Sunday, July 31, 2011

Garden crisis!! Your help needed!

I really don't like to post depressing news, but I am feeling so discouraged about my garden! Let's just get it out of the way...

The tomatoes are still green, I have only gotten one cucumber, the blooms are just falling off the zucchini plant and I don't see one pumpkin growing yet. I had to move the peppers because they weren't doing well, and well, they aren't doing ANY better. The leeks are still tiny, the celery is also skinny and I had to pull up the cauliflower because it turned black!!

Depressing!!

OK, there is a little good news. The corn finally headed, so I am hoping for corn, the carrots are doing really nicely, I had a great lettuce harvest, and the sunflowers are coming along nicely. I also have a beautiful basil harvest too.

But, what about the other things?

Does anyone have any ideas? Why are the blooms falling off my zucchini's? Why did the cauliflower turn back?

Here are a couple of photos of good things, but I have to tell you I was hoping to put away/preserve a WHOLE LOT MORE...

I need advice...encouragement... help me out, ya'll!

Can't wait to eat you!!
It's a white carrot!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Dairy update...organization upate and then??

Hello everyone...
First I wanted to start off with a photo of our corn! I seriously thought it would never head! I am so glad it has...now let's pray for germination!


Secondly, wow. Posting about my dairy trial got a lot of comments and my hearts go out to everyone who has been dealing with troublesome dairy issues way before me.

An update. I have avoiding cheese, yogurt, kefir and milk for week. I have only had one moment of temptation (during which I caved to some cheese), other than that I have been alright. I do miss my kefir and yogurt big time though.

So how is my health? I have been loosely following my diet with a diary. I am noticing a few foods I eat that cause me to have headaches afterward. Anything heavy, big meals, etc. I am also noticing how little water I drink...which is a big no-no.

Has anything happened not eating dairy? Nothing huge. But, here are a couple of notations I have made: I have not felt sick to my stomach one time. Not once.
I do feel like the mucous that had built up in my system has been decreasing (I will spare you the 'nose blowing' details...) But, I am not sure if dropping dairy will have a huge impact on me. I expected more, ya know? But, I will not quit, I will persevere and do the whole 2 week trial and discuss it with my health coach.

In the meantime I am much more aware of what I am eating and how it makes me feel. I am becoming a real believer in food = medicine.

Organization Update - 2 weeks later
I'll be honest with you. It doesn't stay clean by itself.
It felt great to have an awesome springboard, but I still have to keep swimming, you know?
I still need to organize parts of the house in-total, including the pantry (the pantry has been haunting me for 6 months!) and the upstairs. So, I want you to know it's a daily battle. I need to be honest with you,  this is no magazine house!
But, I am still extremely happy with what was accomplished that week AND how it inspired many of my readers here and on Facebook to attack the problem areas in their own homes.

On a personal note, I have been coordinating a Vacation Bible School at our church for the last 3 days and I am whooped! What an incredible team of volunteers we had to teach the 50 plus kids! Thank you God for blessing it!

- See you soon, Jenny

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Goin' Dairy Free

I have had some real difficult health challenges in 2011. Despite the fact that I am epileptic, I am a generally healthy person. But, in 2011, I guess my age is starting to catch up with me. I have been fatigued (from like 2-7 every day) and sick to my stomach alot...the list goes on.

Well instead of popping a pill, I decided to really start looking at my diet. As you know probably, I firmly believe in food and the fact that food really matters. What we eat can truly affect how we feel on a daily basis. Alot of us need to learn more about food and come to a conviction that everything...EVERYTHING...we put into our body matters. Drinks, snacks, meats, even vegetables and fruit.

I made two major steps. I had all my paperwork transfered from the doc's office I signed up with in 1995 to a local MD who also works with patient's in a holistic manner. She is open to alternative methods of medicine. Also, I started working with a great, and I mean GREAT health coach. She has asked me to remove dairy from my diet for 2 weeks and keep a food journal, which I am doing.

Going without Kefir, yogurt and cheese...well, I hate it. I love those babies. Esp. my yogurt. I know you can buy alternatives, but I am not that thrilled with soy yogurt and really shouldn't have it in the house because of my son's (both of them, now!) soy allergies. So....

Anyway, I am waiting to see what happens. Mainly I am looking for clarity of mind, less stomach sickness, and to improve the stasis (can I use that word?) of my "operating system" (ya know what I mean?)

So, I am beginning to research milk online.
Here is a website I came across and I wanted to share it with you.
www.godairyfree.org/The-Dairy-Free-Challenge.html

Also, check out my health coach's website! She is really great!
www.healthytoyou.com

That's it for today! More organizing posts will be coming soon. We start Vacation Bible School today!

-Jenny

Friday, July 22, 2011

Organizing Bootcamp Day Five

I can't believe how quickly this week has gone. I feel like I got so much accomplished, it's hard to believe the office was only this past Monday.
I wanted to take a moment and show you the dining room.

It went from this...

To this!

I decided to take away my much loved miniatures...I do love them, but they were serious dust collectors and looked messy.

Here's the rest of the room (before)...

And after...

I removed 2 big pieces of furniture from the room, and decluttered big time.

One more shot...

We brought that hope chest in from the living room. It was my grandmother's when she got married in 1930.

The boys had their last day of camp today. It was 90 plus degrees for the last 3 days, but I got a lot done. I have some things still to do that I haven't gotten to. They include the pantry, kitchen and the upstairs. But, I was extremely pleased with how much I got done this week. I hope it was fun for you too! I will continue to post as I get other projects completed.

Have a great day! Jenny

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Organizing Bootcamp Days Three/Four

I was WIPED OUT yesterday and did very little cleaning. But, I am back on track. Did I tell you we have a 7 year old's birthday party to throw this weekend???

Anyway I wanted to reveal the PLAYROOM makeover.

It went from this...

To this!
You can see the kids have already been taking advantage of the space.

Let's look at the shelf. I didn't take a great before photo. But, it was BAD. Stuff was falling off the shelves, everything was mismatched and piled on top of each other.

So, when I see THIS now, I am HAPPY!

Here are some other angles...including the other side of the room.

This...

And this...

I want to take a moment and tell you about some of the realizations I had in the playroom:
1. There was too much stuff. It got messy. Because of these two things, the children were NOT inspired to play, use their imaginations or spread out and enjoy the space at all.
2. I bagged up ALOT of small toys, "junk" and pulled it out of the room. I plan to not throw these things away immediately, but to put them in the attic and see if the boys even miss them. If they do not, I will go through them one more time and pull out a couple of things, and then DONATE IT ALL. Eliminating so much stuff out of this room changed it's whole mood immediately!
3. I didn't BUY a lot of storage gizmos. I am fortunate to have a dear friend who donated some nice storage bins to me, and I went to the dollar store (the DOLLAR STORE) to buy those nice little green and blue bins. The bigger blue and green bins I got at Target for $3 each. I also re purposed other bins/drawers/etc I had already and I had the brown couch cover stored away. To organize, you do not have to buy a lot of new things!
4. I tried to stow away, store away and put away as much as I could and not leave stuff "out." Also, I didn't mean to leave that lamp there. It isn't staying there, LOL!

Since I am done here, I am moving on to the KITCHEN, PANTRY and DINING ROOM. Tomorrow I will do the second floor.

Despite its Efforts, even Whole Foods Cannot Keep GMOs Out of the Products it Sells

This is a very interesting article I found on www.naturalnews.com and I thought my blog followers would find it interesting.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011 by: Tara Green

(NaturalNews) Genetically modified foods have become so ubiquitous in the US that even the grocery store 'Whole Foods' now admits it cannot keep biotech foods off its shelves. A representative for the corporation acknowledged in May of 2011 that the realities of the marketplace have forced a shift in the company's previous no-GMO's policy.

(Correction note: The original title of this article has been altered to better reflect the accuracy of this story. As a clarification, Whole Foods does take steps to avoid GMO ingredients, but due to the massive use of genetically engineered ingredients in the food supply, it is currently impossible to avoid GMOs in conventional or "natural" products. As a result, many food products sold at Whole Foods do, in fact, contain genetically engineered ingredients, even when Whole Foods would prefer they didn't.)

Joe Dickson, quality standards coordinator for Whole Foods Markets, notes that GMO's dominate the market, especially for corn, soy and canola crops from which ingredients in most processed foods are derived. "Until there's federal government mandated labeling of GMO ingredients, there's no way to tell if packaged products contain GMO ingredients," Dickson said. "Our approach is to work in the spirit of partnership with our suppliers ... to encourage them to take active steps to avoid GMO ingredients."

In spite of public skepticism about GMO foods, the FDA has backed Monsanto and other corporations, declaring that modified foods do not require special labeling letting consumers know they are eating Frankenfoods. This is in contract to the European Union, where public concern over health issues resulted in a moratorium on GMO's. Many European countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Austria and Luxembourg have banned genetically modified foods, while other countries in the EU permit their sale only when products include clear labels of GMO ingredients.

Whole Foods' recent admission proves how successful the biotech companies have been in their efforts to replace foods unadulterated by hormones with Frankenfoods. The fact that one of the best-known purveyors of natural foods has decided to throw in the towel rather than holding the line against biotech foods means consumers will have fewer places to go in their quest to buy non-genetically engineered foods.

Jeffrey Smith points out in his book Seeds of Deception, the biotech industry has co-opted the watchdog agencies of the federal government and sought to silence critics in the media and the scientific community who question sloppy science which they use to "prove" the safety of Frankenfoods. Natural News readers should read Smith's book to understand the efforts Monsanto and others have gone to -- including smear campaigns and threats against those who seek to present other points of views and the theft of research materials contradicting their biotech claims that Frankenfoods are completely safe.

Even the long-standing EU "zero-tolerance" policy on biotech foods has shown signs of cracking in the past few months, as the Union considers lifting import restrictions which formerly kept US-grown GMO's from being sold in Europe. As reported on Natural News late last year (http://www.naturalnews.com/030828_G...), the forbidden information which surfaced through Wikileaks included documents revealing that the US government has conspired with the biotech companies to pressure European countries on the issue of genetically engineered foods.

Move past the propaganda put forth by Monsanto and their government lapdog agencies by educating yourself on the dangers of GMO's both on this website and in Jeffrey Smith's books and website. Try to keep your diet Frankenfood-free by finding a local food coop whose "quality standards" do not involve caving in to the biotech companies.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011...
http://www.naturalnews.com/031224_G...
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Pub...
http://www.euractiv.com/en/trade/eu...



Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032628_Whole_Foods_GMOs.html#ixzz1Sk3A68vg

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Organization Bootcamp Day Two

Well, I am pooped again. Even more pooped. This takes a lot of energy! It's no wonder we don't do this more. There are alot of decisions to make, and sometimes, at the end of the day, you just want to skip over them. But, you have to persevere because you don't have the time to commit to it any other day.

But! Major changes today!

The living room saw the game table area go from this...

To this!

I brought the black table which was in the kitchen at the craft center and put it here instead. The old game table has been completely removed. But, wait, there's more! I took ALL my workbooks for the kids, coloring books and games and puzzles and fit them neatly into this area.


Do you remember my craft corner?

Awful right?

Well now it's in the living room and it looks like this!

There are a couple of more photos I wanted to share with you of the living room. We cleaned out clutter, moved the couches and re arranged stuff.

From this...

To This!

And this...

Still working on the playroom, dining room, kitchen and pantry. Then it's on to the second floor!

I had a partner in crime today! Thanks hubby!

See you tomorrow! Jenny

Monday, July 18, 2011

Organizing Bootcamp: Day One

Boy am I tired. But a good tired. Some of you emailed me during the day and I thank you! While the boys were getting very dirty at camp...I up to my elbows in papers, dust, junk, and paint!

But! We made serious progress.

We went from this...

To this...

That black shelf was the biggest purchase I made. I felt like I deserved it. I needed just the right piece to store my books and hide some other desk type stuff away behind drawers. I haven't gotten everything back in it's place yet, but you get the general gist. Now, let's cross our fingers and say a little prayer that Jenny can keep it this minimal! I did some painting with a can of paint I purchased a year ago which I THOUGHT was perfectly matched. Owell. It wasn't. The plan is to do the entire kitchen with the brighter yellow, so...

In regards to my desk area, we went from this...

To this!

Here's a different angle...



Notice the general lack of stuff. I also bought three of those banker's boxes (they are grey and black) which are pretty sturdy. I purchased them at Ocean State Job Lot. I threw away the AWFUL cardboard drawer thing I had next to the desk. It was worthless - you couldn't even pull the drawers out. Alot of the stuff has been thrown away or placed in the plastic drawers in the above photo. Again, say a prayer for minimalism.
I would also like to put a little light on my desk for cozyness.
Did you notice I painted the bottom of the desk black? I had a little fun with the black spray paint. yeehaw!

Today, I also removed my seed started greenhouse and put it on the front porch (out of the dining room), and moved all the craft stuff and workbook stuff into the living room. But, that is not done yet, I will post photos tomorrow.

I prayed on and off all day and asked God to direct my footsteps today. So grateful my hubbers took tomorrow off to help me!

I will be posting again tomorrow night...hope to see you here!

a happy and grateful, Jenny

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Preparing to PURGE

Ah, doesn't that sound good?
Purge, downsize, declutter, simplify, scale back, organize.
This is no "spring cleaning" I am attempting.
This is no "get some baskets and put things in file folders" cleaning attempt.
This is bottom to top, stem to stern, complete household overhaul.
Let me show you why...

Yes I have a good self esteem or I would not be posting this process. The house is definitely full of love, the problem is that it is full of ALOT of things...
And that's just one area.
Yes - I am going to post before and after pictures.

They will be revealing, vulnerable and very, very... well,messy.
Then I am going to blog about what needs to be done and my plan to do it.
Why?
I am sick of so much stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff. (Jeffrey, my four yr old calls it "junk')
I have way more stuff than I could ever need, but more importantly, because I have so much of it, I can't maintain it all.

I'll never forget the book I read eons ago about organizing that said something about how we "buy boxes to store our stuff instead of just getting rid of it..so it controls us and we aren't in control of it."
(Or something like that)

That's how I feel and I CAN change it.

I feel that God has blessed us with so much, but we are not being good stewards of it at all, and this bothers me very much.

I am assembling to grand plan right now. Both the boys will be in camp from 9-4 for 5 days next week and having free reign of the house should help a lot. I am asking my husband to take a day off to accomplish any heavy lifting ideas. I am researching creative ideas online and in books and I am reaching out to organized friends for advice. I am praying. Praying for energy and that mostly, after it's all over, that it WILL LAST!

So....this is only the beginning of the beginning. I will be posting regularly, and I hope you will come along with me on this journey! I am looking for creative ideas and anything practical will be considered!!

Jen

Monday, July 11, 2011

Peach Pickin'

We are on a mission this summer! I am going to expose my children to every 'pickable' form of vegetation out there if I can. Beside my garden, we have gone blueberry picking, strawberry picking and now....peaches!


The boys we into it just like they have always been. This definitely makes my heart very proud. Mommy even learned something.


The peaches we picked were at one of the most beautiful places ever, the incredibly long running, family farm at Lyman Orchards. This place has it all, not organic in my understanding, but certainly local. They also do pick your own raspberries, apples, jostaberries (what are these??) and blueberries.

He's not as sad as this photo makes him look...


So, before we left, I asked the boys to name three things we would be making with the peaches. We decided on peach jam, peach pie and peach cobbler. Now, needless to say, they know what jam is but they have no idea what cobbler is. Additionally, the thought of making a peach pie is really intimidating!! I hope that works out! (gulp) Does anyone have any good peach pie recipes out there? Send them on over!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

To homeschool or not?

I have wanted to homeschool since my son was 2 years old. To watch the learning process in action, see them developing and growing before my very eyes, and to be a PART of it, has always appealed to me. I am in the process of researching it in our area as well as digging deep inside of my to see what my motivations are.

So far I have found out:
- There are hundreds of different approaches to homeschooling.
- Many parents are opting for it as of late.
- There are support groups all over the place.
- Homeschoolers are BUSY!
- There are many different reasons to homeschool.
- You can buy used material in a lot of different place. (yay!)

Some of my reasons to consider this are presently as follows:
- I think a lot of time in public school is wasted. I believe they could get a good education at home in half the time.
- I want to be able to focus in on some of the stuff they LOOOve to do, such as science, math, sociology and chemistry nevermind what I enjoy such as history, photography, music and writing.
- I am extremely concerned about the influence my boys are subjected to being in such a secular environment (public school/preschool) - how it will change them, what habits they will pick up...
- Both my boys have a handful of food allergies...protecting them during the school year can be a complicated task.
- I think it's important to think outside the box, education included.

I have fears too.
- My older son loves socialization. I know that I could provide many opportunities for that, but, I wonder if he would actually miss the classroom?
- Would I be able to mix the roles of parent/teacher?
- Would they accept me in the teacher role?
- Would I get bored or perhaps feel trapped after several months?

I have purchased a lot of books, I am researching online and I am lucky to have people to talk to about it (homeschoolers and not homeschoolers).

I believe, with much prayer, by the end of this summer, I will know what I want to do. I wanted to post about it because I think homeschooling is picking up popularity lately. A lot of families are making this choice and I as I go through this journey, I want to share with you what I learn! I hope it is beneficial!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Get the most out of gardening in JULY!

I know you are thinking the same thing. July already? I can't believe it. If you live in a colder climate like I do, you need to pay close attention to your gardening opportunities. I said to my husband the other day, "I don't know WHAT I am going to do in the Winter." He said, "CAN stuff?" I had to explain to him that I do most of my canning in the Summer/Fall too.

But, here we are half way through the growing season, are you making the most of it?

Strawberry season is winding down (you still have time), blueberry season is in full swing and raspberries are coming soon. Our gardens will begin to offer us meal options pretty soon, in the form of summer squash and broccoli...but what else do we need to pursue?

Here are some ideas:

Go to your local farmer's market. I went to the Windsor Farmer's Market this past Thursday and was so pleasantly surprised with the variety they were offering. Here is a picture of the jams being offered by one of the vendors. You may be able to find veggies that you aren't growing or items that are just shy of being ready in your own garden.

Check out these strawberries!

Another thing you can do this time of the year to enjoy local gardens is to participate in a local "Garden Tour." Windsor Historical Society is hosting one this month and I will be there!

Another thing you should be doing now is taking some notes on your garden this year. Come next January, you will not remember which week you harvested your peas or which week the brussel sprouts began to peek out. Do it now so that you have an accurate accounting of your growing season. Not only will it help you make decisions on what to plant next year, it will assist you choosing varieties and growing styles.

Here is a link to a site that can offer you a gardening journal layout.
http://www.northerngardening.com/gardenjournal.htm

Lastly, make sure you are actually enjoying your garden space. When you take a walk in your yard, try not to see all the things that need doing, rather enjoy the beauty that God has placed in every pepper plant, green bean and lettuce leaf.