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! In fact, one of the questions I get most often on my blog is how to … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe {AIP & GAPS Friendly}
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I just got an Instant Pot. Yes, I'm kind of late to the game here. It seems everyone has had one for a while now. (Still unsure if you should get one? Check out Katie's reasons why you should and 1 reason why you shouldn't)But I've held out. And didn't even get one until I got it as a gift!Why? Because I love my crockpot. It's one of my favorite kitchen appliances. I use it several times a week. And I'm never … [Read more...]
Keeping Hydrated isn’t all about 8 Glasses of Water a Day
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Everybody needs water to survive. It's a fact.But did you know not everyone needs the same amount? Eight glasses a day is not a rule you need to follow. In fact it was never recommended in the first place. You can read about how that came about and why it's not true here.This post - and that gorgeous water bottle - is sponsored by MightyNest. Watch for a special offer for you this week! Dehydration Is … [Read more...]
Easy and Healthy Breakfast Recipe – Candy Cane Smoothie Bowl
Simple Candy Cane Smoothie Bowl Recipe Print Prep time 5 mins Total time 5 mins A simple, nourishing smoothie topped with festive pomegranate seeds, chia seeds and grapes. Recipe type: Breakfast Serves: 4 Ingredients 1½ cups plain whole milk yogurt (regular or greek) or coconut milk yogurt 3 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey 1 capsule or teaspoon probiotics (whatever kind you use) (optional) 2 Tbsp. grass-fed collagen ½ small avocado pinch unrefined sea … [Read more...]
Is the Secret to Why You’re Tired and Overweight Too Much Water?
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Get up. Shower. Get dressed. Put on makeup.And fill my water bottle. That was me.Then remind myself periodically throughout the day to take a drink. Refill and repeat. Keep track of how much I drink. Make sure I'm getting my eight glasses at a minimum.Sound familiar?At the same time I was getting up super early every day to have time to get things done, nursing a little one full time, exercising every … [Read more...]
Are Essential Oils Detrimental To Natural Living?
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.What does a natural lifestyle mean to you?That's a good question. And not so easy to answer when you really think about it. There are so many components of a natural lifestyle. Sometimes so many that it's overwhelming! Essential Oil Boom One aspect of natural living that has really blossomed in recent years is the use of essential oils.When I started my real food journey in 2010 that was not a term I had ever … [Read more...]
