Are you looking for an easy and inexpensive last minute gift? Here's the perfect thing! I made 2 dozen for teachers, friends and our girls' coaches. <3


Most of us have these ingredients in our pantry!

3 Cups Epsom Salts 
1/2 Cup Salt
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Red Food Coloring

Mix everything in a large bowl, EXCEPT THE FOOD COLORING. :)
Split the batch in two and add the food coloring to one batch. Stir well to combine. Pour into a mason jar (Or container of your choice.) Alternating the two colors until full. 

Directions for use:
Use 2-3 Tablespoons in the bath. Rinse off after using. So easy! 

This is a delicious and hearty soup. There is lots of room to improvise. You can omit the rice and substitute any of the vegetables. This is a family favorite in our home on a chilly night!





Ingredients:

2 lbs. Grass-Fed Ground Beef
3/4 cup White Rice
2 cartons Organic Vegetable Broth
4 cups filtered water
2 Organic Eggs 
2 tablespoons Organic Tomato Paste
4 Tablespoons Cilantro, Chopped
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
4 Organic Carrots, Chopped
4 Medium Zucchini, Chopped
6 Small Red Potatoes, cut in half
2 Serrano Peppers (keep whole)
Salt & Pepper to taste.

Method:

Sautee onion until softened and set aside. In large mixing bowl combine beef, rice, cilantro, eggs, onion, salt, and pepper. Form meatballs and place on a cookie sheet. My family prefers small meatballs but you can make them any size that you like. 

In a large stock pot or dutch oven add broth, water, tomato paste, and serrano pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add potatoes and carrots. Simmer on medium to low heat for about 15 minutes. Add meatballs, gently and continue to simmer for another 25 minutes.  Add the Zucchini in the last 10 minutes of cooking so it doesn't get mushy.  Remove the peppers and toss them. Serve warm and enjoy!

I'm sure you've all seen the cutest Thankful Trees on Pinterest, right? Well, my neighbor stopped by and told me she was making a paper Thankful Tree.  It got me thinking I should make one, too and this is what I came up with! 

                                                 24 squares for $12! You're going to love them!

I can't remember any other time in my life that I have loved my bedroom so much! We have the perfect mattress, sheets and space. We bought our first TV for our room a couple of years ago. Sometimes, its off for weeks at a time. We mostly use it to watch movies or when one of us is sick.  I love to just go in there to read or have a quiet moment, in a family of six, that time is precious.

We're moving in the next few months!  Since we will be buying some new furniture, my very practical hubby said I could start looking now but I can't buy anything until we're moved in. That way, we don't have to move as much and the furniture store can deliver whatever we buy. Genius. Love him! (The only down-side is that our house will be empty as I start selling off the furniture that I'm not taking with us.)

We've been on summer vacation for 3 weeks now.  It's been such a whirlwind! I've caught up on some crafting, cleaning, organizing and work.  The kids have had end of the year banquets, piano recital and volleyball tryouts. Every. Day. For. One. Week. Straight. Congrats to our Sophomore who has officially made the Varsity Volleyball Team! 

Tomorrow we get to actually enjoy some summer fun! We'll be going to my sweet neighbor's dad's house for a swim. My friend, Michelle at Home Hatchery posted this Chicken Salad recipe recently. I'll whipping up a batch for our pool-side lunch! Everyone loves company that brings good food, right? 

Check out Michelle's adorable blog! You'll love it!

Do you want to know the secret to getting kids to help with chores? Pay them!!! Allow me to clarify. Our kids have daily and weekly chores that they do not get paid for. Their chores contribute to the family, and that's that. We're a team and we take care of each other and all that we've been blessed with. We do reward them for extra chores. Last night, I made my list:

Dust shutters
Weed side yard
Organize book shelf
Water indoor plants
Turn compost
Wash dogs
Clean fridge
Hose down patio
Organize garage
Vacuum stairs
Dust family photo wall

Heck, I even threw in "make dinner" for the family for $10! So worth it!

All the chores have a dollar value ranging from $1- $10 depending on the amount of work and time required.

The Popsicle sticks have the chore written on one side and the dollar amount on the other. The way that it works is, pick a stick, do the chore, get paid, then choose another.

They're all saving for something so they are very motivated! ;)

I saw these really pretty glasses on Pinterest. They look a little Anthro. :)

Here's what you'll need:

• Stem-less wine glasses
• Q-Tips
• Acrylic paints

Dip the Q-Tips in the paint and dot away! So easy, my 8 year old helped! I'd love to make some gold or silver ones for the holidays. 

I've always had so much respect for our military men and women. I never imagined that we would be a military family. I married a chiropractor. I'm not sure what the stats are but I'm certain it ranks at the top of the list for safety! Our family practice is exactly 8 minutes from our home. My husband comes home for dinner every night. We often have time for breakfast together too as his day begins at 9am. I can easily pop over during lunch for a staff meeting or quick lunch. I'm just not military, law enforcement or firefighter wife material. Of course, God knew that! I love my life. I'm blessed. I'm comfortable.

You know how God uses trials to stretch our faith... You know that if you're not in a trail now, there's one just around the corner. In the economy and sovereignty of God, that's just how it works.

Our son, is 20 years old. He is my first born from a previous relationship in high school. Talk about a story of redemption! God makes all things new. He brings beauty from ashes, its true! I'm planning on sharing those details with you very soon. For now, lets fast forward to 2011.

Our son graduated from high school! More specifically, home school. Awesome! Exciting! New chapter!

College was not something he was even remotely interested in. His dream was to serve in the United States Marine Corps. Well, let me tell you, I couldn't be more proud of him. It takes a very specific calling for this, bravery and strong resolve.

We had several hoops to jump through over the past two years. In order to get physically ready, our son lost over 65 pounds! And not only did he lose that weight, he's gained a ton of muscle. I'm not kidding, this kid is strong. Although, homeschoolers are afforded the same criteria as public school to serve In the military, we hit a few bumps along the way. After meeting those there came, physical, written, and medical tests. Once he passed all those requirements, we got the green light.

Right now, we have a ship date (the start of Bootcamp) for October. I'm super excited and I'm nervous. I know my son will do very well. He'll literally be within an hours drive. I'm just not sure what our lives will be like without him. He's personality lights up a room. He's so funny! Even when I try to be upset at him, he makes me laugh. He's just a cool and sweet young man. My husband and I can count on him for whatever our family needs.

With all that said, I hang on to this:

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:15

And this:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

I know it will be tough. Many tears will be shed. He will be missed. But I also know, God's promises are true and HE will sustain us. I covet your prayers for my family!

~Very soon Military Mom to be ❤

I love learning about health and nutrition. I am not an expert by any means, but I am a concerned mom and I strive to feed my family nutritious food.  For many years I have purchased "organic" chicken. My thought process was something like this...no antibiotics or hormones, organic feed, it's more expensive than conventional chicken, must be better than Foster Farms right?  Well, not necessarily. Read The Omnivore's Dilemma and you'll know more than you ever thought there was to know about the conventionally-grown foods we eat. 

I'm thrilled about my latest local find! Actually, I have a super awesome sister-in-law and we both heard about this ranch around the same time.  It is called Primal Pastures and they're located in the beautiful wine country of Temecula, California. 

The ranch is family owned and operated. You can read more about Primal Pastures on their website or Facebook. In the meantime, check out just a bit of their philosophy.

I jumped at the chance to get my hands on some of their chickens. I went ahead and purchased the buy 10 get 1 Free Whole Chickens. They are 'pasture-raised, non-vegetarian-fed, worm-eating, bug srcatching, no-soy, no-GMO'.  It is hands-down the best chicken we've had.  The biggest difference that my husband and I noticed was the texture. It was noticeably more tender. Thank you, Primal Pastures! 

Eleven chickens probably won't  last us long.  With a family of six and three teenagers, we are right at the point were one chicken is no longer enough.  So, two roasted chickens for dinner it is.  

I was spoiled by my husband and kids today! Hope you were, too!

• 16 elegant menu spreads, including detailed shopping lists
• 100 delicious dishes perfect for any party
• Over 300 beautiful color photos
• Tips and tricks to make entertaining fun and effortless
• Thoughtful ideas on how to prepare dishes while enjoying the party you're hosting
• Shortcuts and sequencing suggestions to time everything just right

My family loves Painted Earth! My kids have been taking art classes, pottery classes and attending summer camps since my oldest son was 8! We just celebrated his 20th birthday. Geez, that makes me feel old! :) They have the best art teachers. We just adore Miss Sarah. 

In gluten free baking the biggest problem can be texture.  I have experimented with many combinations of Gluten-free flours and I have been successful (by trial & error) with many. Now I mostly only bake grain-free Paleo recipes, however, for a crowd or event I will use a store bought mix. My favorite is Pamela's Products. Locally, you can buy it at Henry's or Organic Roots.

Menu planning, love it or hate it, it's a must for busy families on the go. I have quite a large library of cookbooks. You could say it's a collection.  :)  Honestly, it can be a daunting and overwhelming task to go through so many books in search of the week's dinners. We have 6 people in our family and it's rare that they will request a specific meal. I'm really on my own and sometimes, I just run out of ideas. 

This is my husband's very favorite cake. It's just the right amount of sweet and so moist. And it's gluten and grain free, yippee!  The recipe is from one of the best and most beautifully done Paleo cookbooks, Make it Paleo.  I made it this week per my husband's request for his men's group. I didn't get to have a piece this time as I am on a Candida Cleanse and I am also on a get-in-shape-before-summer-program. More on those two topics later... For now, let's get baking!


Cake Ingredients:

3/4 cup coconut flour, sifted
1 tsp salt
10 eggs
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Preheat oven 325* F

In a small bowl, add sifted coconut flour, salt and baking soda.
In a large bowl combine eggs, vanilla. maple syrup and melted coconut oil. 
Add dry ingredients to wet and continue to blend.
Once batter is blended and smooth, stir in shredded coconut
Grease two 9-inch cake pans with coconut oil. (I like to line mine with parchment paper then oil.)
Pour batter into pans.
Bake for 35 minutes. Test with toothpick.
Remove cakes from oven and cool.
Slice each layer in half to create four layers of cake.
Frost with coconut frosting (or your choice of frosting) in between each layer of cake.

Frosting Ingredients:
16 oz full fat cream cheese
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup shredded coconut

Bring cream cheese to room temperature.
Blend cream cheese, maple syrup and vanilla with a hand mixer.
Stir in shredded coconut.
Use right away, or refrigerate. 

Hello, friends! I am so excited to be back on my little blog! Life has been a whirlwind of adventures since my last post almost a year ago. I cannot believe it's been that long. As busy as I've been with new things, homeschooling, work and everyday family life, I miss my blog. Truthfully, I'm reminded often by friends who want updates and look forward to recipes. Check back often as I'll be sharing some of my new favorites very soon!

Blessings,