Home School Plans for 2011-12

We have school year around, but since we don't try to maintain a full time schedule through the summer, the fall is still a time for getting into a routine again and beginning new curriculum.  Last year my three year old started doing "school stuff" while I worked with her sisters in the mornings, but this year she'll be learning her letters as well as doing her usual painting, peg board, counters, modeling clay, etc.  She's excited to begin doing some "big school stuff" with Mommy!  Here's what we've got planned for this school year.

My 9 and 11 year old together:
My Father's World:  Creation to the Greeks  (this multi-age core curriculum includes Bible, history, science, art, and literature)
Learn to Cook
"Growing in Music" from Rod and Staff Publishers

The 11 year old:
Saxon Math 6/5
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind:  Level 4

The 9 year old:
Saxon Math 5/4
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind:  Level 3
Explode the Code, Books 3 and up

The 3 year old:
Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve

Read Alouds:
We're down to the last two books in the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We've been reading these books for over a year (maybe closer to two), and I admit I'll be sad when it's over!  I haven't decided what we'll read next, but we've talked about the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery.  I'm open to suggestions!


Like most plans around here, these are not written in stone.  I'm liable to add to/take away from these as we find what works, what doesn't, or if I just come across something interesting that I want to try.  With the exception of Saxon Math and Learn Your Letters, though, these are materials we've used before and I expect that they'll continue to work for us.  I do intend to get a spelling curriculum for my 9 year old at some point, so that's at least one addition that will be made.  All in all, I'm very excited about this year's line-up!

Cloth Diapers: Some Lessons Learned

A friend's little girl enjoying nature in her cloth...how cute is that?

We've been using cloth diapers for about two years now, and I'm so glad we made the switch.  It hasn't always gone so smoothly, though; a lot of trial and error was involved in finding a cloth routine that works for us.  Here are some lessons I learned along the way.  This isn't meant to be a complete usage and care guide, but maybe you can avoid some of the trial and error (and a few leaks and rashes)...

• Prefolds and covers work best for us.  Maybe I never tried the right brand(s), but AIO's and pocket diapers are harder to wash and leak more in my experience.  I have had more success replacing the microfiber inserts that come with most pocket diapers with hemp inserts instead.  Even then, I much prefer prefolds and covers for durability, ease of washing, affordability, and reliability.  I'm sure this is one of those personal preference things and others will differ, but that's just my two cents.  
• Speaking of microfiber, it stinks.  Natural fibers, like cotton prefolds and hemp doublers, are easy to keep stink-free, but I haven't found a way to de-stink microfiber (if you have, please let me know).  
• Velcro allows for a more customizable fit, but snaps last longer.  I do love velcro for ease and fit, but after a while, even if I'm really careful to always fold in the tabs before washing, they begin to get un-sticky.  If you need your diapers to last through multiple children, snaps might be the way to go.
• While we're talking about velcro, do make it a habit to fold in the tabs before washing.  They will definitely stay sticky longer if you do.
• I love Snappis!  Snappi'ed diapers keep covers clean so they last through more changings, and that makes my life easier.  
• I've always used homemade laundry soap for my dipes just because that's what I use for everything else.  To prevent soap build up, I use a scant 1/4 cup of soap (along with a 1/2 scoop of oxygen cleaner) and I run several extra rinses.  I imagine how much you need to rinse will depend on what you wash with and your local water, but err on the side of caution; soap build-up causes a nasty chemical reaction with your baby's urine that will result in a red, blistery rash.  If you ever do experience build-up, pour a pot of boiling water into the rinse to strip your diapers (you may need to do this more than once).
• Most baby clothes nowadays are not made to fit over cloth diapered bums.  This wasn't actually a problem with my daughter; her hiney is so narrow that the cloth actually helped her clothes to fit better.  My son is a different story.  He's extra husky and his church clothes (khaki shorts/pants and the like) do not fit over his cloth diapers, so we've resorted to using sposies for services and have been doing this for a while now (we use these Earth's Best TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers, if you're interested).  It's a compromise we're willing to make, but if you've got fit issues and are adamant about not using sposies, you may consider getting this Big Butt Baby Pants pattern that's specifically for cloth diapered babies and tots.   

I hope I haven't made it all sound more complicated than it is.  Cloth diapering really is simple and rewarding.  There are so many advantages other than just saving money (and that's a big one!).  Cloth is cleaner and healthier, in my opinion.  I feel better about putting pure cotton on my babies' skin rather than the who knows what kind of chemicals that are in disposables.  Since I figured out what soap build-up is and how to prevent it, our babies have experienced fewer rashes in cloth than in sposies. If you breastfeed, you'll be happy to know that diaper blow-outs are much less likely to occur in cloth than disposables.  It's also worth mentioning that modern cloth diapers are really, really cute.  I just love a soft, fluffy cloth diapered bottom!  This is certainly not and exhaustive list of the pro's, but I think you get the point...I'm a fan.             

Build Your Wall

This is a little plug for a wonderful Christian edification website maintained by a friend of mine called Build Your Wall.  The site includes a daily blog (that I contribute to on occasion) where many, many topics relevant to the Christian homemaker are covered.  You'll find practical, Biblical applications for Christian living, parenting, marriage, financial stewardship, etc., and her husband contributes on Fridays with a "Father Friday" post just for dads.  Check it out!  

My Theme for 2011

I've just been introduced to the concept of a New Year's theme.  Instead of setting lots of individual goals, a theme is larger, umbrella goal that would direct one's decisions in the coming year.  Does that make sense?  It did to me, so I've set my mine for this year.  My theme will be PRESENT.  

I don't want my kids to remember me as distant and distracted, so I resolve to be more present in 2011.  In the past, my resolutions have focused more on productivity.  I'm sure I'm not the only stay-at-home mom who tends to overcompensate in the productivity department.  You know what I'm talking about, right?  Never mind that I accomplish more before breakfast than most people do all day, I "don't work."  I've come to realize, though, that the most important thing that I can produce on this earth is a love for God, His Word, and His church in my children.  I have to be present to do that.

The Dilemma and Some Proposed Solutions

How can I get everything done and still be present?  My commitments to God and my husband are preeminent.  I'm not willing to compromise on nourishing meals.  Home school must go on.  The house needs a keeper.  It seems like a daunting dilemma, but here are some steps I've taken so far:

• Waking up earlier.  Getting up earlier allows me to get the big stuff out of the way.  I start the day with Bible study and prayer, and getting up an hour earlier allows me to get my daily household chores done before the kids get up.  This way, I'm more relaxed during our group time in the morning.  Instead of hurrying through school so that I can get to my housework, menu planning, bills, or whatever, we can cover material more thoroughly and can enjoy more discussion on topics that are especially interesting to them.  I never thought I'd be a before 6am riser, but I've enlisted an accountability partner to text me at 5:30, and it's working out well so far.  (I recommend the Maximize Your Mornings blog series and free eBook at Inspired to Action.)
• Continuing with FlyLady.  If you're not familiar with FlyLady's system for creating housekeeping routines, I highly recommend that you check it out.  I started in October and I'm baby-stepping toward a home that practically cleans itself.  An ordered house means a cool, collected mom that has time to have fun with her kids!   
• Speaking of fun, I'm really trying to seize more opportunities to just be silly and have fun with my children.  I tend toward "all business," and I'm pretty sure my kids think I'm way too serious.  How hard could it be to lighten up and have some "fun mom" moments?  
• Prayer, study, and more prayer! 

In case you're wondering, I do have some food goals, too, but maybe that will be another post...
What are some of your goals for the new year?

Two for One Menu Plan

Sourdough Pasta

My menu plan last week never made it from my brain to cyber space, or even paper (I did have one, mind you).  For the sake of record keeping and future menu planning inspiration, I'm listing our evening meals from last week before I get into my usual randomness and this week's plan. 

Sunday, 10/31
Leftover chili and pinto beans

Monday, 11/1
Chicken Divan, sourdough artisan bread

Tuesday, 11/2
Beef pizza on sourdough crust, fried cabbage

Wednesday, 11/3 
Beef stoganoff with sourdough pasta, baked sweet potatoes

Thursday, 11/4
Canada Day!
Sourdough crepes with yogurt cheese, strawberries, and maple syrup
Tourtiere (meat pie; my version had a sourdough crust, sprouted lentils & shredded carrots), poutine (french fries with gravy and cheese), and sugar pie

Friday, 11/5
Bible Study Night!
Roast beef sammies on homemade bread with homemade lacto-fermented mayo, gingerbread with spiced whipped cream

Our very first yard egg

Thursday, we finished up our two week study of Canada and marked the occasion by enjoying some really yummy Canadian cuisine (or at least my version of it).  We've also been having tea since apparently they still do that in some provinces.  We've quite enjoyed it; I imagine we'll continue to have afternoon tea whilst using our best manners (and worst English accents) every chance we get.  I guess the most exciting event of the week, though, was my husband picking up our new backyard flock of chickens Friday morning.  We're now the very proud owners of nine Rhode Island red hens and one rooster.  Yes, very soon there will be lots of fresh eggs on the menu!  Speaking of menus...    

Sunday, 11/7
Soaked oatmeal
Lunch out with friends
Beef, lentil & potato stew, sourdough honey whole wheat bread

Monday, 11/8
Toast and eggs
Chicken and dumplings, baked sweet potatoes

Tuesday, 11/9
Muffins
Lasagna, baby limas

Wednesday, 11/10
Soaked oatmeal
Fried rice with beef & veggies

Thursday, 11/11
Skillet pancakes
Crock pot ragout, sourdough artisan bread

Friday, 11/12
Eggs, hash browns
Crock pot soup

Saturday, 11/13
Sourdough waffles
Leftover buffet 

Captain Sourdough's Menu Plan for 10/24-10/30

Yep, that's me.  My 8 year old dubbed me "Captain Sourdough" the other day and cracked herself up quite a bit (she KILLS herself sometimes).  I am pretty engrossed with sourdough these days, but it's just SO fun!  I love that my 2 year old has been "making sourdough," too, or at least that's often her answer when asked what she's doing.  I mentioned last week that my older two girls started their very own, real live sourdough starter, so I thought I'd share some pics of their success.  The pictures above are on Day 3, and look how bubbly and active already!  If you're interested in the health benefits of sourdough, but haven't yet taken the plunge, let this be an encouragement to you; even an 8 and 10 year old can get a healthy starter going!  Check out the Sourdough eCourse at GNOWFGLINS if you haven't already and get started!  Did I mention that it's SO fun?  (In case you're wondering, I am not an affiliate GNOWFGLINS and have nothing to gain by recommending the eCourse...I just really love what they're doing over there!)


Sunday 10/24
Soaked oatmeal
Chinese cabbage & rice (this was on the menu last week, but we ended up having leftovers that night), baked sweet potatoes

Monday 10/25
Sourdough biscuits, fried eggs
Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, baby limas

Tuesday 10/26
Breakfast cake
Chicken & rice soup, cornbread

Wednesday 10/27
Soaked oatmeal
Pizza with sourdough crust, broccoli

Thursday 10/28
Banana sourdough muffins
Beef brisket, potato salad, squash, sourdough bread

Friday 10/29
Sourdough cinnamon rolls
Fall party with weenie roast!

Saturday 10/31
Sourdough waffles
Leftover buffet

What's Been Cooking and Menu Plan for the Week

Long time, no menu plan...

We've been kind of off routine and out of sorts since our trip a couple of weeks ago, and I've just been moseying along with no menu plan.  Even so, I thought I'd let y'all know what's been cooking lately.  I'm still loving the Sourdough eCourse at GNOWFGLINS, so of course we've had lots of sourdough goodies!  My 8 and 10 year old daughters even made their very own sourdough starter last week per Erin's instructions and they cooked up some delicious apple muffins with it over weekend!  Some other things I've made from the eCourse in the past week include:

Cheese and Herb Crackers

Ready to go into the oven

My toddler could live on these things.  They are SO addictive.

 Roast Beef and Cheese Crepe Cake

Mmmmm...beefy, cheesy, melty yummness

  
Cinnamon Rolls

Before turning them out

Here they are turned out with all the ooey gooey goodness from the bottom of the dish!

Artisan bread

Waffles

German Pancakes (a modification of the skillet pancakes shared by an eCourse member)

Pumpkin Muffins

Chicken and dumplings were requested for last week, so I made the dumplings from rolled and cut bucket dough from the eCourse.  Sourdough dumplings!  They were really good!  Also on the non-menu last week was Homemade Pizza Rolls.  I followed the sourdough cinnamon roll recipe, omitted the sweeteners, and filled with pizza sauce, ground beef, and cheese!   I also kneaded some herbs into the rolls.  Delicious!  These were a hit!

So, that's what's been cooking in my kitchen during these weeks of blogging silence.  Here's what will be cooking in the week to come! 

Sunday, 10/17/10
Sourdough coffee cake
Leftover Buffet (we've got lots of leftovers this weekend!) 

Monday, 10/18/10
Grass-fed beef sausage, soaked whole wheat biscuits
Nourishing chicken nuggets, french fries, broccoli 

Tuesday, 10/19/10
Soaked oatmeal
Sausage, veggie, and pasta soup 

Wednesday, 10/20/10
Sourdough cinnamon rolls
Slow cooker lentil brown rice casserole 

Thursday, 10/21/10
Lemon muffins
Chinese cabbage & rice 

Friday, 10/22/10
Mexican Fiesta Day*
Breakfast burritos
Homemade tortillas, various fillings, sopapillas   

Saturday, 10/23/10
Sourdough Waffles
Leftover Buffet for lunch
Hamburgers at TrueFields' Farm Day for supper...yes, we're Southern and we have supper : )

*For school we're using My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures this year, so we'll be having a different ethnic feast every other Friday as we work through the countries!

Marathon Cooking & Camping Food

1 minivan

+

1 pop-up camper

+

4 kids across 6 states and back in 7 days

+

how many meals is that?

=

1 very busy mama!   

Yep, we've got a big trip coming up in a few days and I've been cooking up a storm in preparation.  No menu plan this week...I'm winging it since we're running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get everything ready!  I've done some marathon cooking today and we've got lots of freeze-ahead goodies to show for it.  Here's a peak...

1

16 Whole wheat hot dog buns,

A batch of regular whole wheat buns,

2

2 dozen soaked granola bars,

   33 Coconut peanut butter cookies,

H

Homemade breakfast cereal,

and

11 hamburger patties.  

All of this went into the freezer along side a beefy enchilada bake, a magnificent casserole, a couple of toaster oven sized pre-baked sourdough pizza doughs, and pizza toppings that were already in there (I've doubled a few meals lately to have extra for the trip).  Whew!  Now, we've just got to figure out how to fit all of that food into the van! 

Menu Plan 9/12-9/18

Sourdough tortillas

 We're in the midst of a gospel meeting, so Sunday's menu is a little different.  We have a fellowship meal after evening worship when we kick off a series of meetings, so I have a simple lunch on the menu plus dishes for the evening fellowship meal.  The meeting will last through Wednesday night, so I'm keeping it simple on those nights:)     


Sunday, 9/12
Soaked oatmeal
Sourdough english muffins, eggs, grits (lunch)
Chicken and dumplings, rolls (for fellowship meal) 

Monday, 9/13
Sourdough banana muffins
Beef stroganoff (homemade sourdough noodles), broccoli 

Tuesday, 9/14
Sourdough skillet pancakes
Chicken and smoked sausage jambalaya, baby limas 

Wednesday, 9/16
Cinnamon-apple baked oatmeal
Beef stew, homemade bread 

Thursday, 9/17
Toast, eggs
Beef burritos (sourdough tortillas), black beans, fixings

Friday, 9/18
Sourdough cinnamon rolls
Chicken fried rice

Saturday
Sourdough skillet pancakes
leftover buffet

Running Behind Menu Plan 9/5-9/11

I mentioned in another post that I enrolled in the Sourdough eCourse at GNOWFGLINS, and I am loving it!  I've always used my sourdough starter at least a couple of times a week, but I'm inspired to use it even more now.  This menu plan reflects that!  Even if you don't have a starter, check out this eCourse; the first lesson will show how to start and care for one. 

Sunday, 9/5
Soaked Oatmeal
Pork chops, rice, gravy, sweet potatoes, GBC (a.k.a. green bean casserole)


Monday, 9/6
Organic grits, bacon
Chicken divan, sourdough bread

Tuesday, 9/7
Strawberry Banana sourdough muffins
Beefy pitas, hummus

Wednesday, 9/8
Sourdough English muffins, eggs 
Beef pot pie, baby limas

Thursday, 9/9
Baked oatmeal
Chicken noodle soup (made with homemade sourdough noodles), sourdough bread

Friday, 9/10
Sourdough cinnamon rolls
Mini pizzas, sourdough spice cake (bi-weekly bible study time again!)

Saturday, 9/11
Sourdough pancakes
Leftover buffet/sandwiches

9 Tips for Eating Well on a Budget

A few people have expressed to me recently that they'd like to change the way they feed their families, but a) they don't know where to start, and b) they're afraid it will be too expensive.  These are legitimate concerns that many of us have had at some point.  I've thought a lot about the "where to start" subject and I have a few suggestions, but first I want to address the cost of nourishing food.  We live on one modest income and we eat pretty well, so I feel fairly qualified to advise in this area.

•  Menu plan and budget!  This is first and foremost.  Eating well on a budget absolutely requires planning, especially if you're just starting out toward healthier eating.  Once you get into it and have a good healthy meal rotation, you can afford to be more general in your planning, but I really believe that you need some sort of system when trying to stretch quality foods and your dollars.  I won't go into any depth on money management, but if you don't already have a budget, take the time to make one and stick to it.  You won't regret it!  I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.
• Swap the bad for the good.  High quality food may seem expensive, but if you consider the soft drinks, processed snacks, and boxed foods you won't be buying, $4-5 a pound for a pastured chicken probably won't bust the budget.  Start by swapping those expensive, chemical laden cold cereals for nourishing and frugal old fashioned oatmeal or eggs for breakfast (check out this blog post for tips on how to replace breakfast cereals in your kid's diet and why you should do so NOW).
• Focus on frugal, but nutrient dense food options.  These include homemade bone broth, eggs, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and organ meats (such as liver...I know, I know, I'm still trying to talk myself into that one, but it is very nourishing and very inexpensive).  Another great option is wild game.  If you're blessed to have a family member who hunts, you have access to frugal, pastured meat!  Just try to convince your hunter that "baiting" his game with Round-up corn is not a healthy practice (seriously, Dad, bad idea!).
• Meat:  Choosing quality over quantity and making it stretch.  Quality over quantity is especially important with meat and dairy purchases...It can also be really hard for those of us who pride ourselves on bargain shopping.  Before I knew the dangers of meat/dairy/eggs of unknown origin, I loved stocking the freezer with "bargain" meats from supermarket sales (read about the hidden costs of industrial food).  I didn't have to think much about stretching my meat because it was so cheap!  Now, I roast one pastured chicken every Saturday, debone it, use the meat for two meals during the week, and make a few quarts of broth from the bones. Similarly, you could stretch your grass fed beef by using half a pound of ground beef in chili or casserole recipes and compensate with extra beans or veggies.   
• Make it yourself.  Cooking from scratch saves a lot of money!  However, if you're new to cooking from scratch, don't overwhelm yourself.  Start by learning to make one thing that you would normally buy packaged.  Homemade bone broth is something that anyone can do and it offers so much nutritionally (The Benefits of Bone Broth).  Consider learning to make soaked whole grain tortillas.  They're frugal, easy, delicious, and much better for you and your little ones than the store bought kind.  Once you've mastered a few recipes, you can graduate to learning to bake bread.  Believe me, unless you were somehow blessed with innate baking skills, it can be a frustrating process; when faced with bread failures, take a breath, take a break from trying if you need to, but do try again.  I've made my fair share of bricks and I've got a freezer full of bricks-turned-bread crumbs to prove it!  If you're already an experienced baker, consider purchasing or starting your own sourdough starter.  Sourdough breads provide for optimal digestion and bio-availability of nutrients from the whole grains, plus not buying yeast means saving even more money.  I highly recommend GNOWFGLINS Sourdough E-course if you're ready to go sourdough (no pre-set fee is charged for the course, but they accept "pay as you can" payments).  I've just signed up this week, and I've learned so much already!  
• Make your own household cleaners.  There are so many reasons to do this; homemade natural cleaners are better for you and your family than chemical ones, they free up more money that you can put toward good quality food since they cost next to nothing, and it's so nice not having all of those bottles of products that are just for one specific cleaning job.  There's not much that plain white vinegar, baking soda, or a combination of the two can't clean.  I occasionally use oxygen bleach (OxiClean), but I don't have even a fraction of the cleaning product clutter that I used to have.  No chemicals or fumes to breathe is also a major plus if you or your kids have allergies or skin sensitivities (not to mention, you can put those little helpers to work with a cloth and a bottle of vinegar solution with no worries!).  So many pros and I can't really think of any cons, can you?  Get started with these articles for recipes and tips for frugal, natural cleaning:  Top 5 Homemade Cleaners and Simple Routines for Homemade Green Cleaners.
• Look to the Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen.  If you can't afford all organic (I can't), The Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen is a great guide for buying produce (there's even a handy iPhone app).  Stick to conventionally grown items from the clean fifteen, but avoid non-organic items from the dirty dozen.   
• Prioritize.  Make the health of your family a priority.  What's more important, a fancy gadget, a new beauty product, or nourishing food that will keep your family well?  When I'm tempted to buy another cute outfit for one of the girls or a kitchen gadget that I can live without, I have to remind myself of all the good food that I can buy with that money.  It may be hard at first, but in time it will become second nature to avoid buying "stuff" so that you have more money to invest in your family's wellness (the doctor's bills you won't be paying will be further motivation!).
• Don't stress.  Finally, don't stress about the things you may not be able to change right away, or even at all.  Do what you can when you can and rest knowing that even the smallest changes can improve your family's health in big ways.      

So, these are some of the ways that we make real food work with our budget.  If you follow some of the links to other blogs that I've included and browse around, I'm sure you'll find many more.  I realize that what works for me might not work for you, but I hope that at least something in this list causes you to have a "Hey, maybe we can manage this!" moment!  I'll follow up with a post that addresses where to start when you're ready to take the real food plunge!

This post is part of Simple Lives Thursday at GNOWFGLINS.
     

/

New Fave Sourdough Biscuit and Menu Plan

I've found a sourdough biscuit recipe that we love!  I tried these from Sarah's Musings last Saturday when I had a hankering for some biscuits and didn't want to wait for a soaking period.  The only modifications I made were to sub organic palm shortening for lard (still haven't rendered that pig fat), and I dipped the biscuits in bacon grease on both sides before baking instead of brushing them with butter (yes, I did!).  They were SO good.  I felt sort of naughty using all purpose even though my sourdough is whole wheat, so I decided to modify the recipe a bit this morning to include a soaking period for all whole wheat flour (since sourdough makes quick work of phytates, you wouldn't have to soak as long as you would with other acid mediums, so still not a terribly long wait).  They turned out fabulous, so this may be my new go-to biscuit recipe.  I imagine I'll still make Sarah's white flour version every once in a while, too, when I have a hankering and just can't wait ; ) 

Sunday, 8/29
Soaked oatmeal
Baked chicken, rice, gravy, sweet potatoes, sourdough biscuits

Monday, 8/30
German pancakes, pure Grade B maple syrup
Pizza w/ sourdough crust,  fried cabbage

Tuesday, 8/31
Oatmeal raisin muffins
Tortilla beef skillet, black beans

Wednesday, 9/1
Baked oatmeal
Bar-b-que chicken sandwiches on homemade buns, broccoli

Thursday, 9/2
Toasted buns, eggs 
Chicken and rice, cornbread, cream peas

Friday, 9/3
Scrambled eggs, sourdough biscuits
Goulash, mashed potatoes, baby lima beans  


Saturday, 9/4 
Sourdough pancakes
Leftover buffet 

Back to School Menu Plan

Technically, we started school Wednesday, but this will be our first full week back...with one tiny interruption; my oldest daughter got braces Thursday and she's already knocked a bracket loose, so Monday we're heading back to the orthodontist for the third time in a little over a week.  I have a feeling they're going to know us really well before long.  School is going really well so far, though.  We've started year one of the multi-age curriculum from My Father's World, and we're loving it!  I especially like that the girls are getting a solid foundation in Creation-based science, and I'm learning right along with them!  It's really fun and I love the structure and routine of school days, but I haven't had as much time to post.  Alas, I do have some recipes coming up soon, plus I'll be posting about my first lard rendering experience!  That is, when I actually get around to doing it!  I've got fifteen pounds of pastured pig fat in my freezer that's been calling my name.  Very, very exicited!  

Sunday, 8/22
Soaked oatmeal
Chicken and dumplings, baked sweet potatoes, purple hull peas

Monday, 8/23
Blueberry muffins (a whole wheat, soaked overnight version of these)
Beef and cheese roll-ups, black beans

Tuesday, 8/24
German pancakes
Nitrate free hotdogs, homemade buns, Creamy mac and cheese, broccoli

Wednesday, 8/25
Baked oatmeal
Italian stew w/ green beans

Thursday, 8/26
Scrambled eggs, hashbrowns
Cheesy chicken & pasta casserole, baby lima beans

Friday, 8/27
Toast, nitrate free bacon, eggs
Deviled eggs, cheddar sourdough biscuits, chocolate sourdough cupcakes w/ cream cheese icing (hosting a bible study, so there will be other finger foods, as well)

Saturday, 8/28
Sourdough pancakes
Leftover buffet

Menu Plan for 8/15-8/21

We've had family here this past week and we've been wingin' it on meals!  We've had some good ones!  My 3rd daughter's 2nd birthday was Tuesday and I made a delicious AND wholesome chocolate sourdough cake using the recipe at GNOWFGLINS.  Truly the best of both worlds, I don't think I'll ever need another birthday cake recipe!  The cream cheese icing was a little naughty with organic powdered sugar, but it was just a tiny birthday splurge.  It's been a fantastic week with family and the break from planning has been really nice, but I've got to say that I love my menu scheming!  Lots going on this week, so it's a simple one.

The big girls decorated their little sister's cake with a little help from Meme

Sunday, 8/15
Soaked oatmeal
Roast chicken, rice, gravy, sweet potatoes, broccoli 

Monday, 8/16
Eggs, soaked whole wheat biscuits
BLT's   Fried Rice w/ leftover rice and veggies

Tuesday, 8/17
Muffins
Baked spaghetti, green beans

Wednesday, 8/18
French toast
Tortilla Beef Skillet

Thursday, 8/19
Soaked oatmeal
Casserole from the freezer (appointments in town all day)

Friday, 8/20
Sausage, soaked whole wheat biscuits
Chinese cabbage and rice

Saturday, 8/21
Sourdough pancakes
Leftover buffet/sandwiches

Chocolate Sourdough Cookies

If you don't like sourdough, you won't like these cookies.  They have a very distinct tang that works really well with the chocolate (or at least we think so). My kids and even my normally anti-chocolate husband love these!

I bet you think I really like this plate.  Well, I do.

1 cup sourdough starter

1 3/4 cups sprouted or all-purpose flour (I used AP; I can't get sprouted locally and shipping is pricey)

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup virgin coconut oil or softened butter

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup rapadura (or sweetener of choice)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

	In a large bowl cream the butter or with the rapadura. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and the sourdough starter. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Mix the dry ingredients gently into the wet and you'll get soft, high rising cookies.  Over mix and you'll end up with flat ones.  Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.   Variation:  I think these would be really good with Amish friendship bread starter in place of the sourdough starter.  I haven't actually tried it yet, but I thought I'd throw it out there.  It might be wise to reduce the sugar slightly if you try it.
	This post is part of Tuesday Twister at GNOWFGLINS.

Happy Anniversary Week Menu Plan

This is such an exciting and busy time of year for us.  We're gearing up for school amidst the excitement of several upcoming family and church  events.  This week's big event is our wedding anniversary on Tuesday, August 3rd!  I'm looking forward to celebrating another year with the best husband in the world!  We have an amazing marriage and I'm so thankful for his companionship.  He's been so patient and supportive through our real food transition.  I love him for letting me bore him to tears with dizzying amounts of health information, for eating my sometimes failed food experiments without a single complaint, for letting me get a beehive despite his dislike of buzzing things, for putting up with all the jars of ferments and cultures that live in our kitchen, and for trusting me enough with our family's nutritional needs to stand behind my judgment even when it goes completely against the mainstream health and nutrition grain.  This list could be much longer; he really is the most patient man I've ever known and I thank God for him everyday.

This is sad, but this is the most recent picture I could find of Nick and me and it's from '07 (daughter #2 took it, hence the up angle).  Ok, I admit it...it's actually the most recent picture I could find of us when I'm not pregnant!  What can I say?  I'm usually the one behind the camera!

This is what I'll be feeding that sweet man and the crew this week: 

Sunday, 8/1
Soaked Oatmeal
Chicken breasts, mushroom gravy, rice, purple hull peas, cornbread

Monday, 8/2
Soaked whole wheat biscuits, eggs
Beef and veggie soup

Tuesday, 8/3
Breakfast casserole
Barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches w/ soaked whole wheat buns, fried okra

Wednesday, 8/4
Soaked oatmeal
Hot Tamale Pie, lima beans
 
Thursday, 8/5
French toast, blueberries
Chicken and rice w/ carrots, soaked whole wheat honey rolls


Friday, 8/6
Egg and nitrite free bacon sandwiches (on leftover rolls)
Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta w/ broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots

Saturday, 8/7
Chocolate sourdough waffles w/ peanut butter & maple syrup
Leftover buffet


(Note:  This is a bit more bread than we'd ideally eat in a week, but I don't plan on doing any major shopping and I'm trying to stretch the ingredients I have on hand!)  

Amish Friendship Bread: The Real Food Remix

 

Late last summer I received one of those fun baggies of Amish friendship bread starter along with an instruction sheet and basic recipe.  I kept it up for several weeks and made countless variations of really yummy, not so healthy bread.  Fast forward to the fall, and I was still keeping up some starter for myself (I had exhausted the list of locals that were interested in getting their very own baggie by this point), and I had morning sickness.  Yep, 24/7 nausea complete with a hyper sensitive sense of smell.  I couldn't go anywhere near my kitchen without smelling the sickly sweet yeasty smell of Amish friendship bread starter.  Forget about actually opening the bag to feed it or make bread.  So, I put my baggie in the freezer to use another day.  

Flash forward to early this summer, and we're well into our real food journey.  I got to thinking about that baggie in my freezer and the moist, cake-like breads I could make with it.  Yum!  Then, I remembered the pudding mix and loads of cooking oil the recipe calls for.  Not so yum.  So, I found an Amish bread recipe that didn't call for pudding mix and went from there.  To my neighbors' relief, I decided to forget the whole feed, split, share routine; I just keep my starter in a glass jar with a lid and feed it enough to keep it going for my uses.  I do, however, share loaves of baked bread!      

                           

Friendship bread starter in a jar.  Looks appetizing, no?

The Method

When I decided to thaw my starter, I had trouble finding specific instructions for thawing on the net.  I wasn't sure if I should feed my starter right away or wait and "mush" the bag a few days first.  I finally decided that it really doesn't matter.  Amish friendship bread starter is basically just a flavor enhancer and doesn't really need to be active or mature like a sourdough.  So, I thawed it out overnight, fed it right away with one cup of whole wheat flour, one cup of rapadura, and one cup of milk, and proceeded to make a batch of friendship bread.  Since that initial feeding, I've been feeding 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 milk, and 1/4 cup of rapadura; rapadura is expensive and half the sugar is still plenty to sustain the yeast in the starter.  I feed about once a week.  I shake my jar a little whenever I think about it.  You wouldn't know it by those fussy instruction sheets that get passed around with the bags, but this stuff is really very forgiving.

The original starter had been fed whole wheat flour and white sugar, so my first few batches of bread did have some white sugar in them.  Not a huge deal to me, but if you want to start a 100% naturally sweetened starter (or you just haven't been blessed with a baggie of late), you can follow the instructions here to start your very own...even if you're not Amish.  Really.  Just substitute whole wheat for all purpose flour and rapadura, or natural sweetener of your choice, for the sugar (I haven't tried it with honey or maple, so not sure how a liquid sweetener would work; it may be okay if you reduced the milk?).  

The Recipe 

1 cup starter
2/3 cup virgin coconut oil, butter, palm shortening, or combination (bread will not be as moist if you use all butter)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup rapadura (the original calls for 1 cup of sugar, but we like it fine with half of that, even with my less sweet starter)
2 cups whole wheat flour (I sometimes use pastry ww flour)
3 eggs

1/2 cup mashed banana, shredded zucchini, or applesauce
1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Optional mix-ins:  raisins, chocolate chips, berries, nuts 

If you're not worried about soaking overnight to reduce phytates in the whole wheat flour, you can just mix these ingredients and bake them at 325 degrees in 2 well greased loaf pans for 45 minutes to an hour (I know this seems like a wide range, but it really depends on your oven, mix ins, etc.; mine usually takes 50-55 minutes). 

If you do want to soak, mix the starter, flour, oil, and rapadura in a non-metal, non-plastic bowl.  I'm not positive that this starter is acidic enough to break down phytates, so I throw in a TBS or so of whey just to be sure I'm not soaking in vain (you could use yogurt or cultured buttermilk instead of whey).  Cover your bowl with a plate, and leave on the counter overnight.

Expect a really thick batter.

After the soaking period, mix in the rest of the ingredients except for the optional mix-in's (don't over-mix).  Gently fold in the mix in's.  

It's still pretty thick even after the rest of the ingredients are mixed in

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship bread.

Caveat:  Don't turn your back on fresh friendship bread if you have a hungry toddler in the house...

...you might just end up with a chunk missing before you even get a chance to take a picture of it out of the pan.

This post is part of Tuesday Twister at GNOWFGLIN'S!