It has been a long past 2 days here at the Winkler home (and out and about!). On Mondays Isabelle attends a homeschool co-op martial arts class. So we are out the door by 9 in the morning. Afterward Sawyer and I had a chiropractor appointment with Dr. Amber James (she is so fabulous!). I took Sawyer to an impromtu doctor visit after, because of what seems to be a somewhat chronic ear issue. His ear, the right one, drains at least once every 2 weeks. It decided to bust again this weekend. :( So now he is on an antibiotic.

Yes, I am pouting about it...

I am hoping it helps, I really am. But it is already hurting his tummy. And since he never is feverish or cranky when it drains, I don't usually take him to the doctor. In fact he hadn't been in a couple of months. He will be 6 months next week, weighs 20 lbs and is 27.5" long!! My growing, chunky, fluffy, Little Bit!!

We went from the doctor, to getting lunch at River City Co-op, driving to Huntingburg, picking up *pet* milk at the dairy, going to the library, and, lastly, getting Sawyer's prescription.

We finished up everything so late that I was too tired to even make a real meal last night. It was supposed to be Meatless Monday. I let Matt cook for us, so we had bacon and eggs. lol!

Homeschool lessons barely got started, so they were finished up today, along with today's lessons. I am working with Gabriel and Dr. Seuss stories this week, adding some in for Isabelle on top of regular studies. Which is a bit lax this week. It is a short week, because we are going to Big Splash Waterpark with some other homeschool friends on Friday.

So yesterday I read The Cat in the Hat to Gabriel, and today I read the ABC book. We made "H"s in shaving cream and did some hat activities.

 

I finished up some of the boys' Disney clothes and got more bento supplies, too!!

Then I made dinner!! My Meatless Monday dish became my Meatless Tuesday dish! And it was yummy!!! Spinach Enchilada with homemade enchilada sauce. Guac and salsa on the side with strawberries!!

Here is the recipe; http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2012/03/black-bean-spinach-enchiladas.html

Plans for the weekend??? Gardening. 

I MUST get some things going! I need to get some manure spread, start some seeds to put in the greenhouse, and sow peas, kale, and spinach. Slowly, a bit at a time we are working our way from being the Winkler Home to transformation into the Winkler Homestead!

 Hope everyone has had a wonderful start to their week! God Bless!!

Who had a great weekend? We did!!!

My greenhouse is put up (now I need to get those seeds started!), I got a new Kabar knife, had plenty of quality time with my family, got some Disney planning in, and Matt and Isabelle worked a cookie booth today.

Doggie photo bomb! We actually had to move it yesterday because it wasn't getting sun.

We finished it off today with a yummy dinner! Venison steaks (from the deer Isabelle, my 10 year old daughter, shot in December), Barley Casserole, and Brussels Sprouts Caramelized with Apples and Bacon.

The Barley Casserole (I added 1 ts turmeric), http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Barley-Casserole-TasteOfHome?columns=4
Brussels Sprouts, http://www.littlepinkmonster.com/2011/05/19/roasted-brussel-sprouts-bacon-apples/

We also made a fresh loaf of bread today. I started the bread, but Matt kneaded it. He helps at meal preparation quite a bit. It's a fun time! His loaf came out so pretty!!

Yesterday we finished Little House on the Prairie. Time to get the next book! I ordered some craft and cooking books to go along with our stories. They truly are wonderful books!! I have half a mind to cancel Disney and roadtrip the prairie! lol!

Planning Disney is so different this year. First time in a deluxe resort, first time not having the dining plan, first time renting DVC pts, first time planning meals around, both, my dairy free diet and our more organic diet. I have found some good blogs to help with food allergies at Disney. I want to share them. In case anyone else is in a similar boat.
http://glutenfreedairyfreewdw.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_10.html
http://www.lauraschmittne.com/2011/01/gluten-free-and-dairy-free-walt-disney.html
http://lauriesadowski.wordpress.com/walt-disney-world-gluten-free-and-vegan/wdw-counter-service-and-quick-service-reviews/#lacantina


I got some sewing done for our trip over the weekend, too. I now have 7 completed outfits out of 51!! Yay me!!!! Hahaha! I also have 2 half finished. I will be busy! They are worth it! The kids I mean!! ;)

Our homeschool week will be loaded with Seuss! I have lots Pinned on my board!  http://pinterest.com/dandeerose/

It has been a good week! God has given us great blessings. Even now as my two older children are running in the yard, my husband is putting up my greenhouse so I can start my seeds for our first organic garden!

I am hoping to finish out the week with a family bike ride. We went on our first one last Thursday. It's a good thing I can't ride far. Matt needs a bike, so we swap out and ride along with Isabelle back and forth. The boys ride in a trailer. Sawyer doesn't like it much, since he is so used to being in a baby carrier! :) It's still good fun!

Sawyer got his first Amber this week. To some people this may look a bit scary, but it is fairly safe. He only wears it during the day. 

But why?, you may be asking.

"Amber is a natural analgesic and when worn on the skin, it releases healing oils that helps babies and young children to stay calm and more relaxed thoughout teething. Amber necklaces are a great natural remedy and can eliminate the need for over the counter drugs." from http://www.amber-teething-necklace.com/

We are a reading family. Currently I am reading aloud to the family The Little House series. We are on book 2. Everyone enjoys it! Even Matt! So, needless to say, we spend a good deal of time and money buying books.

Well, today was an extra special trip. You see, Matt wanted to visit a Starbucks , and practice his second amendment rights. Today is a special day for Starbucks and gun owners to share some love! Read the story here: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/gun-owners-show-starbucks-love-87955.html?hp=l5 

It was a moment of celebration. Matt also wore Sawyer in the Ergo for the first time! It was so sweet seeing him browse the periodicals while Sawyer stared up at him in wonderment, trying to figure out why he was in the carrier and looking at daddy! <3

As for me, I was able to enjoy one of their new Vanilla Spice Lattes with SOY! Yay!!! :D

How sweet are they!! Well, excpet all that hair! lol! Sheesh, I can't wait until he is ready to get rid of it! :P

So what did we get? Isabelle got The Hobbit, Matt and I got the magazine. The Seuss board books are to go along with Gabriel's (and Isabelle, a bit) "homeawk" next week! I have lots of Seuss-tastical things planned! 

My Bento box came today!!! YAY! It's my first one and boy do I have plans for it! Stay tuned! 

 On a sad note....

It was a sad day today for many in my family, as my second cousin Buster was laid to rest. He had an aggressive form of cancer and he made the journey to stand by the side of Jesus and his mother this week. Bless his soul. He is at peace. Please spare a prayer for peace in our loved ones as well. Thank you and God Bless.

Hello world!!

The past year has been eventful. We have had SO many changes, especially in the past 6-8 months.

Our biggest change was adding to our flock. Sawyer Ryan was born on Sept. 4, 2012.

First time Isabelle and Gabriel got to see him. Right after surgery.

Mommy snuggle time

His hospital photo. Scanner is broke, sorry!

We are totally in LOVE!! <3

Adoring big brother.

Discovering his hands.

Fluffy butt!

So, we had a major lifestyle overhaul right before Sawyer was born. Well, really we are still in the midst, but a LOT has changed.

As I did with Gabriel, Sawyer is exclusively breastfed. I had already planned to, but some of our overhaul revealed even more nasties about formula than before (especially mixed with tap water!!). I am also cloth diapering for the first time! I love it!

What else is different about this baby? He is intact. I am very much an intactivist. I was horrified when I learned what I allowed to happen to my first two boys when they were circumcised. We also learned a lot more about the dangers of vaccines, so none of those either! (Of course, I didn't want to vaccinate or circumcise before, but Matt finally got on board! ;) In the process he uncovered more reasons than I ever had before!)

There you have it folks.

I have become a Crunchy Mama....as in granola...as in Hippie Chick! And my family is healthier for it.

Where did all of this start???? Fluoride. Yes, fluoride.

It's a toxic industrial waste product.

After giving in to a "conspiracy theorist" at work, Matt finally looked at some things and mostly started with Fluoridated Water. Do you know how bad it is to SWALLOW fluoride? Read the back of your toothpaste lately? It has been banned in most countries, yet continues to poison America! Fluoride causes brain damage, lowers IQ, and causes bone thinning. Don't take my word for it, though. Research it yourself.

http://www.naturalnews.com/030123_fluoride_babies.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/12/jeff-green-on-fluoride-part-1.aspx
http://www.cheeseslave.com/top-10-dangers-of-fluoride/

Next thing you know we are the proud owners of a ProPur water system, which filters 95% of fluoride, and a ton of other yucky things they add to our water. We drink it, make tea, coffee, and do all cooking water from the filter. We are usually seen taking our own drinks places to avoid the fluoride everywhere else.

Well, thoughts on what we drink led to thoughts on what we eat. GMOs.... BAD news, people!

What are they?

Web definitions

A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMO

Doesn't sound horrendous. Until you start looking into what the "modified" them with.  

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/10936-monsanto-and-gmos-what-you-need-to-know-in-2-minutes.html

 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education

http://www.naturalnews.com/028245_GM_food_side_effects.html

Now we eat nearly everything organic or local. We prefer meats that are grassfed, antibiotic and hormone free. My family drinks raw milk from an organic farm (except Sawyer and me. Sawyer has a dairy sensitivity.) and eats eggs from grassfed chickens. It feels good making my family healthy!

On that note!! I made a yummy dinner tonight! It was supposed to be for Meatless Monday, but yesterday was a bit crazy.

On Mondays, at River City Food Co-op in Evansville, Matt and Wendy Wilkins, owners of a local organic farm, Vegetable Land, cook lunch! It is always an out-of-the-box and heavenly meal, all vegan. -On a side note, do you know how difficult it is to eat out with a food allergy/ sensitivity!? - Anyway, a couple of weeks ago they made a yummy vegetable pilaf. A few days later, at a homeschool play group, I asked Wendy for some tips on making it. I was surprised to find out that her husband, Matt, does a lot of the cooking! She is the baker (yes, they always come with dessert!). But I took the information she gave me and made it tonight. Mine is a bit different, I didn't have time to make the beans that were served on top, but that was ok! 

The veggies (minus the Kale) sauteing.

All finished!

Served with homemade bread! YUM! See my cloth UNpapertowel?? I made a set for my family!

 YUMMY!!! Want the recipe??? ;)

Alicia's Veggie Pilaf

4 green onions
3 carrots
4 stalks of celery
1 small- med sweet potato (I used a purple one!)
6 baby bella mushrooms
3 cloves garlic
1 large bunch of kale (steamed in bite size pcs)
2 C prepared barley
2 C prepared quinoa
1 C prepared brown jasmine rice
Salt to taste (I used celtic sea salt)
1/4 C EVOO

Chop and dice veggies while grains are cooking (just follow instructions on package). Steam carrots and sweet potatoes for 4 min in the microwave. Do the same for Kale.

Saute in EVOO- green onion and Garlic, add slightly steamed carrots and sweet potatoes, then, lastly mushrooms and celery. After veggies are a bit softened, add barley, then quinoa, then rice, salt to taste. Mix well. Add Kale last and toss.

Don't forget local and organic produce tastes better and is better for you! All of my ingredients are organic. Make the changes you can. Changing all at once is tough. Good luck and God bless!