We have had one day of food dehydrating in Louis Manor. The kids call the strawberries and bananas, "Astronaut Fruit." They taste delicious! We are getting some experience with produce and intend to move into jerky in the near future. It is surprising how much water is in all the produce. It comes out a lot smaller than how it went in.
We have successfully dried bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, and hot peppers. I intend to make spices out of the hot peppers and use the tomatoes for soups and salads.
The only mistake we've made so far, since it is not an exact science, is that we have dried hot peppers in our kitchen and it gives the whole house a "pepper spray" type feeling. The kids ran around all morning plugging their noses until we were able to get out of the house. Therefore, we have learned FOOD DEHYDRATING LESSON NUMBER 1: When you dry hot peppers, put the dehydrator on the porch. That way you will keep the fumes outside!
I'm going to have to dehydrate the fruit more rapidly to keep up with the demand the kids have for it. They LOVE IT as a snack. I am a happy momma to be able to give them a preservative free snack option when we are not at home.
So far, I am impressed with the quality of this dehydrator. I will know more once I use it for jerky. This is definitely a way to reduce waste in our home and work toward a healthy alternative for when we eat on the go. I hope to post pictures soon of what we are making and give some practical suggestions for how to use this dehydrator.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Grace based parenting
I am currently reading this book. I hope to talk about it further as I finish it. But, the biggest thing I have learned so far is a change in how I talk to other parents about what they are doing with their kids. What works for one family, does not always work for another family.
As a Christian mother and leader in the church, when I am helping people figure out how to be the best parent they can be, what works for my family may not work for another person's family. There isn't a formula about what's right and wrong as far as family activities, hobbies, and schedules.
So, how do I balance my convictions about homeschooling, Godly limits on behavior, attachment, healthy eating, and staying home with my children? The answer is in the question. These are MY convictions that God has brought ME to. Another mother's convictions may be different than mine and there is nothing wrong with that. Every family has its own unique culture and it is important for me to honor that. There is not one right way to raise a family.
As I continue to read this book, I hope to post more about what God is showing me and the effects it will have on my family.
As a Christian mother and leader in the church, when I am helping people figure out how to be the best parent they can be, what works for my family may not work for another person's family. There isn't a formula about what's right and wrong as far as family activities, hobbies, and schedules.
So, how do I balance my convictions about homeschooling, Godly limits on behavior, attachment, healthy eating, and staying home with my children? The answer is in the question. These are MY convictions that God has brought ME to. Another mother's convictions may be different than mine and there is nothing wrong with that. Every family has its own unique culture and it is important for me to honor that. There is not one right way to raise a family.
As I continue to read this book, I hope to post more about what God is showing me and the effects it will have on my family.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Snap Pea Crisps
I really love these for my kids for snack time. Buying them by the case is the best value for my family. A case lasts us about one month. These have really helped our snack time become more healthy. My kids absolutely LOVE them!
Monday, July 19, 2010
थिंग्स ठाट मके यू गो हम!
blogger is malfunctioning for me an writing all my headlines in some asian language.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Grieving the Great Chicken Massacre of 2010
It's been hard to face the reality that we have again been invaded by a chicken predator. Two weeks ago Dave went out to see a movie by himself and when he returned, he discovered that my favorite chicken was missing and his favorite chicken was injured.
My chicken was a small grey hen who laid the most adorable green eggs. She was mouthy, but very personable. She was bold and funny. She got along well with all the other chickens.
Dave's favorite is a large Buff Orpington chicken who is the most beautiful color of orange. She laid large dark brown eggs that I loved to use for baking. We affectionately named the chicken "Pirate" because the fox took one of her eyes. We nursed her back to health and have given her to our neighbor who is much more experienced in the care of chickens than we are.
We think it was a fox this time. I really don't like foxes right now.
The chickens were all terrified. Egg production has gone way down. I haven't had to buy any eggs for 8 months. Now I'm adding a dozen eggs to my grocery list this week. We still have 6 chickens and we're hoping they recover soon from their trauma.
We do have a pretty good record, it has been a year since the last senseless slaughter of chickens and our kids did not witness any of it this time. Those are two very good things. Hoping for a better future as we continue to "micro farm."
My chicken was a small grey hen who laid the most adorable green eggs. She was mouthy, but very personable. She was bold and funny. She got along well with all the other chickens.
Dave's favorite is a large Buff Orpington chicken who is the most beautiful color of orange. She laid large dark brown eggs that I loved to use for baking. We affectionately named the chicken "Pirate" because the fox took one of her eyes. We nursed her back to health and have given her to our neighbor who is much more experienced in the care of chickens than we are.
We think it was a fox this time. I really don't like foxes right now.
The chickens were all terrified. Egg production has gone way down. I haven't had to buy any eggs for 8 months. Now I'm adding a dozen eggs to my grocery list this week. We still have 6 chickens and we're hoping they recover soon from their trauma.
We do have a pretty good record, it has been a year since the last senseless slaughter of chickens and our kids did not witness any of it this time. Those are two very good things. Hoping for a better future as we continue to "micro farm."
life before motherhood...
Today is a day where I think about what life was like before I was a mom.
I do have a degree in Urban Studies and a Master of Arts degree. Are these requirements for being a mom... NO. I spend my days cleaning up poopy pants, doing laundry, playing referee, teaching life skills, listening to whining and crying, cooking, cleaning the table, cooking again, cleaning the table again, trying to squeeze all our stuff into a small space... Whew!
But, what happened to my brain? What happened to the things I was trained to do? Well, for now, they are on hold. I used to go into tough urban places to try and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the broken and hurting. I used to go into churches and teach people how to develop youth and children's ministries in their environments. I used to go into homes and schools and teach families and professionals how to best help their autistic children. It was brainy. I worked hard. I used my training to train other people.
Now... I have traded broken and hurting urban places for the broken and hurting hearts of my children... because they have faced so much grief and loss in their lives so far. I have traded developing ministries for developing homeschool curriculum to use in my home to educate my children. I have traded special needs autistic children for the special needs that come with my children who don't know who to attach to because they have lost everything they were close to while they were waiting for me to be their mommy.
My job now is harder... I guess it does take as much or more brain power to accomplish it. But, on days like today, I feel frumpy and unprofessional. I feel like it takes a lot of effort to connect with any other adult and make any sense or be taken seriously. I know it's just my issue. Sometimes I wish others could see inside my head and understand the conflict between who I used to be and who my children are helping me to become. I know that in the end it will be for the better. It is just going to take some time for me to fully realize what the Lord is doing.
For now, I will take joy in my children when they draw, learn, play, laugh and smile. They won't be this little long and I don't want to miss any minute of it!
I do have a degree in Urban Studies and a Master of Arts degree. Are these requirements for being a mom... NO. I spend my days cleaning up poopy pants, doing laundry, playing referee, teaching life skills, listening to whining and crying, cooking, cleaning the table, cooking again, cleaning the table again, trying to squeeze all our stuff into a small space... Whew!
But, what happened to my brain? What happened to the things I was trained to do? Well, for now, they are on hold. I used to go into tough urban places to try and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the broken and hurting. I used to go into churches and teach people how to develop youth and children's ministries in their environments. I used to go into homes and schools and teach families and professionals how to best help their autistic children. It was brainy. I worked hard. I used my training to train other people.
Now... I have traded broken and hurting urban places for the broken and hurting hearts of my children... because they have faced so much grief and loss in their lives so far. I have traded developing ministries for developing homeschool curriculum to use in my home to educate my children. I have traded special needs autistic children for the special needs that come with my children who don't know who to attach to because they have lost everything they were close to while they were waiting for me to be their mommy.
My job now is harder... I guess it does take as much or more brain power to accomplish it. But, on days like today, I feel frumpy and unprofessional. I feel like it takes a lot of effort to connect with any other adult and make any sense or be taken seriously. I know it's just my issue. Sometimes I wish others could see inside my head and understand the conflict between who I used to be and who my children are helping me to become. I know that in the end it will be for the better. It is just going to take some time for me to fully realize what the Lord is doing.
For now, I will take joy in my children when they draw, learn, play, laugh and smile. They won't be this little long and I don't want to miss any minute of it!
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