Top Ten Breakfast Ideas

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I don’t like milk.

There I’ve said it.

I’ve done some research about my nemesis milk–and humans simply do not need to drink milk.  I did a google search on “do I really need to drink milk” and read for hours–it was very interesting.  I love science.   I also searched “why do we drink milk” and the economics of milk is also fascinating.  I had no idea there is so much scuttlebutt over milk.

We have had some food “sensitivities” in our house over the years and when I switched to organic milk most of the milk related issues went away.  But organic milk is expensive.  So I started figuring out ways to save money on milk.  If you buy a case of milk (4 gallons) at Whole Foods they give a discount.  So I would buy the milk and a few friends would buy a gallon or two from me.  I also went onto the websites to get coupons for the milk.  I wanted the milk but did not want to spend 3 times as much per gallon as non organic.

I decided to only use milk for cereal.  Then as my awareness of food increased and I continued to read labels and research what I was allowing to come into the house I decided to limit the amount of cereal to one or two bowls a week/person.  I just want to say that a $4.00 box of cereal and a $4.00 1/2 gallon of milk can wreak havoc on my budget.

So what do I feed my kids the rest of the week?  So glad you were thinking that because–I have an answer!

  1. Oatmeal–add nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit on top . . .
  2. Eggs–scrambled, over easy, omelettes, a breakfast Quiche . . .
  3. Toast and Raspberry Jam
  4. French Toast Bake (I use the recipe from Great Harvest Bread Co.)
  5. Pancakes (pumpkin, chocolate chip, banana, peanut butter, red velvet)
  6. Yogurt and fruit
  7. Granola Bars
  8. Muffins–I like pumpkin, banana, carrot
  9. Grits, cream of wheat, rice pudding
  10. The “Uncle Ross” breakfast of black coffee, English muffin and a grapefruit.

This list evolved over time in our family.  I did not just get up one morning and say–no more milk!  As I was compiling the list I thought, “I could write a book about this”, and then I thought–I really can!  I can write an e book.

What do you think?  Would you like to read more than a list?  Recipes?  The history of milk (probably not–that is just my personal passion–flying my geek flag!)?  Let me know in the comments or send me an email.

Be Blessed as you prepare breakfast after breakfast with loving hands and a joyful spirit!  (that is what I want my prayer to be but more often it is “God help me.  Who’s chore is it to clear off the table?  It is sticky again.  The floor looks like a dirty barnyard floor and Oh NO, I forgot to buy the dreaded milk!”)

I’m linking this post up to Mindful Mothering, Frugal Fridays and other food blogs–see my linky list page.  Countdown 2013

Kindle Book–Jeff Goins

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I’m inspired.  I have the passion.  Finding the time is tricky–especially now with school–2 home schooled, 1 in preschool and 1 in “away school”, and all in soccer!!!  I love connecting and I write everyday–but may not post.  I’m even motivated to start another blog joyful learning to pair up with joyful living.

But I still need to read other writers who inspire me.  I spend some time reading other blogs and I follow the the writings of Jeff Goins–his blog and his books.  This is an ebook from him that I downloaded onto the iPad via the kindle app.  Now I have something to read during soccer practice.

This is the email that he sent out and I’m sharing it on my favorite link ups!

Works for Me Wednesday
Women in the Word Wednesday
Living Well Wednesday
Unwrapping His Promises
God Bumps and God-Incidences
Whatever Wednesday and Work in Progress Wednesdays

LifeasMom

Hey friends,

This week only, I’m giving away a FREE eBook on the subject of tribe-building. It’s called Every Writer Needs a Tribe.

This is a collection of some of my best posts and pieces on the subject, plus a few exclusives, all edited and laid out for you, the writer.

If you’re not sure why you need a tribe or IF you need one, this short eBook (10,000 words) can help. Also, some of the content will be a great introduction to the course.

Oh, and it’s free (did I mention that already?). Get it before Sep. 9, 2012. (Note: this promotion isn’t available in all countries, but most.)

Get your free eBook on tribe-building HERE.

Talk soon,

Jeff tribewriters.com

P.S. Feel free to share this with a friend. You can forward this email or share the link via social media: http://amzn.to/TXkUKq

Love Language: Words of Affirmation

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The last two weeks I have written a top ten list and posting on the blog Many Little Blessings concentrating each week on one of Gary Chapmans Love Languages.  There are five love languages; gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch.

This week is Words of Affirmation.  This is a hard one for me!  I’m not exactly a drama mama but I am on the loud side–I have 3 talkers and 1 talk/screamer.  Of my 3 talkers–one talks non stop, one asks questions non stop and the other is always singing–and they are never talking or asking questions about the same thing.  Sometimes by the time breakfast is over I feel like I’ve been a personal Google site with 1000 of hits.

I try to answer all the questions and patiently listen to all the comments but I find myself constantly saying the same things.  Such as this scenario:

  1. Get in the car.
  2. Go to the bathroom before you get in the car.
  3. We won’t be back for a couple of hours–get a water bottle before you get in the car.
  4. Get out of the car and go put some shoes on.
  5. Yes, please get your stuffed animal and get in the car.
  6. (sitting in the car getting ready to pull out of the drive way) Oh, wait!  I need to pee!  I forgot my book! Do I need a jacket?  and on and on and on.
  7. Repeat for the next trip.

Sometimes I get flustrated.  Shocking I know.  Sometimes I use words that are NOT affirming.  I give looks that are not affirming and I even have a prayer “Jesus, please help me” that is a little on the sarcastic side–lets be clear I’m not proud of any of these things–but in my quest to be authentic I feel the need to be honest.

I know how important affirming words are and yet I let getting in the car throw me into a tail spin.  I’ve really been working hard for about the last 2 years to use affirming words (since I listened to the CD).  The easiest way I found to start is to make a list so I have a go to move.  When I’m overwhelmed it is hard to say “have a super duper lolly luper day snookie wookums”.

So here is my top ten list–which I’m sure will be more like a top 40 because I have 4 kids and they all need to be affirmed verbally in a different way.  I do verbally affirm the kids (and my husband) but I also give them notes.  My personal favorite is hiding notes for them–in pockets, under their plate at dinner, write on their banana in their lunch, my son and I have a secret code . . .

Before I do the list I wanted to mention that words of affirmation is not my love language–good thing because I grew up with lots of sarcasm and rudeness.  I have found that as I get older I seek less validation from the world and more affirmation from my husband and kids.  This summer I had my kids keep a gratitude journal–that was very affirming for me–they think I’m the best Mom ever (on most days).  The gratitude journal is a way to practice using our words of affirmation.  Check out this September guide to gratefulness from Ann Voskamp.

These are my top 27 affirmations:

  1. I love you.
  2. I love your laugh.
  3. I love how you put your outfits together.
  4. You make me smile.
  5. Can you tell me a knock knock joke?
  6. I love you to the moon and back.
  7. Let’s play the “I love you more game”!  No, I love you more .  . .
  8. Can you read to me?
  9. Thank you.
  10. Please.
  11. Wow, that was such a huge help to me!!!
  12. Thanks for getting in the car without my heading spinning around–I appreciate that!  (said without sarcasm)
  13. You play the piano, guitar, drums so much better than yesterday.
  14. Can you play me the song that goes like . . . I love that one.
  15. I need a #1, #2, #3 and a #4 helper.  Which one do you want?
  16. I’m going to try to do everything without complaining or arguing–anybody with me?
  17. I am thankful for you.
  18. I’m so happy God made you my kid!  All the other Moms are bummed.
  19. I’m so lucky to have a girl like you!
  20. I love your freckles.
  21. I’ve never seen eyes your color before.
  22. Thank you for thinking of me.
  23. I’m going to try really hard be gentle, loving, kind and respectful–will you try too?
  24. Welcoming each day with a genuine, heartfelt “Good Morning!” and I have a little different “good morning” for each kid, “good mornin’ time”, “good morning beautiful”, “good morning–I missed you” and “good morning, how’d you sleep? or did you have a good rest?”  They know who is up by the words that I use.
  25. Cleaning goes so much quicker when I have your help.  or when you sing.  or when you read to me.
  26. A smile.
  27. My friend gives her son a “thumbs up” when things are going well.  I like non verbal “words” of affirmation.

I’m stopping there–partly because I need to get back to my real job of being a mom and the other is that I think I could write 100’s.  I work really hard to lift my kids up with positive words and with their own journals I hope that they are learning for themselves to see that “in everything give thanks” is the way to a happier day.

There are lots of apps out there that have reminders–if you have trouble getting started using words of affirmation–schedule them in.  We schedule everything else–why not?  There are also lots of apps for affirmations–I was surprised at how many.  I don’t have these apps but they were fun to look at–do I need my phone to tell me I’m beautiful?  No, but not gonna lie–I smiled.

Today I’m linking up with these awesome writers.

On Your Heart
Soli Deo Gloria
Hip Homeschool Moms
Top {Ten} Tuesday
What I Learned This Week
Titus 2sdays
Teach Me Tuesday
Domestically Divine
Heart and Home Linkup