As more parents begin their homeschooling journey, it's important to understand how to make the transition and the most effective way to start your homeschooling day. Let's talk about what morning time is and why you'll want to add it to your routine! Every weekday morning I have a goal in mind: 7:00. I want to have myself ready and the kids up by 7:00 so we can get a good start to our homeschool day. When this happens, we can usually knock out several subjects by 8:00! But our … [Read more...]
How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot
What's better than pressure cooked oatmeal? Cooking steel cut oats in the Instant Pot! Instant steel cut oats are a lifesaver for this family. Read on to learn why. 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 … [Read more...]
Is a Restricted Diet Necessary When Breastfeeding a Baby with Food Allergies?
After my fourth child was born (via my fourth c-section), I couldn't have anything to eat at first. It's the rule right after surgery, even though I hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours and my gurgly stomach needed something to settle down. But they did let me have some fluids. I remember asking for chocolate milk (it was all I could stomach at the moment) and thinking, "I hope this little guy tolerates dairy because I have to get something down." One week later I was 100% dairy-free. That may … [Read more...]
Salad Bar Ideas for a Kid-Friendly Dinner
You can tell a lot about our culture by the way kids eat. Recently we had some friends over, and my kids gave a little farm tour. When we stopped at the garden, we offered our guests a taste of fresh lettuce. The kids looked at us like we had just asked them to eat dirt. Then I looked over at my two-year-old who was joyously shoving leaf after leaf into his mouth, followed by, "more ettis!" Unfortunately, the dirt face is the more common reaction to lettuce or most things green. This … [Read more...]
What to Do With Fresh Strawberries and How to Freeze Strawberries
Every June it sneaks up on me – strawberry season. I’ve spent the last few months working through our freezer stash and home-canned goods. The weather is getting warmer, and we all want to live outside and forget about complicated meals. Then it hits me – it’s time to start preserving again! The first item on the list is strawberries. And, boy, am I thankful! Strawberries are one of the easiest foods to preserve! Today I’m going to share how you can easily preserve strawberries for the … [Read more...]
Signs of Dehydration in Children: How to Tell if Your Kids Are Dehydrated and What to Do About It!
Do you know the MOST important nutrient in the human body? There are a lot of really good ones like magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin C. But those are not at the top of the list. It's WATER. Plain and simple water. It makes up about 55-60% of your total body mass! You can go a long time without proper nutrition. But you can only go a few days without water. What are the Roles of Water in the Body? Water has so many roles in the body. They include: flushing toxins removing … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar in Kids (and How to Avoid “Hangry” Meltdowns!)
That uncomfortable feeling, the cross between hunger and anger, it's "HANGER"! It can be triggered by low blood sugar in kids - and adults too. Here's what you need to know - and how to keep that 'hangry' feeling at bay. Do you have a "witching hour" at your house? You know, that time every single day when your kids turn into grumpy little monsters that want to eat everything in sight...while you're trying to make dinner? At our house, it's 4:30 pm. It's like someone flips a … [Read more...]
What is Diastasis Recti and What Can You Do About It?
It happened to me. The thing no mom ever wants to happen. I heard those words: "I didn't know you were expecting!" Then the uncomfortable silence and a quick mumbled response, "I'm not." I was at the orthodontist for my oldest (trying to help her with mouth breathing!). That sure started the appointment awkwardly! And as someone that has dealt with the pain of both infertility and loss, those words really stung. I felt like saying, "Do you know what my body has been through?" Of … [Read more...]
What’s on Your Kids’ Feet Impacts How They Eat | Why Minimalist Shoes are Important for Digestion
Does your posture affect your digestion? It isn't something we think about, but our posture impacts our entire body, including how we eat. Since our feet are the foundation of our posture, our shoes can impact digestion. Add this to the benefits of minimalist shoes! Do you ever watch your kids while they eat? No, just me? I do it - a lot. It's my nature. I observe people. I even have a whole guide to teach other people how to observe their kids to figure out how they eat best! It's my … [Read more...]
Minimalist Footwear for Kids: What is it and Why They Need It
How do you feel about shoe shopping for kids? On the one hand, there are some insanely adorable shoes for little kids. It's hard to choose just one pair. On the other hand, children's feet seem to grow three feet overnight every time you buy new shoes, and they can destroy them in one day. But cuteness and growth spurts aside, do you put a lot of thought into your child's shoes? Do you simply go for what will fit their feet and your budget (without them throwing a fit)? If you've … [Read more...]
Why Weight Loss SHOULDN’T Be Your New Year’s Resolution | Digesting Well is More Important Than Losing Weight
Do you know what is happening on January 1, 2020? Nothing! Absolutely nothing. Maybe you're going shopping or watching football with a favorite game day appetizer dip and some chips. Maybe you're kicking off a new exercise routine after some holiday indulging. But me? I'm doing nothing. (Well, at least that's the plan in my head.) That is when my in-laws are leaving after I host the whole relation (which includes ten kids, ages 1 - 11) for several days for Christmas. So on January … [Read more...]
How to Be a Mind Reader When it Comes to Feeding Your Kids
My one-year-old is a pretty good eater. He generally likes most things and really loves it when he gets to try something new. But the other day he kept spitting his food out or just clenching his mouth shut altogether, refusing to eat anything. I was getting very frustrated. I was serving foods he normally loves. Then when he started sleeping poorly and refusing to nurse I knew something was going on. After some investigating, I realized he's cutting his two-year molars. #ouch Knowing … [Read more...]
{Series: Those Weird Veggies} Everything You Didn’t Know to Ask About Rutabaga + Scalloped Rutabaga Recipe
This post is a continuation of a series on "Those Weird Veggies." You can also read about parsnips and kohlrabi. Are you an avid gardener? Or someone that loves the idea of gardening...but just hasn't found the time for it? Or maybe you are quite content to leave the gardening to your local farmer? I'm not ashamed to admit that my husband is the gardener in our family. He grew up on a farm and has watched his own father garden for many years. I'd love to learn more...someday. But I … [Read more...]
Easy Breakfast for School Mornings: Granola Bar Bowl Recipe
Getting a healthy breakfast on the table for your kids before school is a common struggle whether you homeschool like Mary or have kids in school like me. I have a whole post full of tips and recipes for quick healthy breakfasts and this recipe is a great one to add to your rotation! Enjoy! -Katie We just started our fourth year of homeschooling. Each year it gets a bit more challenging to fit all of our work into the day as my kids get older and we add more work and more kids into the … [Read more...]
How to Teach Your Kids to Cook (In Just Two Weeks!)
Can you believe a mom of 4 could teach her big kids to cook in just 2 weeks?? I love that Mary used my online cooking class for kids, all three levels, every single day for two weeks, even while the toddler was underfoot! In the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, my kids and I teach your kids how to cook by introducing age-appropriate skills in a way that builds connection, confidence, and creativity. I'll help you decide if Kids Cook Real Food is right for your family, but first, prepare to be … [Read more...]
Do You Really Need to Take Supplements?
I’ll never forget my son’s last visit with the allergist. It was a new allergist as our old one had to retire. She came into the room, took one look at him, and commented that his feet were orange! A condition called carotenemia (and something we’re still working to eliminate several years later! Read about it here). I guess I never really bothered to look at the bottom of his feet. But sure enough, they were yellow/orange. Since we had to cut out a lot of foods from his diet due to … [Read more...]
Allergy Friendly Healthy Breakfast Hummus Recipe
I have four kids. They all have individual eating styles and food preferences. But in general I know what they like. Three out of four will eat what I serve without much complaining. Sure they have their favorites. But they eat most things. Then there is my four-year old. She doesn't play along so nicely (there always has to be one, right?). I have learned that I have to always ask her what she wants for breakfast. Always. If I make the "wrong" food there is no way she is eating it. And … [Read more...]
Low Sugar Gluten-Free Parsnip Cupcakes: Perfect for a First Birthday!
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 to a healthier diet. My oldest had a pink cake (yes, with food dyes) made … [Read more...]
How to Stick to a Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Diet Long Term (and not go crazy!)
If you're new to cutting gluten and dairy, start with Katie's post to learn how to go gluten and dairy-free with kids. If you know you're in it for the long haul, I've got you covered here with tips for a GF/CF lifestyle long term. 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 gluten sensitivity wasn't as rampant as it is today and gluten-free convenience foods were slim pickings. I was … [Read more...]
Should You Pay Kids for Chores?
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. I think I may have gotten paid a couple dollars each time I mowed for a … [Read more...]
