Spring Into Reading

I’m finally getting around to some of the blog posts that I have been yearning to gather enough  time to post . . .

And though late, here is my Spring Into Reading list.  These are the books that I “hope” to read and finish by June 20!

• Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell
• Dark Day in the Deep Sea (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne
• Max on Life* by Max Lucado
• The Whole Bible Story* by Dr. William H. Marty
• Another Dawn* by Kathryn Cushman
• The Girl in the Gatehouse* by Julie Klassen
• I’d Be Your Hero:  A Royal Tale of Godly Character by Kathryn O’Brien
• Eve of the Emperor Penguin (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne
• Amon’s Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide (great book to read prior to Resurrection Day)

• Spiritual Growth of Children by Dr. John Trent (Focus on the Family)
• The Traveler’s Gift* by Andy Andrews
• 1000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
• Seeds of Turmoil* by Bryan Wright

* denotes upcoming book reviews

Phew . . . I think that is it . . . actually, I know a few others are sitting on my nightstand.  But I’ve overwhelmed myself.  Not really.  But kind of. 

My Greenhouse

The focus is on regrouping.  Learning from past mistakes and instant successes. 

I envision another square foot garden . . . but with a to-be-determined un-square-like twist.

I left my 4 square and 1 triangle garden behind . . . and acquired a field of weeds.  A space to do anything with . . . make any dream come true so long as my thumb remains green and my husband is willing to work (shhhh!).

The first major change of the gardening season relates to soil preparation.

It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.  (Ezekiel 17:8)

As usual I am using Mel’s Mix,

• 1/3 vermiculite
• 1/3 compost
• 1/3 peat moss.

However, thanks to some nifty tips from My Square Foot Garden, I scooped out a bucket of Mel’s Mix and added just enough water to make my “soil” moist and clumpy. 

Then, my children plopped it ever so gently into the soil’s new black beds.

Using a sharpened pencil I poked holes for little hands to distribute their personally selected seeds into. 

On a side note, I am pleased to say that they each chose flower packets so that they could bless me with petals this summer.

In fact, today I received beautiful, carefully plucked spring “what’s it called?” flowers during recess.

Back to the topic at hand, when my garden team was  finished, I made sure that each tiny little container had a mound of dirt on top, like so.

Why?

Well, since the soil as already wet, I really didn’t need to water the soil.  So, the mounds remain.  The idea is that by being mounded it creates a way for the water to run off instead of sitting on top of the dirt and harboring a safe refuge for mold to grow.  (Not that this has ever happened to me.)

Besides, it works best to water from below.  The soil and roots can work like a straw.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.  (Psalm 1:3)

I’d say that my new method is working. 

In fact, it’s working so well that I kind of have forgotten about my tender shoots. 

My greenhouse has preformed significantly better than previous years.  Now, location could have something to do with that . . .

But I have failed to grow mold this year.

And coming from a woman who enjoys growing bacteria . . . this is saying a lot! 

For the next stage of my growing, per the suggestion of The Square Foot Gardener, I need to submit my plants to a fan . . . in order to make their trunks strong.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  (James 1:12)

All I have yet to do is come up with a design for my garden . . .

Many things are already sprouting . . .

I am most excited about some new additions to our hopeful harvest:  spinning gourds, miniature pumpkins,  birdhouse gourds, Silver Queen okra, Stowell’s Evergreen corn, Rossa Di Trento lettuce, Purple Top White Globe turnips, Crystal Apple cucumbers, and Golden Midget watermelons. 

But what remains is a well-thought out plan . . . a meandering, contemplative green place where real food thrives, children and hearts are nourished, hands work alongside the Lord, and the Hubby sees some profit from his travail.

Psalm 128

¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
   who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
   within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
   around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
   for the man who fears the LORD.

⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion;
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
   peace be on Israel.

Many thanks to the Homeschool Village for holding me accountable to document our family table.  Be sure to enter my giveaway for a free flower printable download to complete with your Toddler! 

A Relevant Giveaway: Flower Printable

A Relevant giveaway . . . spring has sprung and sprouts have turned to multiple leaves in my green house. 

And this year is Gabe’s introduction to gardening. 

I found the perfect unit to show him God’s creation and to share in my excitement of horticulture. 

The package that I bought looked so great that  . . . well . . . I bought two!  One for the Granola house and one for your house! 

I also purchased two units from 2 Teaching Mommies because I understand what these moms are doing . . . like me, they are planning on attending Relevant and trying to pay their way via their blog by sharing their gifts and talents. 

So I wanted to bless them in the same way many of you have blessed me.  You see, when you click and purchase a product from my Amazon links or Cultures for Health ad, or subscribe to the Grain Free Meal Plan, Nourished Kitchen meal plan, the Get Cultured Course, or the Reversing Food Allergies Course . . . I earn a little bit of income.

That income is helping me go to Relevant.  

If I go to Relevant . . . I will become a better blogger . . . with better content . . .  able to manage my time better . . . and be a better wife and mom . . . one that shines better more for the Lord.  (Better just worked well for this paragraph.)

Anyhow, want to win the Flower Unit?  Perfect if you are also linking up with the Homeschool Village Garden Challenge.

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me, what is your favorite vegetable.

Optional Entries: 

1. Enter the Little Light Creative Giveaway
2. become a Granola Mom on Google Connect
3. Give yourself an entry if you have some sprouts growing.
4. Give yourself an entry if you linked up to the Homeschool Village Garden Challenge.
5. Tweet about the giveaway:  Garden/flower Unit Printable Giveaway @GranolaMom4God  http://t.co/iwto2K6

Giveaway ends:  April 20, 2011

Open to anyone who has access to the internet.

45 Free Narnia DVDs

My bloggy buddy, Conny, has got an insane amount of The Chronicles of Narnia DVD’s. 

Approximately 45. 

And one of them could very soon end up in your DVD player. 

Just drop by her blog, The Life of an Ordinary Hausfrau, and mention that I sent you and that you would like to have one sent to you for free!

No strings attached!

Grain Free Meal Plan Giveaway

I am about to date myself.

Growing up there was a commercial on television.  The entire goal, as far as I can remember, was to encourage children to read . . . or rather parents to read to their children. 

Guilt them into it. 

It was quite effective.  (My mom always read to me . . . I just mean the jingle was effective.) 

I still know it. 

Perhaps, I did watch too much TV . . .

“The more you read, the more you know. 

The more you know, the farther you go.”

I heart reading.  Not because the TV told me to . . . it’s just that my imagination does a much better job. 

 Pumpkin Seed/Sesame Crackers

And reading has given me great knowledge, both spiritually and worldly.

I am also a big fan of applying what you know to your life.   James 1:22-24 will forever be ingrained in my mind.

You see one of my dearest friends in college (Larra)  was studying to be a physical therapist.  She applied her learning a bit too literally and would stick my feet in ICE COLD water*  as we tried to memorize the following verse together,

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.   Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Though this verse applies to learning scripture and actually putting in to practice what you have learned . . . I try and apply what I learn in all areas of my life. 

waffles with honey syrup 

Thus far, God has yet to steer me wrong . . . with my spiritual walk and with the food that we eat.  (I’m far from being perfect in any area though I have been guided well!)

I am in the process of applying what I am learning . . . so that as a family we can go farther . . . live better . . . serve with vigor . . . shout from the mountain tops (that our God not only reigns, but heals).

Which brings me to our adventure for the next couple of weeks, if not months, towards healing our guts and following the GAPS diet, which you have heard me talk about before. 

turkey sandwiches with homemade mayonnaise 

I’m kind of excited, and kind of nervous.  By following the “protocol” it will mean that at times we will be eating differently than others . . . family functions, church meals, fellowship gatherings . . .

But there is a purpose to it.  A hope.  A healing. 

home prepared sausage 

I’ve learned so much reading the actual GAPS book by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride (from the library) that I have to act upon this knowledge (and buy the book). 

I have to do what it says. 

So, while we are waiting for Cara from Health, Home and Happiness to come out with her introductory meal plan for the GAPS diet, we have been munching away through her monthly meal plans in preparation. 

crepes

They are great. . . . especially if you are overwhelmed by the list of what to eat and what not to eat to support a nurturing environment to heal your somewhat fragile insides.  So far the kids have LOVED every meal I have cooked from Cara’s Grain Free Menu plan.

 

What do her meal plans contain?  Pretty much everything but the grocery store!

Each month you can expect to find:

• Food that can be made by busy families (you do have to plan ahead, though)
• Packable lunches for busy schedules (it would behoove you to read the menu plan before your workweek starts in order to prepare certain items)
• Child and husband friendly meals
• Nutrient dense foods including liver and fish at least once a week as recommended by the Weston Price Foundation (I am still struggling with the liver . . . )
• Simple alternatives to expensive gluten free mixes
• Directions to remind you to soak, sprout, and do other preparations ahead of time (Cara’s reminders are perfectly timed and sooooooo helpful!)
• Fermented foods to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria (and you know how much I love to ferment!)
• Cooking tips and tricks- all recipes have been tested multiple times in Cara’s own kitchen

pancakes

I’d like to offer 3 readers a free 1 month subscription to The Grain Free Meal Plan .  If you have been on the fence about whether or not to

1. go on the diet
2. purchase the monthly grain free meal plan ($16/month or $130/year – only 35 cents a day!)
3. consider an alternative to your current daily diet . . . this is the giveaway for you.

Cara is the real deal.  She’s a mom who has a beautiful daughter, who happens to have autism.  She is also a mom who is proactive.  And she figured if she wanted a meal plan that followed the GAPS diet . . . there must be others.

pizza

And there are. 

Just remember, GAPS isn’t just for autistic people . . . 

It’s for people like me and others in my family – thyroid issues, arthritis, food allergies, chemical sensitivities, eczema, psoriasis, and mood swings. 

Want to win 1 month of 3 meals a day, 7 days a week?

Think of the time you will save by not planning . . .  

I thought you might . . .

I’m going to make this easy. 

Mandatory Entry:  Why do you want to win?

Extra Entries:  blog or tweet, leaving a comment and link that you did (as much as you like).

Bonus Entry:  Sign up for the Reversing Food Allergies course and give yourself 10 separate entries.

Giveaway Ends:  April 19, 2011

Please note, Cara has graciously given me a subscription to her Grain Free Meal Plans in exchange for an honest review of her product.  I tell you . . . she has done such a great job that it caused me to think, study, and change.  Thanks, Cara!

*In Larra’s defense, I think I had a genuine injury.  She wasn't torturing me with the Word of God.