tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73263286080439829052012-02-21T10:30:32.463-05:00A Spirited Mom's Search for SolutionsAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-69226091048894141942012-02-03T11:55:00.000-05:002012-02-03T11:55:23.345-05:00

If you’ve ever made SCD bread, you know how fickle it can be. During cooking, it collapses creating an ugly slump in the middle of the loaf, and when you try to eat it, it crumbles. But, with a little extra attention in the end, you can keep it from falling apart so easily. The trick is to slow down the cooling process. Here’s the recipe, adapted from Keri’s French Toast Bread at SCDrecipe.com

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-34608038022180300672012-01-02T13:25:00.000-05:002012-01-03T09:35:21.379-05:00

Happy New Year! Not only is it the beginning of a new week, it’s the beginning of a new year, the time when many of us vow to get into shape, eat better, stick to a schedule, . . . . You know the drill. For the most part, I’m one of those people the FlyLady calls “born organized.” Yet, in the midst of daily life, I struggle to make sure my family eats healthfully. Given our diverse dietary

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-13205020390408108152011-04-21T07:00:00.003-04:002011-04-21T16:10:58.650-04:00

So technically it’s not cheating, but here’s an easy and inexpensive way to start Bento-ing for your kids without laying out big bucks, or driving to one of the large metropoleis if, like me, you live in a region lacking in Japanese food supplies. Of course you can simply order online too. Which I did. But that’s another post.In the baby/toddler products aisle of stores like Meijer, Wal-Mart, etc

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-52379244760198157242011-03-31T10:44:00.002-04:002011-03-31T11:10:57.762-04:00

Photo used under Creative Commons from gameneWithout whining about all of the details, I’ll tell you that I spent 17 hours this past weekend cooking. Am I crazy? Probably. But when my husband mistakenly said earlier this weekend that I was “enthusiastic” about my daughter’s diet, I had to correct him. “I’m not enthusiastic; I’m desperate.” Those of you who have kids with behavioral and/or

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-20874173450420683042010-09-29T12:05:00.006-04:002010-09-29T12:48:48.848-04:00

Holidays, for SCDers, can be a challenge. Since Halloween is coming up, I’m brainstorming some workable SCD solutions so I don’t freak out at the last minute. Please remember, not all of these foods will work for everyone, especially if you are new to the diet. And the small bits of dried fruit and nuts may not be suitable for especially young ones.I’ve broken this down into two lists, the first

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-29712951459962232062010-05-10T19:18:00.003-04:002010-05-10T19:37:49.941-04:00

Hmmm. Another dilemma, another solution.My husband’s chemistry lab is wrapping up for the semester and he wanted to bring a meal they could all share. Since like many of you, we’re on a budget, we finally came up with a nutritious solution that fit the dietary requirements of all of the students as well as the ease-of-preparation stipulation that this meal will be cooked on-site in a

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-64467839930979613352010-05-08T19:12:00.003-04:002010-05-08T20:45:08.164-04:00

Mother’s Day is here—almost. It’s not too late to wow Mom with your thoughtfulness (if not your preparedness). Thankfully, now that the economy has tanked it’s en vogue to be cheap, so you no longer have to feel guilty about saving a little cash while waxing sentimental. And if you want to know a little secret, moms really do like homemade gifts better. They’re the gifts we remember and treasure.

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-54940044296891744492010-02-08T12:19:00.006-05:002010-02-08T12:44:35.515-05:00

I hope you’ve been either lavishing your Valentine with kind words and treats already, or that you’re gearing up for the big finale.Here are a few more ideas, so no excuses ☺.Food:If you’re devising a themed Valentine’s make sure to include theme-related foods.Prepare a special meal or make his favorite cookies or buy her favorite ice cream.Get up early and prepare breakfast. Have a favorite

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-4153852983300837582010-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:002010-02-02T09:58:34.792-05:00

Yep, it’s almost that time of the year, the oft-dreaded Valentine’s Day. But this year you have a new mantra, “No fear.” In honor of my sweet husband, who many years ago gave me a gift on each of the first 14 days of February, I’m sharing with you fun, frugal, fabulous Valentine’s Day ideas. I hope that you’ll treat your partner to some of these ideas for the next 14 days.I love themed

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-22628181175846085252009-11-01T20:55:00.002-05:002009-11-01T20:58:18.476-05:00

A number of years ago, someone important to me was killed in Iraq. That experience, in combination with a discussion during my women’s writing group tonight about the art of letter writing, led me to write a letter that will be delivered by Operation PAL, a group of dedicated volunteers who organize letters for injured marines.In this time of economic hardship and increased stress, it is easy to

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-8581383621926970712009-10-14T11:52:00.014-04:002009-10-14T12:26:34.921-04:00

I love my 1986 copy of the book Stocking Up III: The All-New Edition of America’s Classic Preserving Guide. I appreciate the simplicity of the recipes, many of which are SCD legal, for their fundamental ingredients and back-to-basic techniques.I adapted the Stocking Up apple cider and apple butter recipes for the final product below, which I have to say, we all thought was pretty tasty. And any

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-69635219099902853642009-09-25T10:47:00.003-04:002009-09-25T10:54:16.503-04:00

Well, or at least “want” is the mother of invention. In my never-ending quest to find everything a little more economically, yesterday evening I was researching how to make attractive garden edging that actually works! I have edged one of my combined food/ornamental garden beds four times since the spring, and between you and I, I am done with that. However, I can not stand my yard looking

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-36157336453236723372009-09-21T13:31:00.006-04:002009-10-14T12:31:45.722-04:00

In our neck of the woods, apples have just started coming into season. Since our family is working more toward eating in-season foods, and away from buying foods when they’re not in season, we stock up on produce whenever we can.Whether you grow them, pick them yourself, or buy them from the orchard, local farmers market, produce stand, or store, it’s more economical and healthier to buy apples

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-43053834261029372302009-09-16T09:00:00.002-04:002009-09-16T09:00:00.749-04:00

In a recent post I mentioned low- or no-cost social gatherings as being the most fun. It’s kind of like dating on a budget. It really stretches your imagination!As a couple with young children, one of the greatest expenses of getting together with other couples is childcare. When our neighbors moved in last year, we found the perfect solution. First, you know how rare it is to find that special

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-25535805252451163692009-09-14T14:08:00.003-04:002009-09-14T15:15:11.647-04:00

The September 2009 issue of Good Housekeeping features an article entitled “Our Year Without Shopping.” While it’s not the first social/financial experiment I’ve seen along these lines, especially with the relatively recent downturn in the economy, like the others it made me ask myself, “Could I do it?”Since my husband and I embarked on our Get Out of Debt/Do Not Pass Go adventure a few years ago

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-81531251011703381082009-09-10T18:38:00.003-04:002009-09-10T18:51:52.870-04:00

Although the next installment of the Grocery Budget Extreme Makeover isn’t quite ready, here are a few workable ideas from Oprah.com to add to your grocery budget arsenal.I’ve utilized all of these ideas at one time or another and I have to say that using a slow cooker is my personal favorite, not only because it’s cheap and healthy, but because it’s a huge time saver. I feel most productive on

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-21518502813593956082009-09-10T13:04:00.001-04:002009-09-10T13:08:55.078-04:00

Success comes in all shapes and sizes, and as I’ve gotten older (yeah, I hate that) I’ve realized that my definition of success has changed, sometimes willingly, sometimes not. Since I’ve had children, and especially since I’ve terminated my professional identity outside the home, I’ve come to recognize that success can be measured in teaspoons instead of cupfuls, and when that’s the case, it

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-92217914340786035682009-06-29T20:11:00.003-04:002009-06-30T10:59:56.948-04:00

Before I get to the nitty gritty of today’s post, let me apologize for having fallen off the blogging bandwagon. The combination of summer schedules, gardening, health concerns, and an upcoming return to homeschooling has hijacked my time. Sorry. I have more installments of the Grocery Budget Extreme Makeover in store for you—as soon as I can get to them.Until then, I thought a little vintage

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-45174862473307924732009-06-23T11:23:00.004-04:002009-06-30T21:42:08.210-04:00

Chemistry in Action: GloopThe following article was written by my 10-year-old daughter, Sofia.Hello! This is Sofia. Today my sister and I made a cool experiment—Gloop! It’s made of borax, glue, and water. We mixed it up outside and spent the next half-hour playing with it. I even made a Gloop bracelet! The Gloop is stretchy and kind of sticky. Adding more borax makes it less sticky. It was

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-58367937930858150352009-06-12T11:08:00.002-04:002009-06-12T11:13:15.119-04:00

Level 3: Super SaverAsk Yourself: Do we throw away too much food? According to foodnavigator-usa, University of Arizona anthropologist Dr. Timothy Jones’ research on food waste revealed:“On average, households waste 14 percent of their food purchases. Fifteen percent of that included products still within their expiration date but never opened. Jones estimates an average family of four currently

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-52565207928658360332009-06-08T09:11:00.003-04:002009-06-08T09:34:33.684-04:00

If you’re a parent who has taken Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, you’ll remember when he talks about what you would be willing to do if your child had a curable disease that required you to raise thousands of dollars in a short period of time. Without hesitation, I bet every parent in the conference facility—or watching Dave on video—was on board. I know I was. And I still get teary

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-30259064564163810022009-06-05T09:50:00.002-04:002009-06-05T09:53:03.212-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaAsk Yourself:The questions that we will be asking ourselves throughout the Grocery Budget Extreme Makeover are what I call the Hard Questions. They may not be fun to answer, but they’re necessary if we are to be honest with ourselves, improve our family’s health, and save money.Here’s the question: Do we eat out too much? Do you know what percentage of your income you spend at

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-25987303637820891462009-06-01T08:45:00.003-04:002009-06-01T08:53:32.705-04:00

In my earlier days I certainly never saw myself as someone old enough to have been married to the same person for 13 years—and never did I see myself as someone old enough to be fighting off gray hair—but that’s a post for another day. Officially, my husband and I have been together for 17 years, 13 of those as husband and wife. Like all couples, we’ve had our share of challenges, but here we are

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-46728964386360371542009-05-29T08:39:00.003-04:002009-05-29T08:51:14.584-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaShop WiselyDecrease the number of trips you make to the store—any store. This will decrease your exposure to “wants” thereby decreasing impulse purchases. Really, it works! Not to mention, it is good for the environment. Think about how many ways this reduces your carbon footprint. It also decreases wear and tear on your vehicle, and how much you spend on gas. Calculate how

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-51440747379378475722009-05-27T10:42:00.003-04:002009-05-27T11:02:14.510-04:00

Hello, my fellow frugal friends. The last time I tried to buy baking powder at the local grocery store, they were only selling a brand with sodium aluminum sulfate in it. So, when I needed some earlier this week I decided to do some research and found a few different, but similar, recipes for making it on the cheap at home! I thought you might appreciate the do-it-yourself nature. According to

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-19008320192756943132009-05-25T08:18:00.002-04:002009-05-25T08:23:17.995-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaChallenge YourselfLook at the three most expensive items on your grocery receipt and find less expensive alternatives. Click here and here to see how others answer the question, “What’s your most expensive grocery item?”Every month I reevaluate all of my grocery expenditures and search for lower cost alternatives. Here are a few items where I have found less expensive

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-12579856032400706322009-05-22T09:20:00.002-04:002009-05-22T09:24:28.027-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaChallenge YourselfSet a Goal. After you calculate how much you typically spend each pay period for groceries (not including toiletries or other non-food items), set a goal to decrease the amount you spend by at least 10% the first month. For instance, if you spend $500, you would set a goal of spending no more than $450. (30 seconds to set the goal if you’ve been keeping track

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-42339380795492750312009-05-20T10:02:00.002-04:002009-05-20T10:07:35.611-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaBe PreparedAfter planning your meals and preparing your grocery list, set a price cap for each item based on the in-season sale cost and vow not to pay more than that. Make sure to have contingency plans so that if an item costs over your limit, you can substitute a different item, or use a different recipe. (15 minutes)For example, if you planned to serve peach pie, but

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-72922466206449767782009-05-18T09:02:00.002-04:002009-05-18T09:15:43.499-04:00

Level 2: Dollar DivaAdd to Your SystemMenu for a month: This is much easier than it sounds and takes less time every time you do it. First, locate or make, by hand or computer, a blank calendar or meal planner that has plenty of room for writing. Second, grab your family’s calendar for the month and mark on the blank calendar any dates when you won’t be eating at home. Third, note on what dates

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-46028237360971085252009-05-15T12:26:00.002-04:002009-05-15T12:31:11.926-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleAsk Yourself:The questions that we will be asking ourselves throughout the Grocery Budget Extreme Makeover are what I call the Hard Questions. They may not be fun to answer, but they’re necessary if we are to be honest with ourselves, improve our family’s health, and save money.I hope you’re sitting down. Here’s the first question: Are our portions too large? According to

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-56762945394633945602009-05-13T10:06:00.002-04:002009-05-13T10:16:29.579-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleStart a SystemKeep track of your food wisely:1. Organize your refrigerator so that every item has a place. For instance, keep all beverages on the top shelf, all leftovers on the second shelf, all condiments on the second shelf of the door, etc. Make up a system that works for you and stick to it. I know it sounds odd, but using labels inside the refrigerator serves as

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-56215834389382838762009-05-11T12:25:00.003-04:002009-05-11T12:59:13.345-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleShop Wisely• Shop alone! I know it can be incredibly hard to shop without your children, but doing so can be a huge time and money saver.• Shop on discount days at stores that offer them. Some stores offer discount days for seniors or students, while other stores have monthly discounts for everyone. • Choose where you shop wisely. Buying all of your groceries at the same

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-2636126433154710402009-05-08T10:50:00.002-04:002009-05-08T11:01:46.220-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleChallenge Yourself• Use an envelope system for groceries this month, if you’re not already. See how to set one up here or where to purchase one here. (15 minutes to set up if you have not made one before) • Challenge yourself while using the envelope system. Instead of putting your entire grocery budget for the week or month into the envelope, put in only a percentage of it.

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-37025138808514221792009-05-06T13:06:00.002-04:002009-05-06T13:10:02.074-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleBe PreparedPrepare a list of five to seven quick dinners and post it on your cabinet door (or someplace less conspicuous if you prefer, like the inside of the cabinet door or in a notebook). Make sure you have the necessary ingredients on hand for these dinners. Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry now. Write missing items on your grocery list before you forget.I utilize a

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-72304423275530086312009-05-04T09:19:00.003-04:002009-05-04T09:29:54.638-04:00

Level 1: Bargain BelleGet Organized• Place a blank piece of paper on your counter in a notebook, or taped to a cabinet in your kitchen, in a location where it can live for the month. (30 seconds)• Whenever you or a family member realizes you’re ALMOST out of an item, write it on the list. (10 seconds)• Organize your list: Make it easy on yourself and write the item on the list in the approximate

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-61509007647126052642009-05-04T09:12:00.001-04:002009-05-04T09:14:32.189-04:00

After a few emails asking how to subscribe to LivingLaVidaMama, I did a little search for tutorials and found this one. Not only is it the best tutorial I found, but the site is enjoyable to read and full of feisty frugal ideas; definitely my kind of place.

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-5901569371325828912009-05-01T09:55:00.004-04:002009-05-01T10:15:35.841-04:00

Happy FruGal Friday everyone. As I always say, I know the name is corny, but the thoughts are sincere.Next week, the Grocery Budget Extreme Makeover will kick into full gear. To get ready, we need to have a good sense of how much we spend per week, or per month, on groceries and other food.If you’re doing the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace University, then you probably have a

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-75061949049494773032009-04-29T09:14:00.004-04:002009-04-29T09:37:21.274-04:00

I have fond memories of my grandmother making mayonnaise when I was younger. I did not get to see her often since we lived in a different state, but whenever I visited she tried to broaden my taste bud horizons. She was Scandinavian, having immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden in 1950 with her young family, bringing with her not only some beautiful artwork and antiques that I’m blessed to now own,

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-85233927596263159562009-04-27T07:32:00.005-04:002009-04-27T10:14:27.954-04:00

First, as always, please let me remind you that I am not a medical professional. I’m a parent like you whose first concern is the safety of her children.Yesterday, we had a scary experience that I wanted to share in hopes of preventing this in another child. My older daughter, who is 10, came home from a birthday party with heat exhaustion. The outdoor temperature was much warmer this weekend

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-79217849244791831052009-04-12T06:00:00.001-04:002009-04-27T10:15:12.353-04:00

I feel a little guilty that I didn’t even try to make SCD Easter candy this year, but we did at least do Easter baskets.1. Real Easter eggs the girls dyed: Many were dropped by Eliana during the artistic process, but they still count, right ;)2. Egg-shaped sidewalk chalk3. Handmade (by my crafty neighbor) pom-pom bunnies4. Seeds and bulbs/corms to plant in their own gardens: carrots, beets, dill

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-52394082541481441902009-04-10T15:27:00.003-04:002009-04-27T10:15:33.877-04:00

Hey, it’s FruGal Friday again. (I know the name is corny, but the thoughts are sincere ;)Today when I was doing some research for a product I wanted to purchase—and find at a discount—it occurred to me how much money I’ve saved over time by researching products beforehand.The obvious thing to do is to research the quality of the product you’re interested in. The key is to find a reputable site

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-87544053822367395862009-04-10T09:00:00.006-04:002009-04-27T10:15:51.867-04:00

I can make quick, easy, and economical compost.For you gardeners out there, you know how long it can take to make compost if you utilize a traditional compost pile, especially if you’re like me and don’t turn it that often.Last year, being the frugal-minded gal that I am, I decided to make compost out of a crock pot full of fish from which I was trying to make an SCD broth for my daughter. The

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-88133095053519881392009-04-07T20:37:00.003-04:002009-04-27T10:16:19.646-04:00

I can make coconut milk (and puréed soups).Today I was making what we call coconut-lentil soup. Its real title is Indian-Style Lentils, a vegan recipe from Susan O’Brien’s Gluten-Free Sugar-Free Cooking book. The recipe requires coconut milk, another product that is hard to find in SCD-legal form. So, I whipped out my trusty Vita-Mix and made some.Recipe:1 cup unsweetened, dry coconut4 cups

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-1957870538421768972009-04-07T16:30:00.003-04:002009-04-27T10:16:39.132-04:00

I can make applesauce and fruit leather.You can choose to make raw or cooked applesauce, and raw or cooked fruit leather. Since my daughter doesn’t tolerate uncooked fruits and vegetables as well as cooked, I cook hers. Here’s my most recent recipe for cooked applesauce.Recipe:8 medium organic apples (3 Granny Smith, 5 Fuji)2-3 Tbs. honey½ cup filtered waterJuice of 1 key lime (the tiny ones)

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-66561985789165607542009-04-07T16:00:00.001-04:002009-04-27T10:17:01.779-04:00

I can make almond milk.Since kids on the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) can’t drink milk due to its lactose content, it can be handy to have nut milk available for recipes. Commercial nut milks often contain ingredients that are illegal on the SCD. However, with the Vita-Mix, making nut milk is super easy and fast. And you know exactly what’s in it.Feel free to alter the proportions of this

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-58135687968018173762009-04-07T15:30:00.002-04:002009-04-27T10:18:38.076-04:00

I can make nut butter.It’s hard to find raw nut butter as a finished product. So, if you don’t want to consume roasted nut butters, the Vita-Mix is an easy way to fix that.Recipe:Your choice of raw nuts, such as almonds or cashews, blanched if your diet requires it.Approximately 3 cups of nutsExtra virgin olive oil, approx. 1 Tbs., optionalAdd the nuts to the Vita-Mix. Make sure you have the

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-74044755363206296822009-04-07T14:12:00.003-04:002009-04-27T10:19:10.969-04:00

I can make almond flour—and save a lot of money!The last time I checked my closest Whole Foods, almond flour was about $14 per pound. However, I can make it in my Vita-Mix for less than $5 per pound!There’s a trick to it however. And that is to never use more than a cup of nuts at one time. Otherwise you’ll probably end up with nut butter.Recipe:¾ to 1 cup of raw, blanched almondsPlace almonds in

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-83611313051693206632009-04-07T13:59:00.004-04:002009-04-27T10:19:35.534-04:00

I can make high-calorie, high-nutrient smoothies for my daughter who needs extra calories and iron.Smoothies have almost as many variations as there are stars in the sky. So, pick what you and your family like, what’s on sale, and what works for you in your stage of the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet).I particularly like this smoothie because you can’t taste the spinach, but get the health

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-49146982240287906182009-04-07T11:46:00.003-04:002009-04-27T10:19:56.952-04:00

As a SAHM with a child who sometimes has behavioral challenges, it’s easy to get into a rut, especially after a bad day. Yesterday was one of those days. It started off positively and I felt good that I was able to coerce a friend—another SAHM who needed to get some work done on her home business—to let me watch her little boy, who is about a year younger than my younger daughter. He was the

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-61780942907439385862009-04-07T09:00:00.004-04:002009-04-27T10:20:20.593-04:00

I can make Shrek Juice.Shrek Juice is our version of a green smoothie/green lemonade. My SCD girl and I love it. I adapted the recipe to make it work with the Vita-Mix and SCD, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.Use as many organic fruits and veggies as you can afford.Recipe:½ to 1 head of romaine lettuce (the kind that come three to a package, not the large heads you purchase individually)1 sweet

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-3483550482615738742009-03-30T09:00:00.006-04:002009-04-27T10:20:42.687-04:00

Remember, I am not a medical professional and I am not offering medical advice for you or your children; I’m just sharing with you the challenges of being an SCD mom ;)For those of you who have kids on the SCD, especially those who can be severely behaviorally challenged, you know how an illness can put your whole family into a tailspin. This past weekend was one of those times for us. Actually,

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-25229975180160929452009-03-02T08:49:00.013-05:002009-10-14T12:33:26.761-04:00

For my recipes, please scroll down.As someone who feels overly governed by her frugal sensibilities, it took me a few months of research, internal negotiation, and resource creation before I took the plunge. As an illustration of my frugal nature, I’ll tell you that in our 18 years together, my husband and I have purchased only two new pieces of furniture. No, we don’t live like college students,

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-22098408089395152712009-03-01T17:12:00.002-05:002009-04-27T10:21:26.935-04:00

Posts of some of our SCD experiences are below. For recipes, please click on Recipe in the label cloud.Our SCD story, how we found it, why we use it, and how it's changed our family, is coming soon.SCD Freezer CookingSCD Easter BasketSCD and the Stomach Flu

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-24178274038810892982009-02-24T09:00:00.004-05:002009-04-27T10:21:48.847-04:00

Since I spend way more time than I’d like to doing laundry for my family, and since organizing is in my blood (I used to be a professional organizer), I developed a few tricks for minimizing the laundry timesink.1. I got rid of all of the laundry baskets in individual bedrooms and bathrooms. Instead, I set up three cloth hampers in the laundry room and labeled them: darks, lights, and whites. It

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-26199989232645011842009-02-23T09:00:00.003-05:002009-04-27T10:22:07.756-04:00

I had another post planned for today, but since I’m a huge fan of the pantry challenge, I just had to tell you about this. As you know from an earlier post, we recently experienced an enforced pantry challenge during the power outage. And I’ve also chosen to conduct pantry challenges in years past, both to save money—and because I love a challenge.Here’s a link to the NY Times blog about eGullet’

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-30575975948809959952009-02-09T09:58:00.002-05:002009-04-27T10:22:28.412-04:00

This weekend, I took my first ever retreat. It wasn’t what you might think of as a retreat in the traditional sense, but it was definitely a retreat for me, and it might appeal to other busy, frugally-minded moms. Initially, I was going to attend or create a retreat for myself in some delectably warm place, far away from what I consider to be the recent frigid temperatures of my home. As a native

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-31310006244071055052009-02-03T20:25:00.008-05:002009-04-27T10:22:49.702-04:00

(For specific recipes, please click the Recipe label.)Every year for Christmas since my mother-in-law died, my husband and I have been preparing meals for my father-in-law to put in his freezer. He doesn’t need “things,” but he loves having the food for days when he isn’t interested in cooking for himself. This past fall, when my husband’s grandmother died, I wanted to do the same thing for his

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-13954609928955732582009-02-02T20:20:00.003-05:002009-04-27T10:23:07.644-04:00

My youngest daughter has a carbohydrate malabsorption disorder and requires a specialized diet, called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. She’s been on this diet for almost a year, so thankfully, I’ve figured out the sometimes complicated challenge of what she can eat. And so, I felt proud that we had been able to stock the freezer with appropriate foods for her. Because the foods can be time

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-59010316420506819132009-02-01T19:45:00.012-05:002009-06-12T11:16:11.154-04:00

Some of the references and jargon in this document are based on the teachings of the FlyLady and Dave Ramsey. If you are not familiar with them, I strongly recommend that you check them out.I developed this system when I was facilitating a Financial Peace small group. When I explained that I cut our family’s grocery budget from $600 to $250 per month, one of the students commented that I could do

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-71559725882775804932009-01-31T20:16:00.003-05:002009-04-27T10:25:06.304-04:00

On this, the 5th day without electricity, the power finally returned. In our house, we punctuate much of our daily lives with words or titles from songs, so “We Got the Power!” was our tune of the day—at least in my head ;)As much of the Midwest, we were affected by the ice/snow storm of late January. Although it would have been nice to travel off to some place warm to wait out the storm, my

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326328608043982905.post-9169468823294284112009-01-23T19:00:00.015-05:002009-05-03T15:04:10.327-04:00

About MeHi Everyone,My name is Angela and I’m living La Vida Mama with my husband and two young daughters in the Midwestern U. S.: Zone 6 for you gardeners.Although I’ve exchanged my life as a professional for my life as a professional mother, and my life as a medical student for my life as a student of marriage, parenting, and life, my sense of commitment and love of learning have only

Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07531438229420415706noreply@blogger.com