Vim and Vigor

Pumpkin smoothie

Pumpkin could definitely be classified as a superfood.  It contains vitamins E and C, potassium, beta carotene (the orange color will give you a clue about that).  Pumpkin boosts the immune system, is anti-aging (who wouldn't like that?), it REVERSES skin damage, and prevents tumor growth....most definitely a SUPERFOOD.  One I want to eat myself, and feed to my family.

Thus the problem.

Other than pumpkin pie, we had not consumed a lot of pumpkin..........until now.

We have found TONS of yummy ways to eat and LOVE our pumpkin.  One of these ways is pumpkin smoothies.  So healthy for you, yet it tastes like pumpkin pie!  Yummmm!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

3 cups of raw milk (could use plain yogurt, too)

1 frozen banana (in chunks)

1/2 cup or more pureed or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix!)

3 or more ice cubes for thickening

Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Dash of vanilla if desired

 

Whipped Topping

We took a cup of raw cream from the top of our milk jug, poured it into our metal mixing bowl, that I had run cold water on to cool down....then whip on high speed for a few minutes.  Add a touch of honey and vanilla to taste.  Whip until peaks form and add onto your smoothie with a dash of cinnamon....this is such a 'decadent' yet health promoting smoothie!

{This post is a part of The healthy home economist, Real Food Wednesday,  Works for me Wednesday 

 Pennywise Platter and Fight Back Friday}

                Blessings,

                Joy

 

This moment

This moment..inspired by Soulemama

Remembering:: Reminiscing::Reflecting

{This post is a part of Wordless Wednesday}

Smooth:: Creamy:: Raw:: Chocolate Pudding

::Banana::

::Avocado::

::Use thumb to slide out meat::

::Natural peanut butter or almond butter::

::Raw, {or regular} Cocoa Powder::

::Papa's {or anyone's} Maple Syrup::

:: Blend :: Lick::

1 avocado

1 banana

1/4-1/2 cup nut butter

1/8 cup cocoa powder

Maple syrup to taste

Play around with measurements, to get the consistency you prefer

 

{This post is a part of  Monday Mania,Pennywise Platter, Works for me Wednesday   Real Food Wednesdayand Fight Back Friday}

Joy

::Learning and playing together::

 

 A simple purchase of a tape recorder has produced many hours of fun for my little ones this week.  I purchased one that my 6 yr. old could operate on his own, which frees up some mama time.  It has a microphone attachment, which helps the kiddos know where to direct their voices, and I purchased some blank tapes as well. 

They have so enjoyed recording stories they've made up, songs with their instruments, as well as just talking about themselves, ( a favorite subject of theirs!)  Mr. S had it his entire 'quite time', (what we call his hour alone on his bed mid-afternoon), and recorded the whole beginning to the old A-team shows that we have been a little obsessed with at times on these cold winter evenings.  He said the opening lines, hummed the theme song, and said each character's name! 

The rhythm of our morning requires mama to give her attention to many different things, and there are times I need to give undivided attention to the older ones, or our littlest babe, or to just catch a moment to myself...(unheard of I know!)...so tape time has begun.

I've recorded some things on the tapes such as stories we already own, words of encouragement to the specific child whose special tape that is, bible verses, new songs to learn, building up their character, and so on.  They think these tapes are so special.  Some tapes are for the both of them to listen to, and I made them each one of their own as well.

Of course....little brother is listening in, too!  That's what works for us!

Have a lovely day,

Joy

This moment

 

Inspired by Soulemama...a moment to reflect on, remember, and cherish.

In my kitchen this week

 

 :: A lot of learning going on as usual--(We are a homeschooling family, after all.) We are loving some new puzzles around here; What's in the jar? (I drink out of mason jars a lot.) Miss Lady K helped me make a lovely juice in the juicer we are renting--I can't make a few hundred dollar purchase without trying it out first!  I believe it was carrot, apple, romaine juice.  Quite lovely, infact.  And, check out that outfit...have I mentioned her keen fashion sense?

::Found a couple of new turned favorite soup recipes.  Tortilla soup, and vegetable beef.  I've made many a vegetable beef soup recipes, and none compared to the taste of this.  My family was still raving about it at bedtime!

::When looking for a good postnatal vitamin, I was excited to find a new raw multi-vitamin from a company I love...Garden of Life.  Who new vitamins could be raw?

::Was visited by Heidi, Superman and the Mrs.....Superwoman, as well as Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett.  Can you find them in the pictures above?  Along with this cast of characters, we welcomed around 30 people in on Sunday.  There is nothing like having others over, to help your whole family serve together.  Planning, cleaning, serving others while they are here.  Loving others by opening our home.  The joy is twofold as I watch my children serve and enjoy others, and receiving the joy of the fellowship.

:: Enjoyed many a family meal together around the table...some a little rowdier than others.  We try to do this every night, always beginning with a prayer, and ending with all helping to clear the table.  One child and mama usually put away the food and clean dishes.  It's a wonderful rhythm, that keeps us grounded and bonds us as a family.

::Loving those avocados...especially on salads!  Healthy fats..so needed by our bodies!

::Snuggled, enjoyed, and got to know this new little person in our lives.  Welcome to our family our wee little man!

 

 

Homemade sausage, egg and cheese mcmuffins!

I had a fun idea the other day as I was meal planning.  Meal planning, by the way, is probably the #1 way I keep our food costs down.  I tend to  even plan our snacks...yet we don't adhere "strictly" to this plan 100% of the time.  But it's a wonderful tool to have as a guide through our week.  Anyways, my idea was to incorporate a favorite restaurant meal into our plan once/week.  And, we rotate who gets to pick what that meal will be.  Of course, that person helps make the meal as well!

First up was sausage egg mcmuffin's from Mcdonald's.  Now, the Mcdonald's version is not very good for you...but our version was quite healthy and very yummy!

First we took a pound of ground turkey, thawed it, and stirred spike seasoning into it.  This seasoning can be found at your grocery store or whole foods co-op.  We then formed them into patties and cooked them on the griddle. 

Second, we fried the eggs in a bit of coconut oil (so incredibly good for you..full of healthy fat and it has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, plus it ups your metabolism to help you lose weight!) We used a cookie cutter that was a circular shape, and cooked them in it to keep them round and fit into the mcmuffin better.

As these foods got done, we put them on a plate and kept the oven warm so they wouldn't be cold as we put the sandwiches together. 

Lastly, we butter some whole wheat english muffins, and thinly sliced some colby jack cheese..but you could use any cheese you like here.  We placed the cheese on the bottoms, and just buttered the tops.  Then, we placed them on cookie sheets to broil in the oven. 

After that, we put the sandwiches together...they were a huge hit, and everyone in our family loved them.  No guilt involved with these babies! That's what works for me!

Blessings to your family,

Joy

p.s.  Go to copykat.com to find recipes from restaurants that you'd like to try.

This post is a part of :

-Monday Mania

-Tempt my tummy Tuesday

-Real Food Wednesdays

-Pennywise Platter

-Fight Back Friday

-Frugal Friday

This "lady" of mine

This lady K of mine is going to change the world, I tell you.  One outfit at a time.  I'm not sure when it started....this love of clothing and dresses, I think around 18 months, yet maybe earlier.  But, it is a full blown passion now.  I think she changes her outfits at least 10 times on any given day.  She comes running up to me, a flouncy frilly dress in hand, a leotard, and maybe a tutu as well.  "Mama, help me get this on!", she says desperately.  Her little basket by her dresser of "returns" for clothes she removed during the day, is brimming full by nightfall.  That's okay though....let her imagination fly.

 

Layers are in I tell you.

Oh, yes.  Just ask any 3 year old girl you know, and she'll let you in on the trends in fashion these days.

They are not afraid to get into the elements in these outfits either. 

  Stains, who cares?  They just need to wear it, who cares how dirty it is?

 

 

 

 

And, we all want to look good on the job don't we....err...but, sometimes a little help is required, of course!

And what outfit is complete, without a bit of rouge?

Ahhhh...this girlie of mine.  My little diamond in the rough she is.  I can't wait to she how she shines!

Happy day all,

Joy

This moment

Inspired by Soulemama; A time to Cherish.  Remember.  Reflect on.

{This post is a part of Wordless Wednesday}

This moment

Inspired by Soulemama.  A moment to cherish.  Remember.  Savor.

{This post is a part of Wordless Wednesday}