like sea salt and clay for FREE. Choose from the Redmond Trading Earthpaste Bundle ($24.90 value) or the Facial Mud Bundle ($26.90 value. Standard shipping applies. Continental US only.)

  Your choice of a FREE heirloom sourdough starter or FREE yogurt starter from Cultures for Health, the leading supplier of starter cultures and supplies for making cultured and fermented foods ($12.95 value. US & CAN addresses only. Standard shipping applies.)


Your choice of: a FREE 3-Month Subscription (for new accounts) or 30% off a One Year Subscription. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them. ($15.00 value. No shipping restrictions.)

  A FREE Culinary Herbs Assorted Seed Pack Check just in time for spring planting from www.wheatgrasskits.com, a living whole foods company. ($11.95 value. Standard shipping applies to all US states and territories- no international shipping for seeds.)

  Get $10 off Union28's original "my husband rocks" tee. Their marriage apparel lets you celebrate your spouse in style. ($10.00 value. Standard shipping rates apply. International shipping available, but free shipping only available within USA.)

  A $10 store credit plus 1 FREE lip balm from Bee All Natural. Their whole body products nourish and heal, and are made using only the highest quality, food grade, organic ingredients. ($13.49 value. Standard shipping applies. International shipping available.)

  A FREE 2 oz. bottle of your choice of liquid herbal formula from TriLight Health. They specialize in fast acting, great tasting natural herbal remedies. ($12.95 value or more. Standard shipping applies, within the USA only.)

Your choice of 3 FREE ePlanners OR a 3-Month FREE Membership to ListPlanIt, whose mobile lists will help to organize your life. ($15.00 value. No shipping restrictions.)

The fine print:

Bonus Offers
  • Each bonus offer can be redeemed once only per eBook Bundle purchase.
  • For each bonus offer, transaction numbers or proof of purchase may be required at the time of redemption.
  • All bonus offers are free gifts from the bonus sponsors, are their sole responsibility to provide, and are subject to availability.
  • All bonus offers expire at midnight on May 19th, 2013 (2 weeks from the last day of this sale).
General
  • It is your responsibility to download and back-up your purchase within the 1-month download time-frame. With proof of purchase, we can renew download links up until August 1st, 2013. After this date we will no longer have access to the books and will not be able to provide any new links to download.
  • Due to the nature of this sale, there will be no refunds available. However, we would invite you to read our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the file types, the download process, how the bonus offers work, etc.
Please note: This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th. There will be no late sales offered, so make sure that you get your bundle right away!
Particularly for those wanting to read these ebooks on their mobile devices (iPhones or iPads, Android, Kindle, etc.) you will want to learn more about the file types, how to download them correctly, and how to transfer them to your device.
This post includes affiliate links, and I make a portion of the sale of each ebook bundle. Thanks for your support of this site!
I'm also raffling off a copy of Shauna Niequist's latest book Bread & Wine: a love letter to life around the table with recipes. It's a wonderful read and I'll be writing a full review of it next week. This raffle is only open to residents of the continental United States. Enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Chocolate Coconut Cookies...Gluten Free and Paleo!

I've been trying out a few gluten free cookie recipes and while my absolute favorite is Peanut Butter cookies, those don't work for my middle son with peanut allergies. He's been demanding his own cookie recipe and when we found this one in Practical Paleo he insisted we make it. We've made it for dessert and for breakfast and we REALLY like this one.


Chocolate Coconut Cookies
from Practical Paleo
makes 12 cookies

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, melted & cooled
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch baking soda
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds or 1/2 cup fresh raspberries (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 
Whisk together the eggs, melted butter, vanilla & maple syrup. Stir in the cocoa powder, baking soda and shredded coconut until it's all combined. Fold in the optional almonds and/or chocolate chips.

Using a tablespoon, scoop out 12 cookie balls onto the cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork. Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly firm to the touch.
If you want raspberries on top you can add one to each cookie after baking and before eating.

The chocolate chips made these much better in my opinion. These cookies are a bit chewier than I like but 2 out of 3 of my boys found the taste and texture just right and gobbled them up. I ate a few more than I should have myself.

This post was shared at: Clever ChicksSumo's Sweet StuffThis Gal CooksA Round TuitHomestead Barn HopSlightly Indulgent Tuesday
This post does contain affliate links

Monday, April 22, 2013

Book Review: The Briarpatch Gospel

I've been reading a lot lately. I mean more than usual and way beyond my 2013 reading list. This year I discovered that some book publishers will give free copies of new books to bloggers in exchange for an honest review. After much research I began requesting some exciting books. The Briarpatch Gospel by Shayne Wheeler is my second non-fiction book to review and I found it a fascinating read.



"Hasn’t Jesus called us into the thorns and thistles with Him to love what we find there? What if we had the courage to follow him into the briarpatch and discover life as we were always meant to live it?"

 In The Briarpatch Gospel, dynamic pastor Shayne Wheeler presents a radical message of grace that calls all Christ followers to travel through the thorny thickets of the Briarpatch and love people where they are. He shares his own journey and his church’s experience of creating a community in which people walk through many difficult issues together.

I loved so much about this book. First and most basic, it was organized well and broken into 4 sections with 2-4 chapters in each section. The book spent the first 3 chapters by exploring the Problem of the Briarpatch and looking at what people may be afraid of. In chapter 1 Shayne states "...I don't want you to think you have to be a Christian superhero in order to walk through the briarpatch. All you need is the courage to be yourself..." 

Other sections are about examining the Briarpatch Within ourselves and then moving Into the Briarpatch. Shayne shared many fascinating stories from his experience as a pastor and also as a neighbor, father and friend. The final section is on Transforming the Briarpatch and living for Jesus beyond the walls of your church or home and striving to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth in how we live here and now.

Shayne tackles today's big issues and looks first to the life of Jesus and the Bible. For example chapter 10 is entitled Looking For The Rainbow: Does God Really Hate Gays? This chapter is perhaps the most controversial and most intriguing to me. I won't reveal all that Shayne says on the topic but I loved how he confesses he doesn't have all the answers. Instead he & his church lean into this difficult topic with the heart of Jesus and love people as they are.

This book didn't take me long to read but it did delve into some deep, important issues in the church. I read about a chapter a day to give me time to process each one. I recommend this book to anyone who is a follower of Jesus or even people who aren't Christians but are interested in knowing more about a pastor's take on the messy issues of life and faith.

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.
This post was shared at: Teach Me Tuesday