I'm constantly amazed by the differences between my kids. Their personalities, their preferences, their talents, and their tendencies can be as different as night and day. This is certainly true in the realm of friendships. One or two of my kids have never known a stranger. They happily chat with the grocery clerk, the elderly neighbor they barely know, and even the bigger kid who was downright mean to them yesterday. On the other hand, one or two of my other kids really do like people (really, they do), but they have a hard time showing it. They are still learning that whacking friends in the head, ...Read More
Foods Baked Carrot Falafel (grain-free)
When I met my husband...I knew it must be love. Well, maybe I didn't know on the first date that it was love, but I knew we'd be best-foodie-friends. We both love trying new ethnic cuisine—Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern. Yes, all of it and more! If you enjoying trying new flavors like we do, you'll love this Baked Carrot Falafel. When we changed our diet and went gluten-free this definitely put a damper in some of our culinary adventures. We've adapted and learned how to enjoy many different types and flavors of food (even being gluten-free). Looking for gluten-free recipes and resources? This Everything Gluten Free ...Read More
Green Herb Tahini Sauce
My husband and I met on eHarmony. We quickly decided a face-to-face meeting needed to happen. First we met for coffee...after chatting for an hour when it was clear we were hitting it off, we decided food was in store. We found a delicious Middle Eastern restaurant. As I sat outside and listened to him chatter (he naturally talks a lot...but especially when he's nervous), we enjoyed a sampler platter with all sorts of delicious food. I wasn't sure what all the food was that day at the Middle Eastern restaurant, but it was all good. This green herb tahini sauce makes me think of that first date. Happy memories. What is ...Read More
Should You Be Your Child’s BFF? (the answer may surprise you)
Once upon a time, I would've said that I didn't want to be my kids' friend—at least not when they were still living under my roof. You see, before I was a mom, I was a public school teacher, and that season of my life left a bad taste in my mouth toward permissive parents who were more concerned with being fun-loving, peer-like buddies than role models and authority figures. Can you blame me? The entitled, disrespectful, self-centered children of those parents weren't exactly a pleasant addition to my classroom. But then I became a mom. I'll never forget the way my heart melted the first time my ...Read More
The Unhinged Church (When Interfaith Dialogue Goes Wrong)
It seems like some segments of the church today have become totally unhinged from reality. Earlier this month a Muslim law student was asked to read from the Koran during a Christian worship service in Glasgow Cathedral in Scotland. The provost of the church said he allowed this reading to “build relationships” between Muslims and Christians in the city. An admirable goal, to be sure, but what a strange and (I would say) blasphemous way to try to accomplish that goal—and this story provided a wonderful opportunity to pass on a valuable lesson to my kids. The Muslim student chose for his reading Surah 19, a ...Read More
Easy, Grain-Free Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic dish. I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't love it. But enjoying this while still eating grain-free can be a little tricky. My solution? Add more veggies! If you're grain-free, then spaghetti squash is definitely the way to go. It's easy to bake and shreds up quickly into a perfect paleo, low-carb version of every kid's favorite slurpy pasta. No more missing out on spaghetti and meatballs with spaghetti squash and meatballs: an easy, grain-free version of the family favorite! Spaghetti squash and meatballs... and kids. When it comes to veggies, spaghetti squash is a little ...Read More
Homeschooling Beginning Handwriting: Print or Cursive? What’s best for your child?
Hey homeschooling parents: are you struggling about print or cursive as you teaching beginning handwriting to your kids? While research is quite clear that writing by hand aids in cognition in a way that typing does not, the waters get a bit murkier when you try to discern whether to start your kiddos with print or cursive. And what about the print-cursive hyrbid, D'Nealian handwriting? It's quite difficult to find any really good studies on this matter. There are some studies looking only at small sample sizes. That's no good. There are other studies where one group of kids learned cursive and the other learned ...Read More
Blackened Broccoli and Shrimp (grain-free)
What is it about pregnancy? No really...puking, swelling, aches, pains...and on top of all that your taste buds change? Who decided that was a good idea? I have a confession to make: I haven't tried this blackened broccoli and shrimp recipe. I haven't taken one bite of this recipe. Not even one teeny taste test. But I had plenty of helpers (a.k.a. my family) taste-test this recipe. You may have guessed, but I haven't tried this recipe because I can't stand shrimp. It wasn't always like that. I liked shrimp until I was pregnant with my firstborn son. Ever since then, no shrimp and no coffee for me. Blackened ...Read More
