Month: February 2016

No More Sitting on the Sidelines

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sitDo you sit on the sidelines with a younger child while your older children play?

We woke up to alot of snow today. It was a great day to go sledding! I’ve been hesitant in the past because I have a 2 year old that doesn’t want to go. She doesn’t even like to stand in the snow. I knew I would be holding her the whole time.

My Plan – the older 2 kids would go sledding, while I sat in the car with the youngest. Not my favorite thing to do since I don’t want to be the mom who sits on the sidelines. I’m also afraid of what other people will think. You know, the “I can’t believe that mom is letting her kids sled by themselves while she sits in the car” type of thought.

I stayed with “My Plan” for a few minutes, but then decided to get out and watch my older 2 – to actually participate in their life. As I stood on the hill watching my kids sled, a few thoughts crossed my mind. I could spend forever “waiting” to participate in their lives when there is a younger child. I stand by the sidelines with whoever is younger at the time and watch life go on.

What if my life changes and I eventually have to go back to work? I won’t be able to take my kids sledding during the week. Since I don’t know what my future will bring, this could be the last winter that I can be with my kids sledding. They aren’t home with me on the weekends.

I ended up putting my youngest down to stand in the snow while I went sledding down the hill a few times. It was so much fun! The oldest kids thought it was great that mom was participating too. I only sled a few times down the hill because quite frankly, the walk up is brutal. Also, after a few runs, the youngest had had enough of the cold and wanted to go back to the car.

It is definitely a dancing act, balancing all of my kid’s needs. It was worth putting her down just for a few moments to play with my older kids. Thankfully, she was compliant for a little bit.

 

Lessons Learned From My First Batch of Kefir

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I made my first batch of cashew kefir and learned a few things.

1. When it’s finished, fermented kefir will look different.  I left my jar out to ferment for at least 24 hours. It smelled yeasty, but didn’t really taste any different. Maybe a little watery. I thought I ruined it. However, a few days later, I let it sit out on my counter again see what would happen.

Low and behold, I started seeing bubbles. I don’t remember how long I let it sit out. It had to be 24 hours or less. This time it tasted like a carbonated drink. THIS is how cashew kefir is supposed to taste. I’m not fond of carbonated drinks, but I can tolerate the kefir knowing that it has healing properties with lots of probiotics.

2. Don’t let too much time go by before starting the next batch.  I didn’t know when to start my next batch. The directions said a week, but when does a week start? Considering that I had the kefir sitting on my counter twice, I was doubly confused. Did the week start the first time it sat out or the second?

I think I waited too long. When I made my second batch, it didn’t have as much carbonation in it. Much weaker. It was bubbly like it should be, but just tasted weak.

3. I don’t like the mason jars I purchased for this. My jars are too tall for what I am making, which makes it harder to hold and pour. It would also be nice to have a screw top lid. I don’t like the usual canning type lid. There might be separate lids available for purchase, but I haven’t looked yet.

Healing Leaky Gut with Homemade Kefir

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I have found many articles on the Internet talking about the benefits of drinking Kefir to help heal one’s body. There are special probiotic strains in it that will help repopulate the gut. This is especially helpful if you have leaky gut. I’m desperate to heal my body. I’m sick of being sick. I do see a naturopath, who has been helpful. But, I feel like I’m stuck in a rut right now. I can’t get over the hump to experience more healing. I’ve plateaued. I know I have some gut issues. Drinking Kefir makes sense.

I found this site http://www.culturedfoodlife.com/ that talks all about the benefits of fermented food & drinks. There are 3 types of feremented things to try – kefir, kumbucha, and fermented foods. All help heal the gut. I’m going to try kefir first.

I ordered some starter granules in the form of kefir packets. I bought some glass jars. Frankly, I only wanted 1 jar because I only need 1, but my local Walmart didn’t sell just 1 jar. I had heard that I can buy a cheap jar of pickles and use that jar, but I was afraid the smell of pickles would somehow stay in the jar or lid and make my kefir smell like pickles. So… I bought a 6 pack of 1/2 gallon jars, which happen to be a tad too big. Oh well…

I am making Cashew Kefir. Recipe here. I thought I would use Silk Cashew milk from the store, but only realized after the fact that the recipe suggested I make my own cashew milk from raw cashews. I wonder how my store bought milk will affect the recipe.

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I added the milk, then the kefir granules, plus sugar. The end result is below.

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Finished mixture

Now, I have to let it sit on my counter for 8-16 hours. I can’t wait to start trying it out!

 

Lessons learned from watching The Andy Griffith Show

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As I was searching for free things to watch through Amazon Prime, I saw that the Andy Griffith show was free. I started watching the first episode. My kids seemed to like it and asked to watch more.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the show. I used to watch it before we ditched cable. That was before kids. Now that I’ve had kids, I feel like I was watching the show through different eyes.

What caught my eye:

  • Opie said his prayers before bedtime
  • Good old family values
  • No bad language
  • No disrespectful talk by the kids toward parents or kids with attitudes
  • It had a simple message
  • I love how Andy spoke toward Opie, the tone of voice he used and his word choices

It was refreshing to see these things. I’m used to my kids wanting to watch sitcoms which I do not feel are altogether wholesome. Many are on a channel that has a mouse as a logo. How often do they see a child praying at bedtime? It’s a routine that I try to instill in my kids, but I sometimes wonder if they understand the point. To them, it’s just something I want them to do. But to see someone else do it, could have an even greater impact.

I loved how Andy spoke with Opie. While I know this is just a show, I gathered tips from listening to him. I could always be more gentler with my words. I’m quick to judge and don’t listen well. Andy was patient and always listened to Opie (well.. in this particular episode). I am not that calm, nor am I that “playful” with my kids. I’m more serious.

Overall, this was a show that I did not have to worry about my kids picking up something bad. Nor was it violent.

(My disclaimer is that I am basing all my opinions on this one episode. I don’t remember if all future episodes are like this, but I’m pretty sure that they are.)