Homeschooling 
For a while I taught college level courses, which means I put myself through the trial of grading their research papers — and I can say with confidence: things are looking bleak in the world of education. Don't get me wrong. I loved the subject matter—I taught music appreciation and history. I love preparing the lectures. I loved watching the students get excited about the things they were learning. But the experience taught me (the hard way) that many people leave high school not knowing the first thing about how to write a decent research paper. What makes a BAD research paper... As I read their research ...Read More
5 Steps to Naturally Reduce Allergens In Your Home
50 million people in America experience allergies. With those kinds of statistics, chances are you or someone in your family unfortunately also suffers from allergies. Finding ways to naturally reduce allergens in your home can sometimes seem near impossible. Creating a clean home environment is the best way to reduce and eliminate allergens that act as irritants. Dust, mold, dander, dirt, pollen and more find their way into your home every day. Removing or reducing these irritants is the best thing you can do for allergy sufferers. Cleaning your home from top to bottom every day is impractical. Taking small ...Read More
5 Things You Should Know About St. Patrick (+ FREE Printable Pack for K-12)
I was walking through a store yesterday and my eyes were accosted by all things green. Friends, you know St. Patrick's day will be upon soon when you see shirts emblazoned with words like "Lucky," "Beer," and "Kiss me, I'm Irish." And what of the great American classic — the shamrock shake (Side Note: if you're looking for a healthy alternative to the Shamrock shake without all the sugar try this Mocha mint shake or this mint chip smoothie)? It's my strong suspicion that Maewyn Succat (ie. Saint Patrick) would have never imagined what the anniversary of his death would one day become. I'm not suggesting we ...Read More
Foods 10 Tips for Going Gluten Free on a Budget
When it comes to penny-pinching, the grocery budget is generally the first place most people start looking for a way to slash. Unfortunately, for those of us on a gluten-free diet, slashing the grocery budget can seem next to impossible. The average blog post, Pinterest tip, or TV segment generally has little to offer when it comes to saving money on a specialty diets. But don’t lose heart. It can be done. Looking for gluten-free resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on. ...Read More
Super Easy Mexican Shredded Meat
The only time I buy pot roasts is when there is a buy-one-get-one-free sale. Recently I had two such roasts in my refrigerator that needed to be cooked immediately. To shake things up I decided to create this super easy Mexican shredded beef with one of the roasts. It turned out simply delicious! I'm a little obsessed with Mexican food—to say I love it would be putting it mildly. We have several Hispanic families who attend our church, and let me tell you, since they started attending our potlucks have become simply amazing. There's nothing like the flavors of authentic Mexican food. Can I get an "amen"? This ...Read More
Easy, Healthy Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
I have a confession to make. I'm a frustrated foodie. I love to cook. I love to experiment and take time creating new recipes. But with three little ones running around the house, culinary technique falls by the wayside for quick and simple recipes that sometimes lack the amazing flavors that I love. Not with this recipe however. I was THRILLED when I found out how simple it was to prepare chicken drumsticks on the grill. These grilled chicken drumsticks are not just amazingly easy and healthy, but one of the best tasting recipes I've made in a while. Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten ...Read More
5 Things You Need to Know Before Choosing Public School at Home
Am I crazy for considering "public school at home"? It's that time of year again. Time to figure out if the homeschool curriculum you've chosen is working and begin making plans for the fall. Quite frankly I love our current curriculum. We are using Time4Learning.com: it's affordable, enjoyable for the kids, and fits with the rhythms of our family—meaning it's not teacher intensive. And yet I'm questioning whether or not this will still be the best choice for our family next year. One of the best things about homeschooling is, of course, flexibility, and yet I'm debating about doing public school at home next ...Read More
DIY Essential Oil Nighttime Lotion
With its light smell and delicate apple flavor, chamomile tea is one of my favorites to relax with in the evening. When I set out to create a nighttime lotion that was both relaxing and safe for children, chamomile was the first essential oil I turned to. Much like lavender, German or Roman Chamomile is a very safe oil, and like lavender, chamomile promotes calming and relaxation. As an added bonus chamomile may help support a healthy immune system too, a definite plus when creating a lotion for my family.* Nighttime Lotion Ingredients This recipe can be made with either chamomile or lavender essential oil. ...Read More
