This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.As a homeschool family learning is incorporated in all things. To help my four-year-old learn her letters we do one lunch a week that we call a "letter lunch." We make something that starts with the letters she's working on.For letters C and D we did Crazy Designs. I gave my kids an assortment of veggies, cheese, dips, etc. and let them make a design on their plates. For letters S and T we did Sea Turtles. I used half … [Read more...]
What you Need to Know About How Food Dyes and Behavior are Connected
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I'm not sure if it's my over-tired postpartum brain, or simply the fact that as I get older I've stopped caring what people think - but after last month's post about living the way God intended I'm back with another blunt post about how the way we feed our kids needs to change.Today I want to discuss how food dyes and behavior are connected. And why the 80/20 rule does NOT apply here.When my oldest (now ten) was … [Read more...]
How Does God Want Us to Live?
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I've been living a real food lifestyle for about ten years now. I started my journey when struggling with infertility. I found Nourishing Traditions and have been learning all I can ever since! It took a lot of baby steps to get where I am now. But it wasn't until my family moved to a farm two years ago that I realized just how important it is to care for our bodies and the Earth and to raise animals well.And with all … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Slowing Down Life
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Ah, summer. Don't you just love it? No more school work. No more soccer. No more robotics. No more dance. No more packing lunches. No more early mornings. No more...you fill in the blank.Summer break is great because it is just that - a break. A break from the chaos we call life most of the year.It's a time to slow down, spend time as a family and enjoy the freedom of actually having free time!Living a … [Read more...]
Easy Gluten Free Nut Free Breakfast Mudball Recipe
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Breakfast. It's the one meal of the day that I don't typically "cook" for my family. At least not on a weekday. Mom and Dad are up early. The kids get up a bit later. Sometimes we're relaxed. Sometimes we're rushed.But that doesn't mean breakfast isn't important to me! Quite the contrary. I know that a balanced, nourishing breakfast can completely make or break our day. A starchy breakfast without healthy fats and … [Read more...]
Nutrient Dense Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipe
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I love dairy. In all forms. If I could choose one food group to never have to give up...it would be dairy. And yet I or someone in my family (or a combination) have been dairy free for anywhere from six months to two or more years at a time during the past seven years. Which means I know a thing or two about eating dairy free and still enjoying food! You can even make delicious dairy-free frozen treats everyone will enjoy! … [Read more...]
Easy Sheet Pan Dinner your Kids will Love to Make
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Confession time. When it comes to making dinner I'm actually NOT looking for quick hacks in the kitchen. I may be in the minority, but I actually love to cook!! I'd spend half my day in the kitchen if I could.BUT...my reality is that I don't often have much time for it. I'm a work-at-home and homeschooling mom of three...with number four coming any day now! Which means my time in the kitchen will soon be non-existent … [Read more...]
How to Make ACTUAL “Smart” Water for Your Family
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Although much of our nation is still stuck on the SAD (standard American diet) way of eating, there is one healthy habit that has actually caught on. Drinking water!I'm happy to see kids carrying water bottles instead of neon-colored drinks. Or worse yet, soda. One more baby step towards raising a healthier generation! Water for the Win? Before you start cheering too loudly, I've actually warned against the dangers of … [Read more...]
What Everybody Ought to Know About Living on a Farm
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I grew up in the suburbs. Neighbors twenty feet away on all sides. Eating the typical standard American diet. It was all I knew.Then I got married. My husband grew up on a farm and couldn't even fathom the idea of a vegetable out of a can. So once we bought a house we started our own little garden. I began learning how to can and freeze to preserve our homegrown food for the winter. I've always loved to cook and bake, … [Read more...]
Kid-Approved Easy Instant Pot Golden (Turmeric) Rice Recipe
This post is by contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.When you are a gluten free family, you eat a lot of rice (except when you have a child allergic to rice...so glad he healed from that!). It's easy (especially in your Instant Pot). And it goes with just about everything.I'm the boring mom that usually just cooks plain white rice (it's much easier on our tummies than brown rice). Then my family gets to add whatever seasonings they like. My kids usually opt for cinnamon and … [Read more...]
Shopping List to Have on Hand for Whole30® Eating
For most people, trying out a Whole30 diet means a total overhaul in grocery shopping, pantry stocking, and meal planning and prep. It can feel like you're starting a new job with all you have to learn and re-learn!But it doesn't have to feel impossible to reach success - observing others' Whole30 meal planning and using this handy shopping list to keep the right foods stocked throughout your Whole30 will keep temptations at bay and increase your chances of seeing the positive change you … [Read more...]
The Secret to Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Is it just me or is it a whirlwind between Thanksgiving and Christmas? The last thing I want to do is spend half of my time in the kitchen. Especially when I'm with family. At Kitchen Stewardship we believe real food shouldn't be a burden or take up all your time.I'm the queen of making things as easy as possible (like this Instant Pot mac 'n' cheese). We just hosted Thanksgiving...and I was able to take a nap in the … [Read more...]
Why the Herd Immunity Theory is a Lie
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Before I begin I want to state that this post does not deal with vaccine safety. It is not pro or anti vaccines. It is simply discussing vaccine efficacy and the theory of herd immunity.Vaccinating vs. not vaccinating is a very personal choice - a choice every parent should have.Vaccination is a medical procedure and the government should never be allowed to make that decision for us, but it's getting closer and … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Ask anyone who's been gluten free for a while and they'll tell you it's really not that hard. Katie has some really great gluten free recipes and the list keeps growing!It may seem daunting at first, but after a while you learn to substitute and try new things (remember those baby steps!). Plus there are so many gluten free products in the store now.But there is one thing that can challenge even the seasoned gluten … [Read more...]
Why a Gut Healing Diet may NOT be the Place to Start
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.When I first started my baby steps into the world of real food nobody talked about Paleo or GAPS or Keto. It was simple. Eat real food. Start with one baby step at a time and work your way up to a processed-free life. Totally doable. That’s what Kitchen Stewardship is all about, right?These days the world of real food and natural health is almost too overwhelming and too confusing to navigate. You can find a podcast, … [Read more...]
How to Use Beets and Why You Should plus Instant Pot Black-Eyed Pea and Beet Green Soup Recipe
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.If I could have a separate garden devoted just to beets I think I would. Yes, I truly think beets are that amazing. Both for their nutritional profile and taste! Not to mention how much bang you get for your buck! Cheap nutrition is always a bonus and always a goal here at Kitchen Stewardship!A couple weeks ago my husband came into the house with a bunch of beets from our garden. My first thought was, "Yes! Beets!" My … [Read more...]
How to Successfully Make the Transition to Homeschooling
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.It still feels strange every time the words "I home school my kids" come out of my mouth. Yet here we are, coming to the end of our first year. It was crazy, amazing, frustrating, exciting, challenging, blessed and everything in between.Really our entire last year was all of the above with the transition to homeschooling on top of moving to the country and starting a small farm. And I've loved every minute of this … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Instant Pot Mac & Cheese Recipe
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Sometimes I wish there was an easy button for dinner. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook! But with three little kids, home schooling, activities and work it's hard to squeeze it in some days. Sound familiar?But I have a little secret I want to share with you...kids love easy meals! Really. If you take your time and prepare an elaborate feast they'll probably turn up their noses. Keep it simple with grilled cheese and tomato … [Read more...]
Peach Cobbler Smoothie Recipe for Picky Eaters
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.There are a few parts of parenting that should be easy...and yet they are not. Like potty training, getting kids to sleep and feeding. All basic human functions that little humans don't seem very good at!The first two get significantly better after the age of five. But that last one can be a challenge from day one on. Feeding Kids is Fun! My love language is feeding people. Seriously. I am so happy if I can cook … [Read more...]
Nightshade Free Instant Pot Chili Recipe {In an Hour!}
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite. My family LOVES chili. I never have to worry about picky eating on chili night. It used to be a staple on our menu. Until we had to work around a multitude of allergies (including tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and beans). Then it became a once in a while meal for part of the family. I am the queen of substitutions, but you can only take out so many chili components and still call it chili.A Year of Blessing It was just a … [Read more...]
