Where the Teacher Becomes the Student

One of my kiddos brought this to me today.  Apparently there is a family meeting tonight where they will challenge us to complete each "mission" sometime during the month of December.  Some as a family, some on your own.

I've always loved a good challenge!

Static Cling Much?

Snapped this picture yesterday when Gabe & I were jumping on the new trampoline.  His hair had me cracking up.  And now I am laughing again.....
(please take note of the Star Wars t-shirt that I purchased for my son.  When I brought it home he said, "You're the best Mommy eeeeeeever!")

ERGO Saves the Day....Again!

The only sure fire way your almost 2 and a half year old will not wander off as you are working outside.

Collard Greens Smoothie

Today's green smoothie is brought to you by Lauren and features collard greens.

This is the recipe for our family.  You may want to use a bit less.

3 c. filtered water

1 organic lemon, cut off outer layer of skin but leave pulp

1 organic mango, everything but the seed

1 organic apple, seeds & stem

4 large organic mustard green leaves

Grind this down and then open blender and add as many other organic greens as you can smash in.  Today we added dandelion greens, kale & red chard.  Our goal is to get about 1 lb. of greens in total. 

(I sprinkle chia or hemp seed in after I grind it)

Look at that beautiful green color!

The "ALT"

Madeline surprised me by sneaking in and making lunch for me today.  We spent every second outside (even schooling) since it was 70 and sunny.  That's what you do in the Midwest when its November -- or anytime really!

Here's her recipe for what we call the "ALT"  -- avacado, lettuce & tomato

Spread some coconut oil on an Ezekiel wrap and throw it on a hot griddle
Load it with smashed avacado (she added a squeeze of lime and garlic), diced tomatoes and salt/pepper
Throw another wrap on top
When its almost done, lift the top wrap and add a handful of your favorite greens.

We happened to have some organic, no nitrate bacon on hand today so she cooked a slice of that and added it to the wrap as well.  Delish!  What a treat for me to sit on the patio and be served lunch by my 10 (and a half! ;)) year old daughter!

Chocolate Pecan Spelt Cookies

I helped Mommy make cookies with spelt today.  We ground the spelt into flour and away we went.
(and before you go thinking I got into the liquor cabinet, that's homemade vanilla in the vodka bottle!)

My friend Kathy gave me the recipe.  I'm posting it below but you can find it here....along with lots of other yummy recipes and tips.

1 1/4 cup fresh milled spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup sucanat
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup oil  (I used coconut oil)
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Combine syrup, vanilla, oil in a separate bowl and then add to dry ingredients.  Mix until just combined.  Add chocolate chips and pecans.  Drop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.   This recipe only makes about 12-16 cookies, so you may want to double it.

......me again....as a side note, I always refrigerate my dough for a few minutes before baking (if you are using freshly milled flour.)

Art 301

Madeline created this piece today which she titled, "New Beginnings."  Her interpretation:  The sun represents God and the tree represents us.  The leaves are our love that we are giving to the world.

Abigail titled her painting, "Sunship Earth."  Her interpretation:  Everything works perfectly together between the earth and the sun and everything has its own job.....God created it that way.

Lauren stuck with markers and a dry erase board and titled this picture, "The Dolphin & the Palm Tree."  Her interpretation:  This is a picture of a dolphin in Hawaii.  He's gotten close to shore which is why you see the palm tree.  I'm not sure who's in the sailboat.