3 Common Summertime Toxins (& How to Avoid Them)

3 Common Summertime Toxins (& How to Avoid Them)

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Learn 3 common summertime toxins - and why it's ok to put your kids to bed dirty, as long as it isn't THESE items. Reach for natural products before chemicals.

Big confession: My kids only get a bath about once a week.

*cringe*

*Waits for mean trolls to threaten to call CPS.*

No one?

Oh good.

It’s actually not good for our skin and our microbiome to bathe every day, but I know for some people once a week is pushing it. And in the summer, oh my goodness, it IS! We have upped our baths a ton in the past week now that Michigan has finally decided to give us summer weather.

Every day this week my kids have been caked in sunscreen, dirt, sand, and lunch. There are bugs in buckets and leaves in hair and – not kidding – even dirty NECKS going on around here.

It makes me squirm when they’re that dirty, but at least it doesn’t make me worry about their health.

On the other hand, if they were smeared with conventional sunscreen, sticky from sugar-free popsicles and in a cloud of brand-name bug spray, I’d be worried.

Summer is so. much. fun. But it’s also rife with hazards that you don’t always encounter the rest of the year – and I’m not talking about the obvious, immediate ones like falling out of trees or having water accidents.

I’m talking about the hidden, long-term effects of chemicals we put on or in our bodies more superfluously when we spend a lot of time outside.

Here are 3 simple choices to make to avoid the common summertime toxins.

EnviroKlenz is a new sponsor and I’m loving their products because as a non-toxic company, they value getting information out there that will keep your family safe. To improve your indoor air quality, get the stink out of your laundry and sporting goods without putting chemicals in, or clean up an odorful spill, they’ve got you covered.

1. Choose Alternatives to DEET When Fending Off Bugs

DEET is NOT carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

It’s NOT hormone-disrupting.

Nah, it’s just likely neuro-toxic. Just one little old thing.

Neurotoxicity means it may cause:

• insomnia
• mood disturbances
• impaired cognitive function
• seizures

And really, my measuring stick for “should I use it?” is usually not, “Is it proven to be harmful and how much will it hurt my family and how perfect is the research?” It’s more like:

Has it been around more than 100 years?

Is there a more natural alternative that probably works just as effectively?

If it’s a relatively “new” thing created by humans – new meaning measured in decades, not centuries – then there haven’t been long-term enough studies for me to know that I won’t hurt my great-grandkids by using it with my kids.

And if there is a better option, then why am I even bothering to look at option number 1?

In this case, the harmful effects of DEET are questionable, and because there are questions, I’m going to explore the alternatives rather than be assuaged by researchers saying, “Millions of people have been using this for 50 years, so it’s fine.” <<< my paraphrase

Right.

‘Cause there certainly aren’t any unexplained rises in disease in the last 50 years. All is well. (<<<sarcasm)

And when scientists still aren’t quite sure how DEET works on insects (we’re a long way off on their to-do lists), I’m not quite sure I want it on my skin – the largest organ in the body and responsible for interacting with the world – and absorbing things.

There are better ways, though!

It’s not hard to find natural insect repellents – my family tested over a dozen of them! It takes some fiddling to find the one(s) that work best for your family, only because of the way natural bug sprays work: they typically synergize with your own body, which means that no matter what MY findings were for which ones sent mosquitoes flying away from our body, visibly, you still may have to try a few to hit the jackpot.

I did include a chart of the ingredients in the brands we tested, so you can determine what works for you and then choose only brands with your own secret-sauce components.

If you’re a DIYer you can also find plenty of non-toxic homemade insect repellents, including some as easy as planting the right stuff in your garden.

2. Run Away from Chemical Sunscreens

Ah, now here’s the cancer.

And the hormone disruptors.

All those long, active ingredients in conventional sunscreen – oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, octisalate and more – impact your endocrine system and also may even increase free radical activity in your body, the genesis of cancer.

Lovely.

I just shared our 2016 update to the huge natural sunscreen review, bringing our total tubes tested to over 70! Really and truly! Our babysitter went to put sunscreen on the boys this week and reeled back from the mud room bench, saying in surprise, “Oh! There’s just…so many!”

I’ve been writing for 7 years about the dangers of conventional sunscreen, the ingredients to avoid, and how there’s as much estrogen in conventional, chemical sunscreen as the birth control pill. (Check out the video in that last one that demonstrates the dangers of sunscreen spray!!)

Sunscreen safety is a passion of mine, and it kills me that so many parents still don’t get it – that when they’re trying to do the right thing, to prevent sunburns and skin cancer by slathering or spraying their kids with sunscreen – that they may actually be making matters worse in other ways.

It’s a horrible rock-and-hard-place situation for families, and it makes summer a treacherous time to be sure.

But there are alternatives, mineral-based sunscreens that are not only non-toxic and not carcinogenic or hormone disrupting, but I’d venture to say that many are even good and nourishing for your skin, because the ingredients are the same as fine lotions.

There are plenty of mineral sunscreens that absolutely stink, though – they go on like white out or paint drying, they run off in the water, or they gum up in the tube. Don’t go shopping without finding out which FIVE I recommend out of those 70 we tried!

If you are checking out a brand that I didn’t review, first of all, tell me so I can get it for next year. Second of all, I want you to be able to evaluate ingredients for yourself too, so grab this one-page cheat sheet on what to look for and what to avoid – you can take it to the store with you!

3. Watch for Sneaky Artificial Sweeteners

artificial sweeteners in kids' juice at the roller rink

What we put ON our bodies is important, and what we put IN our bodies is probably even more so.

We find in the summer that we eat far better because of fresh produce from local growers, but yet sometimes far worse because of parties, potlucks, cookouts, the temptation to make an easy meal of brats on the grill, and of course the fact that all the frozen treats in the world begin to call our names.

It’s common for kids in the neighborhood to have popsicles mid-afternoon and share with anyone who’s around.

What’s the risk here?

Sugar? Artificial colors?

Sure, those aren’t great, but they’re not as evil in my mind as artificial sweeteners, which are a relatively new chemical NEVER tested on children long-term! We have zero idea what will happen to kids if they’re exposed to aspartame, Sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium and others.

I’m constantly seeing them now in those popsicles that are in the clear plastic sheaths. Marketers label them “less sugar!” which sounds healthier, so parents buy them. But they’re not safe for kids!

Think you don’t have artificial sweeteners in your house?

Go check any bubble gum your kids have. Any lower calorie drink, sports drink, 100-calorie drink, and even some regular old juices marketed for kids. Check your toothpaste. Any lower sugar yogurt.

They’re sneaking into a LOT more foods and drink lately, not just things labeled “diet” or “lite” like it used to be. It drives me nuts! Artificial sweetener is our one non-negotiable, but it slips by more often because of how food processing companies are beginning to use it. Icky, icky.

Read about the hazards of artificial sweeteners HERE, please!

Is the Natural Life Possible?

Yes, emphatically yes!

We don’t need to seek perfection in all things, but if we can just learn to read ingredients, think critically about what we put on and in our bodies (and our children’s bodies), and try out the natural options before the chemical, we can truly have a non-toxic summer.

We might even have time to bathe our kids more than once a week.

Or, as is more often the case, we play hard outside all day, relax a little too long at dinner, get tempted by a walk after dinner (maybe to the ice cream shop? No sugar-free cones though!), and start bedtime routine far too late. When it’s a call between proper sleep and a bath, we typically go with less-cranky kids, meaning more sleep.

So when I kiss the heads of those sleeping little angels on my way to bed, I can sigh in satisfaction over a day of sunshine and outdoorsy stuff…I can breathe in the scent of mineral sunscreen, citronella oil, good clean dirt and little boy sweat…and as my lips slightly stick to his face, I can know that my dirty little boy is at least clean of the stuff out there that will actually hurt him.

There’s always time for a bath – or a water gun fight – tomorrow.

Don’t wait until tomorrow to make non-toxic choices for your family, though! What else do you want to try to avoid this summer?

Disclosure: EnviroKlenz is a June sponsor receiving their complimentary mention.

Original article and pictures take www.kitchenstewardship.com site

28 Reasons to Not Hate Winter

28 Reasons to Not Hate Winter

Poor, sad winter. It’s always picked last for the Favorite Seasons List. So misunderstood, so lonely. So freakin’ cold.

I recently read an article that has stuck in my mind called “The Norwegian Secret to Enjoying a Long Winter.” It talks about how the mindset you choose is everything.

I admit to being a bit of a winter Scrooge in the past. I’ve complained and whined and bemoaned the seeming eternity of the season. I’ve pouted and stewed in my own pessimism, and browsed all-inclusive vacations in tropical locales I couldn’t afford.

But this year I’m determined to turn over a new leaf (snowflake?), and choose a happy attitude during the upcoming winter season.

Studies show that optimists have healthier hearts, among other health benefits. Since I’m currently working on healing some long-term health issues in myself, a better winter attitude is a good move.

So, with those thoughts under my belt, I finally realized that winter actually doesn’t suck that badly.

1. All the metaphors!

If nothing else, this is a great reason to see some good in winter: life lessons and metaphors!

She had a good sleep that night and and awakened in the morning to find herself and the world transformed. It had snowed softly and thickly all through the hours of darkness and the beautiful whiteness, glittering in the frosty sunshine, looked like a mantle of charity cast over all the mistakes and humiliations of the past. (Anne of Avonlea, L.M. Montgomery)

2. Sparkles

‘Tis the season of all things sparkly. Sparkles and glitter and all things shiny may be at a minimum the rest of the year, but winter is basically a free-for-all on the sparkles. Have at ‘er, and rejoice.

3. Mittens and scarves

I mean, if we have to be cold, we can at least be stylish. See also: a great DIY gift idea for those of us with the knitting-ability gene. (Not me.)

4. Rosy cheeks

Free blush! Woohoo! (So totally frugal and retro – like how they used to do it back in the day… naturally pink cheeks. Imagine!)

5. Blankets and fireplaces

Is there a cozier cozy setting than this? I think not, my frosty friends. I think not.

6. Hot Drinks

Hot chocolate, tea, fancy coffee, and more. There’s absolutely nothing like drinking a delicious hot beverage on a cold day, feeling it literally warm your insides. Ahhhh. Bonus: it warms your hands, too. Through your gloves, if you’re lucky.

Clickety-click on through here for 50 Hot Drink Recipes.

7. Tobogganing

The thrill of hurtling down a slippery snow-covered hill on high-speed on a small sled while insulated in your puffy snowsuit that protects you like bubble wrap? It’s sheer magic, my friends.

If you’ve never tried it, I feel sorry for you. Perhaps next time you could vacation up here in my neck of the woods in January.

8. Skiing, snowboarding, etc.

I used to go cross-country skiing through the woods behind our house when I was a kid. Excellent way to get some exercise, and super fun, too. Same goes for other beloved winter sports, like downhill skiing and snowboarding. The main required ingredient for making all of these fun is none other than Mr. Winter. Thanks, winter.

9. Playing in the Snow

One of the best parts of winter is just sitting there in a snowbank, in your marshmallow-suit (aka snowsuit), digging tunnels to make a snow fort, building a snowman, making snow angels, or simply catching snowflakes on your tongue.

I have fond memories of all of these in my childhood – there’s just something magical about sitting smack-dab in the quiet of a snowy vignette, even that of your suburban front yard. And the best part is getting to re-do these things with kids, as a grown-up.

10. The Feeling of Coming Inside

Indoors has never felt better than when you step in the door after being out in the snow and cold for a while. The warmth, the smells of home, and the chill slowly seeping out of your bones – it makes you appreciate the roof over your head like never before.

Bonus: when you get to peel off soaking wet snowpants, mitts, boots, etc. after a good long play in the snow. In those times, the feeling of putting on warm, dry socks is basically nirvana.

11. The Shared Christmas Season

You know that sense of general merriment that you feel around this time of year, when the majority of society is celebrating the same holiday at the same time? Our shared humanity is extra noticeable this time of year. It’s a point of commonality that we can share with perfect strangers – always a good thing in a world with enough troubles.

12. Candlelit Dinners (and Breakfasts!)

We’re pretty fond of regular candlelit meals at our house. Winter makes them that much more enjoyable as the lack of daylight hours highlights the coziness that candles add to a meal.

13. No mosquitos

Self-explanatory.

14. Holiday meals

Good food has been synonymous with celebration since the beginning of time, and winter has several key holidays that nail that tradition. And all of the food-lovers rejoiced! Amen.

15. Soups and stews

Total comfort food. I once heard an urban legend that not everyone is a fan of soup. To those people, I say:

16. Roast Beef Dinner

Or chicken, or whatever. The point is that you roast a hunk of meat, pair it with buttery veggies, glorious mashed potatoes and gravy, and merriment ensues. Wintertime roast beef dinners for the win. (And because summer’s too hot to use the oven.)

17. It’s Beautiful

Winter sure does like to show off sometimes – the photo below is evidence. More winter eye-candy here.

18. Hot Baths and Showers

For when you’re chilled to the bone. It’s like being in a warm little cocoon, wrapped in a hug.

19. The Best TV

Our favorite TV shows go on hiatus during the summer so the celebs can jet off to Hawaii and Bora Bora. What a rough life. But it’s back to the grindstone by fall so that we poor peasant folk have deliciously entertaining Netflix binges readily available on chilly nights.

20. Introvert-Friendly

Ahh, the season when staying in is completely socially acceptable. Introvert’s paradise.

21. Ice Skating

A romantic winter sport, if ever there was one. See also: comedic relief if you’re skating with me, and a key player in every holiday romantic comedy.

22. Citrus season

Naval oranges and your undersized cousins, clementines: we salute you. Thanks for being a bright spot in those cold winter months.

23. A Fresh Calendar

New Year’s Eve is for party animals, but New Year’s Day is the best day of the year for planner/calendar types. Day One of a new year! So refreshing, even if you’re the anti-resolutions type.

24. It’s Hygge Season

Hygge makes people happy. Can’t argue with that, folks. Read more about this brilliant concept that the Danish cherish, and tell me you’re not going to immediately put it into action in your life. I mean, seriously.

25. Winter Festivals

If you live in a city, chances are you might have the opportunity to take in a winter festival like Quebec City’s Winter Carnival, Ottawa’s Winterlude and Calgary’s Hot Chocolate Fest. Lots of fun to be had, and look, it’s in winter!

26. Holiday Music + Movies

Mariah crooning her best Christmas songs in the background while you cook dinner (a roast, naturally), then settle in by the fire for a classic Christmas movie before bed. Ahh, yeah. Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Elf are my personal faves.

27. The Silence After a Snowfall

Mesmerizing = walking outside just after a snowstorm and being greeted by the near silence of the whistling breeze and crunch of boots in sparkly snow. Your sense of hearing is heightened, and it sounds like winter.

28. The First Signs of Spring

Because absence makes the heart grow fonder. Amen.

Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site

27 Recipes You Can Make Ahead for Your Lunch Box, Plus Easy Fruit and Veggie Add-Ons

27 Recipes You Can Make Ahead for Your Lunch Box, Plus Easy Fruit and Veggie Add-Ons

Before we talk about your lunch box, let me just ask:

Do you ever get sick of hearing me talk about eating more and more and more fruits and vegetables? I am…not even sorry. I believe in the Great Pumpkin (eating it, of course), and all the other Great Fruits and Vegetables our bodies are screaming for. I believe in this even more than I believe in eating real butter, and I believe you and I both know how misty-eyed I get over a stick of butter. Now let’s all grab a cucumber with a little homemade ranch and keep chatting, shall we?

Several of you have seen this card and thought of me. Yes, yes, and yes.

Packing a lunch can become a little boring day after day, right? A sandwich, chips, maybe carrots or an apple…ho hum. I like that combo every once in a while, but I have some exciting news for you: Packing a clementine and some sweet peppers is just as easy as packing an apple and carrots. Walk around the produce department a few minutes and just see what all you can find to liven up your lunches (whether you pack them to-go or not).

Since beginning our Make-Ahead Lunch Box series, I’ve shared 12 fun recipes.

That’s a dozen new lunch box ideas that do not involve a package of lunch meat or a carrot stick.

• Taco Quesadillas
• Nectarine Cream Cups

Now, here are 15 more recipe ideas you should look through.

These have been on my website for quite some time. All of the ideas will work great to make ahead, then pull out to pack for a lunch:

• Taco Corn Fritters
• Snowflake Quesadillas
• Salmon Patties
• Calzones

Don’t forget our newest challenge: Add Spinach to Everything! With many of the 27 recipes listed above, you can add spinach for extra nutrients.

Now let’s look at good fruit and veggie add-ons. I listed apples and carrots first, because those are a given. But wait till you see all the other fun options to give your lunch box some life!

• Apples
• Carrots
• Bananas
• Clementines
• Oranges
• Applesauce
• Peach Cups (100% juice)
• Grapes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Sweet Peppers
• Side Salad
• Blueberries
• Sliced Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Sliced cucumbers
• Celery
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Pears

That’s 20 yummy possiblities. I’m sure you have thought of others I didn’t mention.

This has been on my mind lately as basketball season is starting up again at our house. This means that many weekends now through March, we will be on the road. We don’t mind eating out here and there, but to save money and to pack in the nutrition, I’ve been brainstorming options for food we can pack to-go.

Hearing your ideas always inspires me – so leave comments to share how you pack a healthy lunch box. Also, fill in the blank: There is little in life that could not benefit from a little love, a little time and _____________________________. How would you finish that phrase?! :)

Original article and pictures take heavenlyhomemakers.com site

26 Healthy Halloween Treats Kids Will Love

26 Healthy Halloween Treats Kids Will Love

Halloween and I have a complicated relationship, at least since I became a mom. Take trick-or-treating, for instance. It’s a fun tradition, but there certainly aren’t too many healthy Halloween treats (or even close to it). Easter and a few other holidays require some similar soul-searching.

So what’s a health-conscious mom to do? As I see it, I have a couple of options:

Option #1: Ignore Halloween Completely

Yep … I did this!

I’ll admit it: when my kids were all really young, I just pretended Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t do the trick or treating thing or the costume thing. In fact, we usually just turned out the lights and went to bed early on trick-or-treating night.

I just didn’t like the idea of letting already grumpy toddlers stay up late to go to strangers’ houses and ask for candy packed with food dyes.

As my kids get older and want to dress up, trick-or-treating became harder to avoid. On the one hand, I completely understand the fun tradition of wearing a costume and spending time with friends. On the other, I don’t love the idea of them getting bags upon bags of candy (that will make them crazy and rot their teeth out).

Since I’ve learned a thing or two about balance and moderation over the years, we’ve moved on (a little reluctantly) from this option.

Option #2: The Candy Fairy

Opinions differ on whether or not receiving a mountain of candy in one night provides a natural opportunity to learn self-control. I’m all for kids having these life lessons, but I’m a big believer in giving kids choices within certain boundaries set by the parent. (Hence my love for Montessori.)

The Candy Fairy (or Switch Witch, take your choice) visits our house after trick-or-treating and the kids don’t seem to mind a bit. We switch out the majority of the candy for a fun grab bag of treats. Since they come from our home, this also gives me the chance to throw some tasty edibles from better sources.

Option #3: Offer Healthy Halloween Treats

I know, I know … handing out a treat other than name-brand candy is a surefire way to get your house rolled. I promise, I’m not suggesting handing the kids an apple or a carton of bone broth.

Still, with childhood obesity rates around 17% in the U.S. (and thankfully at least holding steady for the last few years), I’d rather try to shape the trends than just go along with them.

In fact, there is more than one big reason to consider giving out non-candy treats:

1. Food Allergies – Food allergies are on the rise and many popular types of candy contain peanuts and other allergens. I know quite a few moms who can’t let their kids trick or treat because of potential peanut exposure. (Proof this is a real trend: The Teal Pumpkin Project.)
2. Too Much Sugar – With high rates of obesity and other health problems, especially among youth, I can’t in good conscience hand out sugar. The 80/20 rule is great and there is a time and a place for treats. The problem is that time seems to be all the time. And the place seems to be everywhere. Kids get candy at the bank, the doctor, school, and almost everywhere they go. Do they really need a bags of it?
3. Dye Sensitivities – Many kids are sensitive to food dyes and it is tough to avoid them in most types of candy.
4. Orthodontics – Candy and sugary snacks aren’t good for teeth and can stick to braces and other mouth pieces.
5. Easier on Parents– When you give out non-candy halloween treats, you save parents the trouble of checking for anything harmful in the candy.

True, non-candy treats may not make your house the most popular stop in the neighborhood, but there are some really fun alternatives to candy that are definitely kid-approved. And all the other families who are trying to limit sugar or who are sensitive to food dyes will thank you!

Ideas for Healthy Halloween Treats (That Kids Actually Like)

These are the top healthy Halloween treats I’ve thought of and will be choosing from this year:

1. Glider Airplanes

Surprisingly, mini airplanes are inexpensive and a great alternative to candy. My brother loved these when we were little and would have taken one of these over candy any day!

2. Organic Juice Boxes

A consumable Halloween treat that is practical. After walking around the neighborhood, kids may be thirsty. It still has sugar and isn’t an everyday thing for us, but it makes a great treat.

3. Natural Fruit Leather

In my opinion these taste way better than artificially flavored fruit candies! Buy them in bulk for the best price. I’ve seen them at Costco for a good price, or they’re available on good ol’ Amazon of course.

4. Bouncy Balls

My kids love bouncy balls and we don’t usually have them around the house because of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100 for cheaper than a big bag of candy and call it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls!

5. Local Honey Sticks

My oldest son brought home a bunch of these from a beekeepers’ meeting one time and they were an instant hit with his siblings. Ideally find some from a local beekeeper, or order online. These are still a sweet treat, but the beneficial properties in honey make it a healthier alternative to candy.

6. Stamps

My littles spend hours stamping pictures on paper and they gave me the idea for this candy alternative. Stamps are also cheaper than candy when you get them in bulk.

7. Apple Cider Packets

I’m hoping it will cool down by Halloween, and if it does, kids will love something to warm them up after walking around. Even better, this brand uses pretty decent ingredients!

8. Carabiners

A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus … they are plastic free!

9. Mini-Flashlights

A practical idea for kids walking around after dark! Keychain flashlights are fun for kids and a good candy alternative if you don’t live in a busy neighborhood. Order a few dozen in bulk.

10. Pumpkin Oranges

Feeling crafty? Get some organic oranges and use a natural marker to draw some pumpkin faces on the peel. This is probably best for a group of friends or close-knit neighborhood where people trust an unwrapped offering.

11. Organic Candy

If you just can’t fathom the idea of giving out something besides candy, opt for a better kind of candy. This brand of organic lollipops is dye-free and contains Vitamin C.

12. Fake Mustaches

Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches. I brought a few packs of fake mustaches to a costume party for adults once and the next morning we woke up and found all of the kids in mustaches too! For a holiday that requires costume, these are fun to give out!

13. Stickers

I have to say, kids have ruined stickers for me. They seem to think it’s a great idea to plaster stickers on any surface to make it more festive. (There is still sticker residue on their bunk beds to prove it.) Since Halloween is about fun for the kids though, I’ll be a sucker and order 1000 of them really inexpensively for treats to give out.

14. Bubbles

Bubbles are a fun activity that every kid loves. My children will play with these for hours a time!

15. Mini Notebooks

My daughters keep these mini notebooks in their mini purses so they can draw and take notes.

16. LED Light Up Rings

Forget Ring Pops! These rings light up in crazy colors and are a fun way keep kids safe in the dark.

17. Skeleton Bone Pens

Possibly the coolest item on this list! These bone-shaped pens are really cool and practical too!

18. Wikki Sticks

A great inexpensive halloween treat to give out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks are made from yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free creative way for kids to draw and build pictures.

19. Lego People

Want to be the coolest house on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures!

20. Glow Bracelets

I don’t usually get glow sticks because of the plastic, but I’ll pull them out as a special treat or candy alternative. Glow bracelets are the most practical option because they also make kids easier to see in the dark while out trick or treating! I’ve never seen a kid leave disappointed when receiving a glow bracelet instead of candy.

21. Puzzle Balls

The downside? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable treat that encourages critical thinking.

22. Fancy Crayon Pens

Practical but still cool. These crayon pens have multiple tips and encourage creativity.

23. Slap Bracelets

Slap bracelets were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they are outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, it’s time for them to come back!

24. Mini Play Dough

We usually make our own play dough, but pre-made mini play dough containers are a good alternative to candy!

25. Spooky Spider Rings

Another plastic toy, but when store-bought candy is at stake I’ll compromise. This kid pleaser adds to the spooky fun. Warning: they’re as bad as Legos … inevitably I end up stepping on them in bare feet around the house for months after.

26. Punch Balloons

I remember punching these with great glee as a kid (probably in the direction of my brother’s face). This perennial party favor comes in Halloween-themed colors and encourages kids to be active and have fun!

What’s your policy on candy on Halloween? Which healthy Halloween treats would you like to see your kids bring home?

Original article and pictures take cdn.wellnessmama.com site

25+ Ways to Include Bone Broth in Your Diet (Other Than Soup)

25+ Ways to Include Bone Broth in Your Diet (Other Than Soup)

Mmm, homemade bone broth. I think it’s appropriate that I have some chicken bone broth simmering away on my stove as I type. It smells like home, you know?

(Read last week’s article: The Health Benefits of Bone Broth: Is It Worth the Hype?)

The wafting scent is making me hungry, despite the weather slowly ebbing into shorts and tank top territory by late morning today. This is always the time of year that I stop making my weekly pot of soup in favour of entire dinners on the BBQ, eaten on the back deck. Burgers, sausages, potatoes in foil, grilled sweet peppers, mushrooms, and onions… oh lawd a’ mercy. Delish!

But bone broth, my dear old friend, is always so sad to be discarded and forgotten when summer lovin’ arrives with a flair. (What, don’t you anthropomorphize your food?) So… I do what any real food lover worth her real sea salt would do – I get creative.

That golden, nourishing homemade broth (chicken, beef, fish, and even vegetable) can be incorporated regularly into your diet even when the thought of hot soup makes you melt into a puddle on the floor.

Now go forth and use these ideas, and may it go well with your soul. Chicken Soup for the Soul (90’s shoutout! Holla!) And with your guts. And by guts, I mean your literal gastrointestinal tract. (Over-explaining myself since the late 80’s. It’s my thang.)

Here are 25+ excellent ideas, for your broth-loving little heart. There are quick tips for everyday cooking, plus a selection of great recipes that feature bone broth as an ingredient.

Quick Tips & Tricks

• “I add gelatinous bone broth whenever I sauté veggies. It works as a steaming liquid and adds gelatin to veggies. I’ve also used it to make rice.” Dr. Karen S. Lee
• “I use bone broth instead of water when cooking rice, veggies, casseroles and quinoa. I also add it to mashed potatoes instead of milk.” The Herbal Spoon
• “Add a homemade broth gelatin cube to scrambled eggs.” Health, Home, and Happiness
• “I boil mine down for a reduction sauce, similar to this one. I often make this sauce for any meat even if I haven’t just roasted anything. Starting with broth only works great! We also just drink broth by the mug full with butter and salt. I use broth instead of water for cooking rice, often veggies, in risotto, as a replacement for water in spaghetti sauce or similar. Also in mashed potatoes or in my homemade queso dip in place of some of the milk or cream. Real Food Whole Health
• “I like to drink it for breakfast with salt and a raw free-range egg yolk (or two!) mixed in. It is creamy and yummy and keeps me full for hours.” Our Small Hours
• “Gravies and sauces.” We Got Real

Recipes That Feature Broth as an Ingredient

Nourishing Chicken Lo Mein (gluten/dairy/egg/msg free)– Simply Healthy Home (photo credit)

Dairy Free Scalloped Potatoes– Simply Healthy Home

Chicken “Fried Rice” Quinoa (gluten free/thm)– Simply Healthy Home

Asian Chicken and Vegetables (gluten/dairy/egg/msg free)– Simply Healthy Home (photo credit)

Roasted Asparagus with Chicken Jelly Noodles– Farm Fresh Feasts

Chicken Enchiladas– My Cultured Palate

Mom’s Homemade Chicken Potpie– My Cultured Palate (photo credit)

Homemade Cornbread Stuffing– Recipes To Nourish

Sauteed Kale with Pasture Butter– Recipes To Nourish

Homemade Maple Apple Chicken Breakfast Sausages– Recipes To Nourish

Sloppy “Rose” Lettuce Wraps– Recipes To Nourish

Coconut Scallion Rice– A Happy Healthnut

Heavenly Rice With Cauliflower– Food Your Body Will Thank You For

Three Ingredient Pureed Cauliflower– The Organic Kitchen

For more, browse the Red & Honey recipe index, and check out these posts with the same theme:

10 Creative Ways to Add More Bone Broth to Your Diet– Intoxicated on Life

Two Easy Ways to Supercharge Your Food With Bone Broth– Naturally Loriel

Do you incorporate bone broth into your regular diet?

Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site

25+ Real Food Snacks Ready in 5 Minutes or Less

25+ Real Food Snacks Ready in 5 Minutes or Less

Great ideas for real food snacks that don't take a lot of time to prepare! If you have 5 minutes, you can serve healthy snacks that won't break the budget. :: DontWastetheCrumbs.com

School’s back in session and, if you’re like me, you could always use a few more ideas for quick breakfasts, healthy school lunches, and simple snacks to keep the kids satisfied until dinner time.

I love the convenience of packaged snack foods but, even the more expensive “healthy” versions of packaged snacks often contain flavors and additives I don’t want to feed to my kids.

It just makes sense to give them healthier and more affordable snacks instead…especially when they only take 5 minutes or less to make!

25+ Frugal Real Food Snacks in 5 Minutes or Less

I’ve divided this list of frugal real food snacks into 3 categories based on prep time:

1. Zero Prep Snacks
2. Snacks Ready in 5 Minutes or Less
3. Make Ahead Snacks

I personally draw from the Zero Prep list most days, but I try to mix in a few of the other ideas from time to time to keep things interesting and fun for the kids.

Zero Prep Real Food Snacks

• Fresh or dried fruit
• Raw veggies
• Raw or dry roasted nuts/seeds
• Hummus + pita (assuming the hummus is already made, but if not, it can be in 5 minutes)
• Nut/seed butter on a spoon (homemade nut/seed butter)
• Sliced cheese

Real Food Snacks Ready in 5 Minutes or Less

• Healthy Apple Nachos (pictured at top)
• Smoothies (Orange Pineapple Green Smoothie pictured above)
• Healthy 5 min Ranch Dip for raw veggies
• Air popped popcorn
• Trail mix (any mixture of nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, oats, flaked coconut, healthy cereal, etc.)
• Cheese toast
• PB&J fold over

Make Ahead Snacks

• Sweet and Salty Energy Bites (pictured at top)
• Fruit and Veggie Popsicles (pictured at top)
• Easy, Whole Wheat Cheddar Crackers (pictured at top)
• Homemade Applesauce – plain, cinnamon, and mixed berry

Do you have fast and frugal real food snack ideas? Share them below!

Original article and pictures take dontwastethecrumbs.com site

25 Ways to Raise Capable, Confident Children

25 Ways to Raise Capable, Confident Children

The fourth of our twelve children will be leaving the nest in another couple of months, and it has my husband and me reexamining the job we have done (thus far) raising our children.

Of course, we’ve made lots of mistakes (that’s another post for another day), but by the abundant grace of God (and by following the great example that our own parents modeled for us), there are many things we’ve done right — things we want to make sure we continue to do as we train up the remaining eight children still under our care.

And so I offer you “25 Ways to Raise Capable, Confident Children.” These are in no particular order, beyond the first, which should be our starting point in every endeavor:

1. Pray without Ceasing:
   Parenting is one of the most demanding (and most rewarding) jobs any of us will ever do. As such, it requires an extra measure of wisdom from above, as well as strength, endurance, and consistency. Pray for yourself, but pray also for and with your children. The best parenting practices in the world will fall flat apart from God’s blessing. Pray that He will soften your children’s heart, that He’ll give them a teachable spirit, that He’ll begin this work early, and that He’ll be faithful to complete it, as He promises in His word. (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
2. Clearly Define the Rules:
   Make sure your children know what you expect of them, then oblige them to obey cheerfully and completely. Well-established and consistently-enforced boundaries are both a protection and a comfort. Do not allow children to disregard the rules without consequence, or to speak to parents (or anyone else) in a disrespectful manner. Bad behavior should be penalized and good behavior should be rewarded. (Ephesians 6:1)
3. Teach Them to Listen:
   Everything in life comes more easily to a child who knows how to pay attention. Fortunately, listening is a skill which can be practiced from infancy — train your baby to track your voice as you call his name from one side then the other, play “Simon Says” with your toddler, insist that your energetic grade-schooler stand still and make eye contact when you are giving him instructions, call your teen by name and use a key phrase (such as, “Listen to my words…”) to communicate the fact that what you are about to say is important and should be taken to heart. (Proverbs 4:1)
4. Bid Them Be Happy:
   Cultivate contentment in your children, and you will all live happily ever after. No whining allowed! If you make certain your child’s whining is never rewarded, he will cease to do it. Conversely, when you give in to whining, you reward and reinforce the very behavior that drives most of us crazy and thereby encourage your kids to whine all the more. Of course, it should go without saying that we need to maintain a happy, positive attitude ourselves. The irony of an enraged parent screaming at a child, “Why can’t you just be happy?” is not lost, even on very small children.(Philippians 2:14)
5. Nurture Your Marriage:
   One of the most important things a father can do for his children is to love their mother, and vice versa. If you are married, do all that you can to invest in and safeguard that relationship. Let your children know that you are 100% committed to making sure your marriage lasts. Kids who are given cause to doubt that fact spend a lot of emotional and psychological energy worrying that their parents may divorce (then feeling somehow responsible when they do). This can completely undermine a child’s sense of stability and security and will often sidetrack the normal development of confidence and competency in multiple areas. (Mark 10:7-9)
6. Show Them You Care:
   Dr. Anthony Witham once said, “Children spell love T-I-M-E,” and it is true. Spend time with your kids, individually (use errands as an opportunity for one-on-one time) and as a group. Get excited about the things that excite or fascinate them. Take delight in their company, and let them see that delight in you eyes and your smile and your manner. Children need quality and quantity time, so give them plenty of both. There is no substitute for your intentional, fully-invested presence in the life of your child. (Isaiah 49:15)
7. Put Them to Work:
   Assign household chores. Give them real and increasing responsibility from as young an age as possible. Kids who do chores grow up to be more successful than those who don’t. One of the most important lessons you can teach your child is to work hard and to take pleasure in a job well done. (Colossians 3:23)
8. Enjoy Them at Play:
   Regularly enter into your child’s world of play. Take pleasure in relaxing with your children, especially after they’ve spent time working alongside you. Get up a rousing game of catch or tag or Spoons or Scrabble. Shoot hoops in the driveway or toss a frisbee at the park. Work a puzzle together. Teach your child how to play chess or bridge or dominoes. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
9. Encourage Them to Try New Things:
   Expose your children to as broad a range of experience as you are able: music, sports, travel, missions, charity, social and cultural events, etc. This will furnish them with a more well-rounded view of the world and will hopefully make it easier for them to find their place in it. Give them the freedom and the tools to pursue the things that pique their interest. Let them know that by God’s grace, they can do anything they set their minds to. (Philippians 4:13)
10. Point Them to Scripture:
    Let the Word of God permeate, influence, and inform every facet of family life. Read the Word of God to your children. Teach it to them diligently. Memorize it as a family. This is something that comes especially easy to children, so take advantage of that fact! Hide God’s Word in your heart. (Deuteronomy 11:18-21, Psalm 119:11)
11. Protect Them from Harm:
    Vigilantly guard your kids against harmful influences, as well as physical threats. This is fairly easy when they are little, while you still enjoy complete control over their schedules, you pick all their friends for them, and they have not yet discovered a way around those child-proof locks (a skill some kids acquire at an exasperatingly young age). This task becomes more challenging, though no less important, as children grow older and begin to make most choices themselves. Even then, parents should be aware of the company their children keep, the movies they watch, the music they listen to, and the websites they frequent — not for the purpose of micro-managing or being legalistic (that plan will backfire, for sure), but in order to discuss freely and frankly any potential hazards of which parents are aware. (Ezekiel 33:6, Proverbs 4:14-15)
12. Help Them Stay Healthy:
    Work to establish good habits in the areas of diet, sleep, exercise, and hygiene. Feed your children square meals, and if you want to nourish their souls as well as their bodies, preserve the family dinner hour. Use it as an opportunity to discuss and dissect the day’s events, both within your family circle and in the world at large. Teens whose families eat dinner together at least five times per week are far less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol or engage in other risky behavior. They also tend to eat more fruit and vegetables then children in families who do not consistently dine together.
13. Give Them Good Manners:
    Common courtesy and respect are no longer as common as they ought to be. Teach your children to say “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “you’re welcome,” “yes, ma’m,” and “no, sir.” Well-behaved kids are such a novelty these days. Good manners make a young person stand out in a crowd in a more memorable way than the wildest tattoo or body piercing can ever do. (1 Timothy 4:12)
14. Read Them Great Books:
    Read well-written and beautifully illustrated picture books aloud to your children when they are little, yes, but continue to read engaging novels, inspiring biographies, and thought-provoking non-fiction aloud, even after they grow too big for your lap. Children are never too old to be read to, so choose well and discuss at length. Sharing books together this way is the surest way to foster in your kids a lifetime love for reading, which itself opens whole new worlds of knowledge and experience to them. Thanks to public libraries, this is a practice even the poorest of families can afford.
15. Equip Them to Lead:
    Stress the importance of integrity, humility, self-discipline, and willingness to stand alone. Model servant-leadership, and challenge them to follow Christ’s example, who came not to be served, but to serve. Encourage them to take initiative and do things that need to be done without being asked. (Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:3-8)
16. Treat Them with Understanding:
    Kids are people, too! Be patient with your children and treat them with kindness. Do not be unnecessarily harsh with them, and be quick to forgive when they repent of wrongdoing. Be sympathetic. Try to remember what it was like to be in their shoes.(Ephesians 6:4, Ephesians 4:32)
17. Turn Off the TV:
    Set reasonable limits on screen time of any sort, including but not limited to television, computers, smart phones, tablets, and video games. It would probably be both unrealistic and impractical to attempt to eliminate all electronic media usage from our homes, but any child who spends 53 hours a week staring at a screen could probably find something more productive to do with much of that time. (Psalm 90:12)
18. Inspire Good Sportsmanship:
    Teach them to lose with grace and to win with humility, conscious that their natural talents and abilities are gifts from above. Stress the importance of always playing fairly and if you must err, err in favor of your opponent. Better to lose the game than to be thought a cheater. (Philippians 2:15)
19. Lead Them by Example:
    Model for your children the character and behavior you wish them to exhibit, but do not pretend to be perfect (or expect your children to be). Be honest about personal flaws and quick to admit mistakes, apologizing and asking your children’s forgiveness when you wrong them. (1 John 1:8-10)
20. Train Them to Think:
    Education is more than regurgitating facts; our kids must also learn to reason and to think through things on their own. We can ask questions of them to help the process along (Socratic method), but we must not shy away from their asking questions of us, as well. Anticipate, encourage, and answer their inquiries in a way that is intellectually honest, morally upright, scientifically accurate, and neither defensive nor overly-dramatic. And for those questions for which we have no good answer? Admit you don’t know, then pray about the matter and search for a solution together. (Jeremiah 33:3)
21. Grant Them Some Space:
    Beginning with letting your two-year-old choose what she wants to wear, allow your children to make their own decisions whenever possible, and be supportive of their choices. You can offer your kids guidance and encouragement without smothering and micromanaging them. But be forewarned: Their thoughts, tastes, and values may not always line up with yours 100%, which is okay. They are individuals and are entitled to have their own hopes and dreams and opinions. Parents can reserve the right to overrule younger children whenever they deem it necessary, but as your kids grow, look for ways they can express their individuality in a manner that is acceptable to both of you. (Romans 14:5)
22. Bless Your Children:
    Let your sons and daughters know that you are proud of them. Don’t get so focused on correcting your children when they do wrong that you forget to praise them when they do right. Our kids never outgrow the need for approval and affirmation, so give it freely. (Genesis 27:34)
23. Don’t Overreact:
    Whether your toddler takes a spill while learning to walk or your grade-schooler makes a C on his spelling test or your teenager makes a wrong turn while learning to drive, swallow your fears. Remember that we ALL have mishaps and we ALL make mistakes — surely this one is not the end of the world. Don’t be negligent and reckless, but don’t be hovering and over-protective either. Keep calm and carry on! Take failures in stride and don’t give in to worrying.(Philippians 4:6)
24. Entrust Them to God:
    Instill in your children a clear vision of what they can accomplish for God’s glory. Do your best to give them an eternal perspective. Pass them the baton. Our kids are in His hands: only by His grace do any of our efforts succeed.
25. Let Them Grow Up:
    Our ultimate goal is not to raise oversized children, but to raise mature, responsible adults. This will not happen overnight. Neither can you expect to cling tightly until the day your child turns 18 (or 21 or 30), and then let go all at once. It is a gradual process, like the letting out of kite string. Keep a firm hold on the end while they are younger, yes, but be willing to spool out the thread smoothly and steadily as needed. (Proverbs 22:6, Luke 16:10)

So that’s my list. Is there anything you would add? Leave off? What types of things have you found most helpful in raising capable, confident children? I’d love for you to share them in the comments below.

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Original article and pictures take i2.wp.com site

25 Reasons Sugar is Bad for You

25 Reasons Sugar is Bad for You

Original article and pictures take www.hotzehwc.com site