"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."~Maya Angelou

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Welcome to my blog!

            I am so excited to post my very first blog and begin what I hope will be a long and memorable experience. In my blogs I hope to accomplish several different things. As a mom of three, and an early childhood educator, I am always looking for a fun new craft to do on a rainy day, or some great homemade holiday decorations. I am excited to share what I know with others interested in the same thing! I hope my blog is a place where others will also share what they love to do with their families, because everything that I know I have learned from someone else!

           Another area I will explore in this blog is thoughts and ideas on living a "greener" life.  My husband and I have really made an effort this year to turn our home into the most natural, safe environment we can, making small changes every month. One of our biggest changes was switching where we buy all of our household products, from all toxic chemicals to all natural cleaners from an incredible wellness company, Melaleuca. We have also cut out all artificial colors, as our son has terrible allergic reactions to food that contains them.  Little things, like making as much of our food as we can and using safe products in the home, are things I have learned from others, and because they have made such an incredible impact in my life I feel it is my responsibility to share what I learn with others. It is my sincere hope that I can help someone else feel as good as I do in knowing you are doing everything in your power to give your children the best environment you can.
            
           In addition to that I am looking forward to sharing information I learn about healthy eating and fun cooking ideas to do with (or without) your children!  For instance I just discovered making Kale chips, and now they are our every Wednesday treat! My kids love how they just melt in your mouth, and the crunchy, flakiness of them, and I really encourage all of you to try it at least once! My step-daughter, who is my oldest at 5 (almost 6, a week to go!) has to be one of the pickiest I have ever encountered. I made the chips one day after we visited a local farmer's market, and I swear she LOVES them! To make them is so simple and the benefits of Kale are never ending! I have included a bit about the power food at the end of this blog, so you can get a good idea of the incredible value of this food. To make kale chips:
I recommend using Kale that is curly at the tips, which tends to be darker purple in color. Start by pre heating your oven to 350.  Simply pull apart the leaves from the stem, ripping it into bite size pieces. Make sure not to include any of the stem on your baking tray.   Once you have your baking sheet covered with pieces of the leaf, drizzle with olive oil. I usually give the leaves a little toss to fully mix the oil throughout. Sprinkle with either regular salt or sea salt, and bake for 10 minutes. Voila! You have just made the healthiest, not to mention easiest and quickest, snack your kids will go nuts for, I promise!!

What Is Kale - Super Vegetable For Optimal Health

6 comments:

  1. What a great start to your blog Laura! I really look forward to reading more. We love Kale around here :-)

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  2. I just had Kale at Convention, for I believe the first time... LOL! She made a shake with it, and included... avacado, coconut milk, mango. I need to get her recipe and make it myself! Thanks for the great info!

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  3. Hey Laura, what a great blog! You've inspired me to finally start mine. I am looking forward to reading more as well. We love Kale here! Thanks so much.

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  4. When you make kale chips have you ever added nutritional yeast? Great source of B vitamins (the stress reducer vitamins). And very yummy too.

    Great post!

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  5. Hi Laura, thanks for the info on Kale! Now I'm going to get it next time and try to cook it with supper - so healthy and never really think about all the value and benefits as you mention. Great blog!

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  6. I'm so glad to hear that so many of you enjoyed this post! Theresa, my husband and I LOVE nutritional yeast, it's a must have on our popcorn, and we are excited to try it on kale. Please don't hesitate to "follow" this blog, and I will make sure to join yours!!

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