Foods 
Skip the sugar-filled and processed cranberry sauce this holiday season. Start a new tradition and make your own easy homemade cranberry sauce! Holiday memories. Recently I asked my husband what he thought the quintessential Thanksgiving dishes were. Without a pause he answered, "Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. That way after the holiday you can make a killer sandwich." When I think back to my first experiences with cranberry sauce, it's not too pleasant. Like most with American family, cranberry sauce was a must-have during the holiday season - especially during Thanksgiving. But even though my mom was one ...Read More
3 Bean White Chicken Chili
3 bean white chicken chili is hands down one of my kids' favorite soups—really, one of their all-time favorite meals! I can always bet on smiles at the table when this soup makes an appearance because it's such a crowd-pleaser in my home! Beans: Dry or Canned? You'll noticed with this recipe, I've given you the option to use either canned or dried prepared beans. I personally recommend you use dried beans that you've prepared. I know, I know...they're not as convenient as picking up a can of bean at the store (which I'll admit, I've done on occasion to cut corners), but they aren't that hard with a little ...Read More
Finding a Good Lyme Doctor (yes, they really do exist)
I was one of the lucky ones. After over a year of my general doctor running tests and sending me to different specialists, I tentatively questioned if Lyme disease might be worth investigating. My doctor agreed: it was a good idea. But he also admitted that he knew the tests were terribly unreliable and I'd need a good Lyme doctor to help me figure out if this was indeed causing all of my mysterious symptoms. He referred me to a colleague who helped guide me through the early stages of Lyme testing and getting my diagnosis. I'll forever be grateful for my doctor's honesty. He knew he didn't understand Lyme ...Read More
5 Uplifting Essential Oil Blends to Fight Fatigue
Today, I'm going to talk a bit about some uplifting essential oil blends to help fight fatigue. We've almost made it a virtue in our culture to stay over-busy. Yes, I'm guilty of this too. We love to relay our war stories of how many different balls we are juggling and how sleep deprived we are. I've made strides to remedy this, but there are some things in life that are simply beyond my control (like...a baby that will be arriving soon and keeping me up nursing through the night). While it's smart to simplify and get the rest you need, for those days when you need a little pick me up don't reach for the caffeine ...Read More
Pumpkin Spice Latte—that actually has pumpkin in it (sugar-free)
Whether you're on #TeamPumpkinSpice or #TeamAppleCider (or you're a cross-over like me), this time of year is sure to make you happy! And if you enjoy the tastes of fall without all the added sugar, this sugar-free Pumpkin Spice Latte is sure to put a smile on your face. Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on. Less sugar. More pumpkin! Bad habits are hard to break — like driving through Starbucks for that overpriced and over-sugared latte. One of the keys to breaking those bad habits is to think of all that you have to ...Read More
12 Reformation Day Read-Alouds for Families
As I write this, it is the year 2017—and we are approaching the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's publication of his 95 Theses. So what? Why should we care about a terse piece of medieval theology written by a German monk a half a millennium ago? What makes October 31, 1517 famous is not necessarily what Luther wrote in his Theses—few Protestants I know are all that familiar with them. Rather, it is now a date fixed on the calendar as "Reformation Day" because of the debate his writings kindled in Europe. When Martin Luther nailed his Theses to the door at Castle Church in Wittenberg (or perhaps just mailed ...Read More
Almond Walnut Apple Crisp
Grain-free and missing apple crisp? Enjoy it once again with this easy and delicious almond walnut apple crisp! Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free page is a library of everything gluten free we’ve worked on. Mom's special dish Is there something your mom made when you were growing up that you always looked forward to? Something she made so perfectly, so deliciously that it was a treat? A meal or dish that you begged her to make almost weekly, but it was only for special occasions? For me, one of those special "mom" dishes was homemade apple crisp. My mom would make a big ...Read More
Breaking the Screen Habit
"Mom, can we play our tablets?" "Mom, can I watch something?" "Mom, can I play the Playstation?" Am I the only parent who feels like she deals with these kinds of questions almost constantly? Granted, that's partly because I have a larger-than-average number of children. But still, I can't deny the fact that screen time has become my kids' "go-to" activity whenever they have a free moment. Moderation Is Not Always An Excuse My husband has been extra alert to this lately, and to be honest, I've been dismissing his concerns (which probably merits an article of its own—ahem). You see, I've been excusing the ...Read More
