Samantha's New Trick

She claps! I love it! I can't help but say, "yay" everytime she does it. Have a good weekend everyone! Kimball and I are going on a date. Very excited for that! See you Monday :)

I'm sorry buddy...

Dieter is starting to notice that he gets different food. Almost always it is when we are at someone else's house. He'll ask for something and Kimball and I will have to say, "I'm sorry buddy. It's makes your skin itch." or, "It gives you diarrhea."

While I am glad that he is not eating certain things (sugar, refined flours, candy, all of that processed garbage with additives...) it still makes me sad to have to have to tell him no. I realize I don't do things mainstream but everyone wants to feel "normal" (whatever that may be).

Anyway, Dieter was thrilled when I asked him if he wanted some "candy". He is going to be the healthiest little boy ever! I don't know what you would call these...Dieter thinks they are "cinnamon candy".


{Recipe from Internal Bliss}

1/2 cup Ghee (You could use butter)
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2-3 TBsp Honey
1/2 TBsp Cinnamon
Dash of Vanilla Extract (optional)

-Bring the ghee and oil to room temperature.
-Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
-Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
-Scoop up about 1-2 tsp worth of cinnamon mixture and drop it onto the baking sheet, forming the shape of a "kiss". If the mixture is to runny, refrigerate it until it thickens up to a workable consistency.
-Refrigerate 20 minutes or until the kisses have hardened.
-Store in refrigerator.


*You can also pour the mixture into a candy mold. It can also be chilled in the refrigerator and rolled my hand to make truffles (this is a little difficult because the mixture will start to melt in your hands). Truffles can be rolled in ground nuts or shredded coconut mixed with cinnamon. Store in refrigerator.

My First Award!!

I have been given the Liebster Blog award and I am so excited!


It was given to my by Leigh Ann at Sew Blessed. Thanks Leigh Ann!


I get to give the award to 5 up and coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers! If you are a recipient, it is your responsibility to give it to 5 blogs and share the blog love!


Here are the rules:


1. Choose 5 up and coming blogs to award the Liebster award to.
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog. Show the bloggers you gave the award to and add links to their blogs.


And the winners are -



Victoria and Veronica at Bella Jean Boutique


Deana at Country Momma Cooks


Jennifer at Blissfully Ever After


Kimberly at Simply Living


Athena at The Stuff of Success


Be sure to visit these blogs! They are all wonderful and have great ideas!

He makes a good argument...

Can I tell you how much I love this book Nourishing Traditions? It's a whole foods cookbook but each page is loaded with facts, studies, and good information. I think every household should own this (if your into whole foods.)



I want to share a quote from it. I think it is so true...

"Doctor, is my baby all right?" is the first question of almost every woman asks when her child is born. I myself have heard the question thousands of times. If every mother's greastest wish is to have a truly healthy baby, why (in most cases) does she take such poor care of herself before the baby is born? And why does she feed her child from infancy the adulthood so improperly that illness inevitably results?

This century has been called "The Century of the Child" because of the tremendous interest in the physical and psychological growth of children. But as we look around us, where are these radiantly healthy children? Certainly their parents are anxious to rear healthy youngsters. Some eight thousand books on child care have been published in the last twenty-five years. Why then are the offices of the country's thousands of pediatricians and general practitioners filled with runny-nosed, tired, allergic, feverish, rundown, anemic, bespectacled, acne-ridden, to thin or obese children? The answer is simple:

(1) The mother's body was no fit environment for the child because her system was filled with wast products from improper food, drug residues, coffee acids, the poisons fo cigarettes and alcohol.

(2) The growing child is improperly fed, spends too much time watching television, is driven everywhere instead of walking and devotes too little time to exercising in fresh air.

Henry Bieler, MD Food Is Your Best Medicine

Momma's Farmhouse Apron Winner

Thanks to everyone for participating! This is such a beautiful apron!



I used a random number generator but I can't figure out how to get it on my screen :)

And the winner is...

Shabby and Frills. Congrats! I will contact you via email. Thanks again everyone! Be sure to visit Ruby Jean Shop. It's one of my favorites! :)

Vegetarian (or not) Minestrone

I loved this soup! And I think it kept getting better each day for leftovers. I had it vegetarian, but it would be so good with meat. I would have thrown in sausage if I had some. Also, I left out the noodles because I wanted Dieter to eat it. You could add any vegetables to this. I didn't have zucchini but I added broccoli.

7 cups Broth or Water
2 15 oz cans of Tomato Sauce
4 Tomatoes, cut up
1 Onion, chopped
2 cups shredded Cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced Zucchini
1 cup thinly sliced Carrots
1/2 cup Celery, chopped
2 TBsp. dried Parsley Flakes
1 clove of Garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Basil
1/4 tsp. dried Thyme
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1 cup small Whole Wheat Macaroni
2 cups Beans, cooked (Your choice. I used white)
Salt to taste
Opt: 1 pound Stew Beef, cut into cubes
Opt: Parmesan Cheese

-In a large pot over medium heat combine the broth, tomato sauce, tomatoes, onion, garlic, celery, cabbage, zucchini, carrots, meat, and spices.
-When water is boiling add macaroni and beans. Simmer.
-Ladle soup into bowls and add parmesan.

Oh, I missed it!

Samantha hardly ever cuddles (I try- she pushes away) She has been sick, so on New Year's Eve Dieter and I went over to my parents. When I got back, this is what I found...

I was glad she was sleeping but a little jealous of the cuddling :) (Kimball loved it. He said they bonded) Kimball and I are boring. He was in bed by 10:30 on New Year's Eve. I followed shortly at 11:00.

Here are some of my goals for 2012...

1. Heal Dieter's body through his diet.
2. Take piano lessons.
3. Really learn to sew.
4. Make my own cheese.
5. Pick up toys EVERYDAY before bedtime.
6. Go on a date with Kimball once a month.
7. Write in my journal 3-4 times a week.
8. Find time to read daily (I might have to give up napping for that. I know, I shouldn't be napping anyway...)

What are your goals? This is going to be great year!