This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.My baby just turned one (sniffle, sniffle)! This is the fourth time we've celebrated a first birthday in our family...and it never gets easier. Something about that transition from baby to toddler is so hard for Mama!I think this one is especially hard, knowing it is our last time. I love watching my kids grow and mature. But there is nothing quite like snuggling a little one.Over the years I've baby-stepped my way … [Read more...]
How to Stick to a Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Diet Long Term (and not go crazy!)
If you're new to a dairy-free and gluten-free lifestyle, start with Katie's post with all of the rookie steps. If you are in it for the long haul I've got you covered here.This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I remember when I first made the decision to switch to a gluten free diet almost nine years ago. It felt pretty monumental. Especially since it wasn't as popular as it is today, and gluten free convenience foods were slim pickings.I was … [Read more...]
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.I am a morning person (don't hate me!).I kind of feel like I have to be with four kids. Getting up early is the only way to get anything done. I am also someone that wants breakfast as soon as I get up. Roll out of bed (or out of the rocking chair and lay the baby down as is the case lately), shower and EAT.This is a habit I started in college...and 20 years later it's still how I function. Up early. A healthy … [Read more...]
Should You Pay Kids for Chores?
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Growing up I did not have any chores. It's kind of sad since I was the kind of kid that loved to help. Even though my parents never assigned me any tasks I often vacuumed, took out the trash, made snacks for my siblings, and dusted. My parents missed a huge opportunity to teach me life skills when I was very willing.Once I was in junior high I started mowing our lawn. Not because I was asked to do it. I just wanted to. … [Read more...]
Every Parent’s Goal: Raising Responsible Kids
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Ah, January...Christmas is over. Winter is really setting in. The second semester of school is starting. Time for routines and a fresh start.Everyone is making resolutions. Maybe you want to eat healthier, lose weight, get stronger, pay off debt, cook more homemade food, start meal planning, get organized or simply slow down life a bit. Or you're like me and you don't really make resolutions, but adhere to these goals … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Sweet and Salty Snack Mix Recipe Kids Can Make
This post is from contributing writer Mary Voogt of Just Take A Bite.Without fail, every day right around 3:00 pm my kids rush up to me asking, "What can we have for a snack?!" I'm usually trying to feed their little brother or he's sleeping on me (which despite six months of me trying to tell them that's not the best time to ask me for things they continue to do it daily anyway).I've been teaching my kids to cook for quite a few years now. They are very capable in the kitchen. I think … [Read more...]
Family Favorite Grain-Free Avocado Taco Bowl Recipe
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...]
