Jam on it

Making strawberry freezer jam is pretty darn easy.  I made eight jars for the girls in oh....30 minutes.  Here's what you do:  mash strawberries, mix in sugar, add pectin (thickens), pour into containers, let sit for 1 day and then place in freezer.  The girls love jam on their pancakes, almond meal waffles, biscuits, peek a boo eggs, in smoothies, and on PBJ's.  The best thing it tastes like fresh fruit.  Makes great presents too!  Get on it. 

Picture from For the love of cooking

almond meal

My kiddies love pancakes and waffles.  Here's a few tricks I use to add protein and less sugar to their morning treats.  If you make these from scratch or by the box, substitute half the mix or required flour with almond meal which is just ground up almonds.  Buy it at Trader Joe's for cheap.  Cut the sugary syrup by topping the pancakes with warmed blueberries mixed with a little raw honey.  You could also throw some freezer jam and coconut flakes on top. Here's the Everyday Paleo pancake recipe. Yummie.

cavekiddie diet

Way back illions of years ago...our ancestors ate veggies and meat...no bread carbies.  I kinda like carbs, Janae really loves carbs but I also see how they make us tired, feel full but empty, and hey...make us wanna eat more crabs.  I started the family on a modified cavekiddie diet, also known as Paleo, stone age diet. We are still eating dairy. From the book Paleo Everyday, Sarah Fragoso suggests a kiddie on-the-go breakfast of a hard boiled egg, almonds, frozen blueberries. Sound filling? You'd be surprised.  Fragoso bodly suggests you ditch the pop tarts, bread, flour, and chips and opt for pumpkin seeds, almond butter, coconut milk, almond meal and tons of veggies. Read her blog here. 

Free bowling

Oh... free feels so good. This summer kids + bowling = free. Sign up at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com, find your nearest lane, print your coupon, take the kids to local bowling arena, and throw some balls for nada.  Gotta love this.  Have an old bowling ball that you want to re-purpose?  Check out this cool way to spice up your garden. 

honey child

It's spring and our allergies have kicked in.  So a few weeks ago, I went to our farmers market and purchased a jar of local raw honey for $16.  The girls and I are allergic to grass, pollen, dust mites.  Digesting a wee bit of local honey each day can slowly build your immunity.  It's working.  Combined with sporadic nasal rinses and daily doses of Costco's Kirkland Signature Aller-tec we are all doing better.  No sinus infections in the last three months!  Read more here.

barrettes

The girls and I just made some fab little hair barrettes.  All you need are:  feathers, a piece of felt, a hot glue gun, an alligator pinch clip, silk flowers, and beads.  You can buy all of this at Michael's.  Here's the skinny - cut a small square piece of felt and hot glue around the barrette so it covers all sides.  Then hot glue the feathers one at a time onto the felt and finish with a flower.  Or you can stuff a few beads through a feather, then glue gun to the felt on the barrette.  Here's an eco-barrette made with organic cotton.  Kinda pretty and super easy.

we fly

We got back from "the land" last week and the girls flew for the first time.  Here are seven fly tips to ease your trip with the kiddies.  1.  Bring snacks like trail mix and fruit.  Or you could buy an airplane meal for $10.  2. Huh?  I said, ear plugs work.  They will slowly equalize pressure against the eardrum. Try Flents ear stopples eco-friendly ones.  3.  Stuff an extra shirt in your purse.  Your baby could throw up from the turbulence.  4.  Save money and stow your kid's luggage on the plane.  5.  Pass out the gum or sip water.  Swallowing and yawning as the plane is pressurized opens the ear-to-throat connection. 6.  Pack a small blanket for plane naps. 7.  Bring crayons, pencils and workbooks to pass the time.  The kiddies will love to pull the seat table to play.  Have fun!