But I don't want to give my baby formula!?! A Breastfeeding Solution

NOTHING and NO ONE was able provide help when I needed it most...my baby wasn't getting enough breastmilk and giving her a bottle seemed the only solution.  Let me just say I attended the childbirth class, the breastfeeding class, hired the doula, the lactation consultant, and the pediatrician not to mention a stack of books I checked out from the library...all I heard was "it's ok dearie, sometimes it happens...there's nothing wrong with giving a bottle".

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Nothing about my pregnancy turned out as I had planned (except for the perfectly beautiful child I came home with).  Sick as a dog for 9 mo's, several hospital stays, instead of the natural birth a c-section.   When baby came, I had crazy post-partum depression plus baby wanted nurse 24/7, wouldn't sleep and cried a lot.  In my sleep-deprived zombie state I was told that I needed to supplement with formula.  I had had it!!!  After all my ordeal to get this child into this world, I have to forego breastfeeding too!!!?  And let's not even mention the recent news reports of tainted formulas.  But what could I do?  If I didn't produce enough milk, I couldn't let my poor baby starve!  So I did what I had to do, I began supplementing with a bottle AND searching for a solution.  God in his goodness sent me a solution where all else failed.  I'm hoping my story may be a blessing to the one who finds herself in the same situation.

My answer came in the form of the International Breastfeeding Centre (ibc).  Their website is jam packed full of helpful information.  You can check them out at your leisure, but here are the key elements that changed everything for me:

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Key #1:  Increase milk supply with the herbs FENUGREEK and BLESSED THISTLE (3 capsules/3 times a day of each).  They will work within 12-24 hours if they are going to. 

Key #2: Reevaluate your breastfeeding technique (this one is vitally important).  Your baby may look like he's getting plenty, I mean he's nursing 24/7 right?  Actually, he might be using your breast as a pacifier and is not actually accessing much of your milk supply at all.  How can you tell?

• a good latch (you will learn about this in breastfeeding classes)
• Determine if baby is actually drinking (you won't learn about this in breastfeeding classes); If  baby is getting adequate drink, she will open her mouth wide and pause before closing again. 

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• It's the exact same motion you make when you drink a milkshake...because its thick, you keep your jaw open longer to get it thru the straw.  Similarly, the more the baby pauses, the more milk she is taking in.

Key #3:  Re-train baby how to breastfeed successfully using breast compression technique.  This technique is not necessary if baby feeds well but I can vouch that it works as I was able to take my child off formula and breastfeed exclusively with no problems!   I'm not going to explain the entire process because it's detailed in the link I provided but it basically it helps baby to change from ineffective sucking to actually take in milk.
Finally Watch this series of breastfeeding videos for demonstrations of all these techniques (warning: since it is about breastfeeding...obviously it's graphic).  I'd watch all the videos because even if they don't seem applicable, they each have golden nuggets of information.  Additionally, ibc has lots of information sheets on a myriad of breastfeeding topics.

I know there are other woman out there looking for solutions.  I hope by adding these resources to my blog, it might help someone stumble across this valuable information just as I did when I needed it most:)

Constipation in Pregnancy (or in general:)

Have you ever met someone who always seems to be in a foul mood? You know, those people you find it almost impossible to get along with. Chances are they may be suffering from constipation.  Yes, constipation can effect your attitude according to master herbalist, Dr. John R.Christopher.  In his practice, he saw many a personality transformed once their bowels were working properly.  According to Christopher, you should have bowel movements every single day, preferably multiple (3) times per day.

Now, why in the world am I blogging about constipation you may ask?  Well, pregnancy is on the forefront of my mind, and constipation tends to be an issue for women in pregnancy.  I was so ill  my last pregnancy, that constipation is the last thing I want to worry about...but as it turns out there just might be a relation between the two.  The better the bowels work, the better overall wellness you will feel.  A friend who is currently pregnant  notices that the more constipated she is, the worse she feels. Christopher had this to say about the subject (and I highly recommend reading more about it here): 

Over ninety percent of all diseases and malfunctions of children's bodies (as with adults) stem from the unclean intestinal tract. The body of man must be kept clean inside and out, to perform his daily tasks efficiently and smoothly. This body is the housing of the spirit and operating force of life. With the spirit commanding a good clean structure, a smoother, happier life is evident. The scriptures tell us that God will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle. We have been told that the body is a temple, or tabernacle of God. This structure must be kept in good repair, and clean, to be a comfortable abode.

Now, on the the Nitty Gritty:


Causes of Constipation:

1. improper diet and living

2. Meat also causes constipation through the fact that it encourages putrefaction of the colon both by introducing putrefactive organisms in great numbers and also by providing material which is best calculated to encourage the growth of putrefactive organisms in the colon.

3. 3. Most persons who suffer from constipation habitually drink too little water.

Herbal Aids

1. Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel Formula (this stuff works well):The average person uses two capsules three times a day, but if necessary may want to use five or more capsules three times a day, and more if needed. Available online (amazon.com) and most health food stores

2. Cayenne: And if you are brave, you can use it as an enema for obstinate constipation.

3. Kelp: So many of our illnesses result from constipation, and such a large portion of our population suffers from this ailment! Poisons accumulate in the large bowel and are absorbed back into the bloodstream, causing a host of disorders which are not specific in themselves but stem back to the toxic colon. Many people subscribe to enemas and colonics to cleanse the colon, and Dr. Christopher agreed that these may have a place in an emergency, but they should absolutely never be relied upon. In addition to his formula for toning the colon, Kelp can take an important place doing this job. Because of its high natural mineral salt content, Kelp builds the walls of the colon and the iodine, being highly antiseptic, deals with the toxic condition. For this reason, Kelp can be used in all cases associated with auto toxemia, especially in pregnancy. All constipated people should take Kelp daily, with the addition of blackstrap molasses if needed. Few people are really free from constipation, so almost everyone could benefit from the addition of Kelp to the daily diet.

NOTE: One should be wary of an incorrect use of laxatives and purgatives, because liquefied fecal matter is immediately absorbed by the intestinal villi into the bloodstream, and if there be excess, some of it will be thrown out of the bloodstream into the lungs, skin, kidneys, or other organs, producing a chronic toxemia thus laying the foundation for chronic disease.

Juices for Constipation: From personal family experience, any fresh fruit/veg juice (from a juicer) seems to do the trick.  Or try Rhubarb, prune, fig (prune works fast); 3 oz prunes (about 8) once or twice a day works good too (no more in one sitting as it could cause painful gas).

Vegetables for Constipation: Several glasses a day of cabbage broth.

More Vegetables for Constipation: Red Beet, chard, Jerusalem artichoke, green pepper, pumpkin, radishes, summer squash and zucchini.


Here's to a happy, healthy pregnancy!

Nausea in Pregnancy---Solutions

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I hesitated to entitle this post morning sickness---a more appropriate name from my experience would be All-day-and-night-will-I-ever-survive-this-sickness!?!   What was "morning sickness" like for me?

• cooking, cleaning products, and all but 1 bath soap were banned in my house to avoid wretched odors
• I couldn't even say the word "vegetable" much less eat any (or meat)
• Don't get me started on bathrooms (they grossed me out in general...I remember thinking it was the most digusting idea ever to put a bathroom inside a bedroom).
•  pets were banned from the house
• Making phone calls or surfing the web were too taxing
• I was borderline toxemia (high blood pressure)
• Admitted to hospital for low potassium (from vomiting) which can stop your heart
• And lets not forget the constant heaving while taking nausea pills meant for chemo patients
• I basically carried around a "pet" throw-up trash can for 9 mo's

So here we are trying for baby number two so I've decided to pull out the big guns and prepare early should I suffer the same fate with the next little cutie pie.  What's my solution?  Natural Remedies. 

Why natural remedies? First of all, conventional meds didn't help one iota the first time around. Secondly, I've witnessed miraculous results among myself, friends and family using safe, natural remedies...for example stopping a miscarriage * instantaneous relief from various stomach ailments * re-grew bone, skin & tissue after accidents * Fast healing of cuts & abrasions * stopped appendicitis * Cold & Flu prevention or fast recovery * Pink Eye * Mood enhancement (natural anti-depressant) * infant earache * constipation * and infant colic to name a few

So here goes...Natural Remedies for Nausea:
Note: There's not a 1 for all cure unfortunately as each woman and pregnancy is different.  The key is to try a combination of these suggestions and remedies until you minimize your symptoms.  

             Diet:  

• Nutrition is how we give our body what it needs to heal and thrive.  We must give our body the proper nutrients to work with.  just as you wouldn't build a home with toothpicks and marshmallows, nor should you build a baby with soda and twinkies.  A living soul needs living foods (fruits, veg, grain, seeds, nuts...) Eat as healthy a diet as possible.  Eliminate/decrease mucus forming foods such as processed foods, flour & sugar, and even dairy.  
• According to Dr. Tom Brewer, proper & adequate nutrition keeps the blood volume up in pregnancy and prevents a number of issues such as preeclampsia/toxemia (high blood pressure).  You can get his diet  here.
• Legumes can reduce nausea.  I have a pregnant friend who says that eating small amounts of beans every 30 minutes is giving her relief (she said she thought she was better and stopped the beans only to get sick again within 2 weeks).  You can read about how beans works here but basically eating legumes help remove bile in your system that cause the nausea.  BTW, this bile is produced by the liver, thus a liver cleanse would be beneficial too (drinking 16 oz of juiced carrots has worked well for me)...there are also herbal liver cleanses you do (just make sure your bowels are working (see constipation post coming up next).C
• Constipation:  Constipation and pregnancy seem to go hand in hand.  But if you can keep yourself constipation-free, it will help you feel much better ( read this post for details/solutions )
• 
  
  Prenatal vitamins: 
  Prescription and OTC vitamins are often difficult for the body to assimilate and will thus be treated as waste product.  Here are some better alternatives:
  
  
  
  
• Vitalerbs by Dr. Christopher which is a nutrient dense, whole food vitamin and mineral. 2-6 capsules 3x/day. You can read more about it here.  I highly recommend it.

• Floradix:  Some woman have a hard time with their pre-natal vitamins because of the iron.  Floradix is a natural iron supplement with a very highly absorbable form of iron
• Dandelion: yes, I'm referring to the weed in your yard...it has the highest source of iron content found anywhere

Essential Oil for Nausea:

I've just recently begun using essential oils by doTERRA and they are amazing, even miraculous in their effect.  With oils, you generally get what you pay for.  As a rule of thumb, all quality oils will be in the same price range.  I personally would not use an oil you find at the local market.  doTERRA is a high grade, pure oil.

Digestzen by doTERRA has become a must have in my home...LOVE IT!! It has stopped upset stomachs (even severe) in literally seconds for myself, husband, toddler, and teen relative.  I have 4 pregnant friends who have tried it and found relief.  Put a drop under tongue and/or rub a drop over belly in a clockwise circular motion.  

Herbs for Nausea

Ginger Capsules - proven to work better than OTC (over the counter) motion sickness meds i.e. Dramamine.  I suffer from motion sickness and can vouch for this.

• How to take ginger pills: take enough pills until you taste the herb in the back of your throat.  Take 2 capsules, wait a few minutes; continue taking 1 at a time (waiting a few minutes in between) until you taste in back of your throat (I don’t mean spitting it up either).  Go slow so you don’t overdue it and give yourself heartburn

Red Rasberry Leaf (capsule or tea):  I'm not talking about the actual fruit, but rather the leaves.  It's a great all around pregnancy and reproductive aid also good for nausea.  drinking a cup of tea (or more) a day will also build a strong, healthy placenta. available online, health stores, and some grocery stores sell organic tea.  fyi: also great during flu season as a preventative:)  A delicious MUST at my home

More herbal suggestions can be read at HerbalLegacy.com.  Dr. Christopher was an LDS master herbalist with an  amazing story  whose products I can vouch for (they have worked miraculously on a few occasions in my own and extended family).  Suggestions include spearment tea (works great for upset tummies), cloves, cinammon, turkey ruhbarb, and wild yam.

TEAS: ginger root, peppermint, spearmint, raspberry leaf, chamomille, fennel and lemon and honey mix

Homeopathy

Several homeopathic remedies can help; they include Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sepia, and Ipecac, depending on what kind of nausea and vomiting that you may have.  Choose the one that matches your condition most (I will sometimes rotate several until I get the result) 

HelpMeNaturalHealth.com offers a great description of some homeopathic choices:

Antimonium Tart: You will feel like vomiting soon after eating a meal - usually its undigested food and you feel really tired, like lying down on the sofa most of the time.Look at the vomit. Is there a thick and stringy mucus mixed with bile? If yes, then this remedy will work wonders.

Argentum Nit: You dread being sick, feel anxious about it all the time. You are farting a lot and want to eat lost of sweet foods.The sickness is made a little better from cold drinks and being in a cold atmosphere. Being in a warm room makes you feel unwell.

Ipecac: You just feel sick a lot of the time. Your mouth gets filled with saliva that you have to swallow. Look at your tongue. Is it clean? Ipecac has a clean tongue. You don't feel very thirsty and sometimes can feel a bit faint.

Petroleum: You feel generally sick but still you never loose your appetite. Mouth has lots of spit, some heartburn. You feel hungry in the middle of the night.

Pulsatilla: Emotionally you feel tearful and frail. The nausea and sickness comes and goes with no clear pattern. But you can't bear fatty foods and your tongue has a thick yellow/white coating on it. You would like to drink cold lemonade. Feeling a bit worse afternoons and evenings.

Nux Vomica;There is a hung-over kind of feeling to the nux state, a heavy head, a bit fuzzy. You may vomit or retch after breakfast, being generally worse in the morning. Your mouth has a bitter acid taste. You have become a bit constipated and generally irritable, snappy.

Anarcardium: This is similar to nux vomica but not so much in the morning and the nausea is relieved by eating.

Natrum Phos: A creamy yellow coating at the back of your tongue. Sour vomiting and burping, slightly greenish diarrhoea. Feeling achey in joints.

Carbolic Acid: Your sense of smell has become very strong. You long for stimulants, tobacco or alcohol but can't have any. Lots of farting, constipation and your breath has become smelly. - or you think it has.

Sepia: One of the most reliable remedies for morning sickness.All of the usual suspects.. but the nausea and sickness etc are accompanied by a dragging sensation around the lower abdomen. You are feeling tired and disconnected, no emotions, overwhelmed by the situation.

Sulphur: This remedy has burning acidic vomit which smells awful. You feel worse on waking in the morning, and may have an itchy skin rash and feel very hot.

Tabacum: This is a case of extreme nausea, which is made worse by the least motion, You mouth feels full of saliva all the time, you look pale and feel weak and have a sinking feeling at the pit of your stomach. Generally you don't want to be covered up and there may be some itching on the skin - this could be anywhere on the whole body during pregnancy.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Around 1 in 300 women suffer from a severe on-going nausea and vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum which may necessitate a stay in hospital for bed rest, rehydration and nutrient replacement. This condition is linked to the very high levels of oestrogen and chorionic gonadtropin which is released by the placenta increasingly until the end of the first trimester.

Some specialists feel that this condition is a symptom of a deeper psychological reaction to stress and that the chance to get away from the causation is all that is required. IF you do have this diagnosed and have medical intervention for it, remember that these remedies are very good for 'AND ALSO'.. so never just rely on orthodox medicine when you can add a more individual remedy to help YOUR health improve on a physical, mental and emotional level.

Whatever the cause, it is a very harrowing condition and practical treatment should be offered. There is a homeopathic remedy specific for the condition, Symthoricarpus Racemosa 200c every other day is considered a specific especially if these characteristic symptoms are present.Violent vomiting with nausea and retching, better from lying on the back and worse for movement.

I LOVE Hyland's brand.  I started off buying them seperately and liked them so much that I bought these 2 kits.


This is a basic kit for children & a good starter kit

This is for those who already use homeopathic medicine, like their benefit, and want to have a variety on hand.

A final suggestion for nausea is acupressure wrist bands for motion sickness. 

 I'll admit I tried them once on an airplane and they did not help...but I also know of people who say they work great.

Whew!  That's it!!!  I'll end with my lit'l disclaimer---I'm not a doctor so this is not an attempt to give medical advice or treatment.  This is my personal arsenal of ideas to get me through my next pregnancy.

Cheers:)

20,000 sheets of copy paper for 2 Pennies...Again!!:))

I just LOVE Office Max! 

They keep giving me free stuff!!!

Here's the scoop:

October, I buy  2 cases of copy paper  (20,000 sheets) for $68  

• I pay $68 out of pocket and the magic begins...  
• I get ALL my money back  (minus 2 pennies)  in MaxPerks rewards (it's like a store gift card)!!

November, more FREE rewards deals offered.

• I order $50 worth of office supplies (i.e. batteries, retractable sharpies, labels).  
• I use my Oct rewards, pay ZERO out of pocket plus get $50 back in rewards!  

Are you beginning to get the picture?

This week, Office max again is offering FREE and $0.01 items including cases of paper, heavy duty binders, quality pens

• You guessed it, I have $64 in rewards
• I won't pay a penny out of pocket PLUS I'll receive even more rewards!

Did I mention I'm saving this from 

the comfort of my own home?

SO EASY A CHILD COULD DO IT

Maxperks Explained:  

• You need to  sign up  for rewards card (online or in-store).  You are issued a store card with an ID no. which you must use when you make purchases. 
• When you purchase items (online or store) you give your maxperks number so purchase rewards will be issued to you
• Create an  online account  in which to view your rewards and to print out your redemption cards.
• At the end of each month, OfficeMax electronically issues any rewards you may have earned into your secure, online account. This reward will be issued by the end of the following month (usually around the 20th).  In other words, rewards for January purchases will be issued by the end of February.

Dinner-In-A-Can Transformations

You DO NOT have to make everything from scratch for it to be "homemade".  With a number of family activities on any given day, it can be difficult to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare meals from scratch.  However, it's surprisingly easy to give your family a home cooked meal....warming their hearts as well as their bellies. 

The trick?  Use the canned/boxed food as a base to build on rather than the main theme.

Here are some simple ideas:





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• Mac n cheese:  toss the dried cheese mix (I actually store it in spice jars to use as a topping for steamed veggies) and substitute freshly shredded cheese blend of choice.  Add 1/3 to 1/2 pkg of cream cheese for a rich, creamy homemade meal.  Optional: add vegetables or top with bacon bits.

 



Broccoli Cheese Soup


• Soups:  My husband was not feeling well last night and decided he'd like some soup.  No problem!  I used a can of cream of broccoli cheese soup as my base, tossed in some frozen broccoli, frozen corn,  milk, and fresh shredded cheese.  I also added some spices (garlic is a favorite).   Top with more shredded cheese.  He never even suspected canned soup and was very appreciative of having a nice meal:)  There are so many delicious recipes you can make with soup mixes such as pork chops & gravy, chicken cordon bleu or savory roasted sweet potatoes but I'll stick to the soup theme here. Other good soup bases:





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• Cream of Potato: can add same ingredients from above or any other veg of choice; or add sausage or ham

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• Cream of Mushroom: Add more fresh mushrooms and Parmesan cheese. Top with croutons



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• Cream of Tomato: add fresh veggies and egg noodles for minestrone

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• Clam Chowder: although from scratch is super easy and divine, you could add canned baby clams, bacon and serve in a bread bowl

• Chili:  I've acquired bulk cases of canned chili from couponing but we don't ever have plain old chili from a can.  Several options:




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• Chili Surprise: My pal, Rachel, gave me the idea to add canned black beans, chili beans, or any other favorite along with cubed beef chunks (canned or fresh).  Season with favorite spices such as cumin or garlic.  Top your bowl with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese.

 

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• Chili Con Carne: A simple favorite is to  add chopped link sausage to the chili.  Or use any leftover meats.

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• Chili-mac: add some cooked mac n cheese to the chili (I know a teenager who wins a chili cook off every year with this simple recipe...beating out many gourmet blends:)





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• Frito Pie:  add tomato sauce and pour over Frito's

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• Cornbread Chili: spread chili in a casserole dish, top with a cornbread batter mix and bake. Option: add canned green chilies to cornbread batter.

Useful Tips:

Recipes are never set in stone:  If you're like me, you come across a recipe you'd LOVE to try except the recipe is too tedious or time consuming.  However, there is usually alternative ingredients and/or cooking methods that will make it doable for you and delicious just the same.  Take my meat and potato pie recipe---I altered an 8 hour recipe that called for ingredients I've never heard of into an easy 1 hour meal using tasty ingredients on hand.

Spices are our Friends:  I have a handful of spices that go on most all my dishes (i.e. garlic).  Even the blandest canned food can be transformed with a sprinkle or two.

Mix and Match for your perfect blend:  I mentioned this trick in an earlier post for creating one of a kind gifts but it's just as useful to cooking too.  Make a recipe yours by adding your family favorite spices or ingredients.  It can become your own signature dish (but don't forget to write it down...so you will remember for the next time)

Keep A Recipe Binder:  It's a good idea to put your tried and true family favorites together in a recipe binder or box. You may be thinking it's not really necessary since you know those recipes by heart... but what if you're running late and you want your husband or kids to start dinner?  It's no problem if they know where to find the recipe.  Plus, you will want to note how you alter recipes for future reference (it's quite the headache to forget and then have to figure it out all over again).




From Assembly Line to One Of A Kind

Your personal touch can make anything a one of a kind.  



My homemade flower arrangement


A short Story:
My mom was in the hospital recently (if you're wondering where I've been lately).  She had emergency surgery after a sudden onset of symptoms.  I'm happy to report all is well.  The point I'm getting at is that my dad wanted to send her some flowers.  But instead of spending big bucks, I purchased a bundle of flowers wrapped in plastic ($10-15) and arranged them myself in a spare vase.

For an eye popping kick, I added delicate wood limbs from a spindly little tree hiding in the corner of my parent's yard.

Yep, this is the tree...so pitiful it almost blends into the fence.  But what a difference when added to a flower arrangement don't ya think?


I also purchased some of those Christmas scented pine cones and hid several in the arrangement.  Let's just say my mom's hospital room smelled quite delicious:)

One of a Kind Gift Idea:

With the Christmas season upon us, most stores carry an array of gift baskets ranging from candy & beverages to bath soaps & lotions. 

It is super easy make them beautiful and unique.  Simply add extra items (homemade, home cooked or store bought) and then re-wrap in cellophane with a beautiful ribbon, flowers, greenery, etc.  Your imagination is your only limit. 

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Some Ideas: using gifts boxes available at the local retailer. 

• Take them out of those hideous boxes.  People toss  beautiful baskets all the time (tag sale/garage sale). 
• Hot Sauce: arrange in a Condiment Caddy or basket; provide a roast recipe, or beter yet, bake the roast!
• Hot Chocolate: add personalized photo mugs (look for free online offers); replace cocoa with your own gourmet blend.
• Smores: add more chocolate, include smore party invitation, swap out mugs from hot chocolate box.
• Snowman/Penguin: attach winter gloves or woolly hat 

Useful Tips:

• you don't have to use everything in a store-bought gift basket.  Add and take away until you get a perfect combination and a one of a kind piece.
• If you have a small item that needs to be spruced up, add it to a gift basket. Instead of giving makeup in a plain box, I bought a gift basket that looked like a Christmas sleigh, filled it with makeup and candy and wrapped it in cellophane with a cute bow.
• take advantage of black friday & after Christmas sales to stock up on clearance items to re-package for birthday, hostess, or housewarming gifts.

Be on the lookout for a future post where I will use this same strategy to offer easy ideas on how to transform a pre-packaged dinner into a "practically homemade" meal that is sure to please.

Seminary Attendance Sheet (CSTAR Friendly)

I searched high and low for a seminary attendance roll sheet that would work well for us LDS seminary teachers.  I found some cute ones but needed something that would make it less of a chore come time to enter attendance into CSTAR.  Thus, here is my creation:

Download: Seminary Attendance Sheet

Why all the different colors?  It's actually not for looks at all...some of my students had problems keeping to their own attendance line which made for a huge mess (shading every other line 1 color did not help).  My answer is to assign students their own uniquely colored line.

You will find places to quickly add up total scripture reads, absents(A) and tardies (T).

If you list students in alphabetical order, it will be a breeze to transfer into CSTAR.

Finally, it's an Excel spreadsheet so you can change it to meet your needs.

Meat & Potato Pie

Not only is this quick and easy ~ it's pretty too! 

(your family may think you spent hours)

They say nothing spells love like a home cooked meal.  I say, presentation exudes love.  I basically took meat and a potato and arranged or decorated them to please the eye.  

Yea, I could have nuked a potato and slapped meat on the plate.  It would have tasted the same.  Yet I like to think my extra effort says "hey family; I love you; come sit, relax, and enjoy this beautiful meal I made especially for you".

Ingredients:

• 4 med-large pork chops (or meat of choice, approx 1 lb)
• 3 med potatoes
• (optional ) 1/2 lb. vegetables of choice i.e. sliced mushrooms, onions
• (optional) 1 cup or can of cooked brown gravy
• olive oil
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Useful effecient kitchen tools

make all the difference!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sear meat in a pan on high heat and then cube (you do not need to cook meat through, it will finish in the oven)
3. Thinly slice potatoes into rounds (I use food slicer for nice even slices)
4. Mix gravy, meat and vegetable in a bowl then pour into your baking dish (I used an 11" round baking stone).  Top the dish with potato slices laying in a concentric circle and overlapping each slice by about 2/3).
5. Brush top of potato with olive oil.  Then spice with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.
6. Bake for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Alternative Prep Options:

• you don't have to cook it in gravy, instead you can spoon gravy over your dish at the table (this is what I do because I don't eat gravy). 
• You may also leave veggies out of the dish completely and serve on the side; I've done both and it works great either way.  This recipe is super easy to work with and very forgiving.

veg & gravy served separetely

Side Veggie options:

• Whole Kernel Corn (I like frozen) cooked in a skillet with butter, seasoning salt and garlic until slightly caramelized
• Canned Green Beans with spaghetti sauce poured over the top (nuked)

No more Snatching Please!?

If your child likes to grab or snatch things from you--listen up--she may have learned it from you.  I know you think I'm nuts to suggest such a thing, but just come and let us reason together...IOW hear me out.

Old Testament Mad Gab Scripture Mastery Game

Here's my version of Old Testament Mad Gab (scripture mastery)