Foods 
Potato salad is one of my favorite summer cookout foods. At least once a summer I must eat my mamas' amazing potato salad. There's really nothing else like it! The only problem with it is it's not very nice to my blood sugar levels. Fortunately, I've found a recipe I can enjoy on a regular basis without worrying about my blood sugar. This faux-tato cauliflower salad recipe satisfies my potato salad cravings (and lets me get some more use out of my new Instant Pot). I'll be the first to admit cauliflower will never taste exactly like potatoes. As much as we try to make cauliflower into pizza, rice, mashed potatoes, ...Read More
Top 7 Natural, Non-Toxic Sunscreens
I'm a big fan of the sun. In addition to lifting your mood, the sun does some amazing things for your body. But I do recognize there are times when sunscreen is necessary—like that all-day trip to the beach. And if you're going to be using a sunscreen on the largest organ of your body (your skin), it's important to make sure it's a natural, non-toxic sunscreen that won't cause more harm than good. That said, please don't underestimate the importance of getting sun exposure everyday sans the sunscreen. Chemical Sunscreens vs. Barrier Sunscreens There are two categories of sunscreens: barrier sunscreens and chemical ...Read More
DIY Homemade Sunscreen: Ditch the Chemicals
Homemade sunscreen is a great way to protect your biggest organ (your skin!) and avoid all the nasty chemicals in the store-bought version. Usually we skip sunscreen. Because—for real—why would you want to block all of the amazing benefits of the sun? Don't know what I'm talking about? Stop right now and read this article first! But as much as I'd rather frolic in the sun all day with no sunscreen, there are times (like spending the whole day at the beach) when we've needed to use a bit of sunscreen to make sure we don't turn into burnt lobsters. But there's just one problem: most commercial sunscreens ...Read More
The Family Guide to Summer Stargazing
If you know me even casually, you probably know that I am an astronomy geek. When I was a kid, I was fascinated with the stars, and that fascination drew me to books about black holes, distant planets, and supernovas. Now that I'm older and a little more of a fuddy-dud, I use astronomy as an excuse just to lay outside on a nice summer night. Stargazing can be a very enjoyable family activity if you do it right. Below is a simple guide for viewing the night sky this summer. (The following advice is good for those who live in the northern hemisphere.) Read the Sky Like a Map With just a little bit of training, ...Read More
Fun in the Sun: What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Sun Exposure
My husband needed to have a work day at our house. I needed to get the kids out because nobody likes crazy screaming kids around while they work. Our first stop was the splash pad. It was a hot day. As I walked toward the splash pad I saw several moms slathering their kids up with Coppertone and Banana Boat. I cringed a little bit—oh, the toxins. Everyone approaches time in the sun a little differently. Some just take the doctor's word for it and keep their kids covered up and coated in a thick coat of sunscreen at all times. Others swear their granny spent every day outside, got burned plenty of times, but ...Read More
Homeschooling Homeschooling 8th Grade: Our Curriculum Picks
The older my kids get, the more excited I get about their school. Don't get me wrong, it's fun watching my little ones learn the basics (though admittedly, I really don't like teaching the basics). But there's something about the rich topics they get to dig into as they get older that makes me wish I could go back to school! I admit it—I'm a total nerd and would be a perpetual student if given the chance. I guess the next best thing is getting to learn a little beside my kiddos. 8th Grade Curriculum Picks This year is Bradley's 8th grade year and he's got some amazing things he'll be learning! Ready to eavesdrop on ...Read More
Homeschooling 4th Grade: Our Curriculum Picks
Our second born, Cameron, begins his 4th grade year this year. We've really found a good pace with him this past year and we're continuing on with pretty much all of the same curriculum and anticipate that it will be smooth sailing (well, mostly). ;) Cameron's a very motivated and focused learner. He likes having his weekly checklist and checking off each day's work. It's been such a delight watching him become more and more independent this year. Math: CLE Math 4th Grade We are continuing with CLE Math for Cameron this year. His very favorite subject is math, and he has really excelled using this ...Read More
Easy, Naturally-Sweetened Chocolate Ice Cream
This easy, honey-sweetened chocolate ice cream is the perfect, nutritious treat for a hot summer day! Summer meals... I don't know about you, but the hotter it gets, the less time I want to be spending in the kitchen making meals. As the year progresses, our meal planning inevitably starts looking a little like this: Breakfast: smoothies Lunch: salads or sandwiches Dinner: ice cream It might not seem like the most exciting menu, but everyone is happy to eat it! And that's worth something to a busy mom, am I right? Want some more ice cream inspiration? Check out this awesome cookbook: Candida on Ice with over ...Read More
