2 Birds: Wildtree

So I have been hunting for a suitable stay at home income option to help enable me to stay home with the kids and homeschool, while still paying down my student loans. I had avoided sales like the plague for a long time because I have a bit of an introvert personality, however I recently revisited the idea of direct sales.

Finally I decided tried out a Wildtree Freezer Meal workshop that another homeschool mom was doing, and loved it! I realized this would be a great fit for me because it helps with my journey towards eating healthier, as well as a way to run a business from home! I will have more info on my launch dates coming soon, but for now you can check out  my website: http://www.mywildtree.com/BRIANATRU/

Our New Health Journey!

Last month (April 2014) I finally turned my convictions (which had been ever increasing) about eating healthier real food into action. Thanks to some encouragement from awesome family & friends (and of course Pinterest), I now have the motivation to get it done! We've started slow, with changes that I can hopefully sustain over time. One blog that has been extremely helpful in getting me started is 100 Days of Real Food. Also the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld has been a life saver when it comes to sneaking healthier ingredients into foods my kids will actually eat. So far we've been able to accomplish a few of the following on a regular basis:

• Reduce processed sugars
• Reduce processed flours
• Increase whole foods
• Make our own bread
• Make our own yogurt
• Make our own apple sauce
• Make veggie purees to sneak into all kids of kid food

I am hoping that my next progress report will have even more changes. One hurtle that will be very challenging for us is eliminating fast food. Budget is also a big hurtle for us, so I am always on the lookout for ways to eat better for cheap! Educating myself about what is actually in food is an ongoing process, as it takes time to sort out the fads, and messages from society, the food industry, etc., from what is solid science and good advice. 

Some charts

Some of my charts I made for the upcoming year...

Abortion. Still? Why?

Of all the controversial political issues out there, I often try not to make up my mind simply by following the party line.  While I may feel one way about something, I will also try to really understand why the opposition feels so strongly.  Most issues (like same-sex marriage for example) I think there can be some kind of compromise that respects the convictions of both parties.

I feel completely differently about abortion.  For a long time I have listened to the arguments, have been unable to find any in favor of abortion that I can wrap my mind or heart around.  Why doesn't our society value or protect innocence?

This year I have been increasingly convicted on this issue.  It all started when I read this heartbreaking story that someone had shared online, describing an abortion watched via ultrasound where the baby literally squirmed to try to get away as it was being dismembered.  Clearly the was consciousness.  How can people still argue that "life" doesn't start until X weeks or birth?  By the time most women find out they are pregnant, the baby already has a heartbeat, and is developing much more rapidly than people like to admit!

Then, a few months later my sister filled me in on the highlights of the disturbing abortion doctor scandal that the media tried to ignore.  Finally today I saw this article describing a late term abortion of twin girls, and I was again shocked by the callousness that people feel.

I just don't get it.  Why is this still happening?

What about the rape argument?  There are plenty of people willing to adopt these children who had no control over the conditions of their conception.  Should a human life really receive a death sentence in order to alleviate some of the trauma of their mother?  And genetic defects?  Again, plenty of people willing to adopt those children who are different, and will face big challenges, but are no less human and precious (and often more pure-hearted) than the rest of us.

The only concession I can really wrap my mind around is the morning-after pill.  Some argue that this is tantamount to abortion, and the arguments aren't that dissimilar from those against birth control.  I do not have a finalized opinion on the morality of either, however, if there was ever a compromise to be made, this would be it.

My question is, with the morning-after pill now legally available, why is abortion even still a legal option?  Isn't it a far more safe, sanitary, and less traumatic and less morally incomprehensible than an abortion?  At the very least, why are we still allowing late term abortions, or abortions for teenagers without parental knowledge or consent?  Can't we at least take some steps back in the right direction, toward valuing the dignity of human life?  Shouldn't the right to life (which is one of the core principles our nation was created upon) trump a woman's so called "right to choose"?

My daughter at one day old, clutching her father's hand.
How can you not want to protect something so fragile & innocent?

It should. So why haven't things changed?

Military Families Should Not Be the Target of Budget Cuts

A friend of mine shared this article recently discussing more budget debates which will likely hit military families.  Yet another of many such articles lately since the sequestration fiasco began.  This kind of talk makes me so angry.

What is frustrating is that the DoD wastes so much money in other areas (for example the terrible use-it-or-lose-it budgeting practice which causes departments to spend frivolously in order to preserve the next year's budget allowance), yet every time there are budget cuts to be made, they target military personnel and their families who are already sacrificing so much!

Photo by SSgt Chad Trujillo

People are always "supporting the troops" with lip-service, but very few people really understand the toll that long term military service puts on members and their families (physically, emotionally, financially).

Perhaps these congressmen should try living the military lifestyle themselves before considering these cuts.

Curriculum Choices

So after considerable searching I have settled on TAPESTRY OF GRACE for our core curriculum.  I love how it is history based, teaches subjects in relation to each other, and easy to adjust to multiple ages! Tapestry will cover History, Composition, Literature, Geography, Fine Arts and Bible History (for upper levels it also covers Philosophy & Government). Year one covers Ancient civilizations through the fall of Rome.

Additionally we will add in Explode the Code for Phonics, Saxon Math, God's Design for Science, Teach them Spanish, Piano Adventures, and Ready-To-Use P.E. Activities for K-2.


Here is our tentative schedule for the year:

New Journey!

This summer we decided the best choice for our family was to move into base housing.  There were a multitude of benefits, but one major downside: not the greatest public schools.  Not only do I want to avoid the bullying (which is reportedly around 30% in this district), but I also know my ADHD son needs schools and teachers on their A game in order to succeed.  This also got me thinking about how tough this last military move was, and how many moves we still have ahead of us, and how each time the curriculum shift will become harder for the kids.  So we ultimately decided that homeschooling was the best option.  I was a little excited, but mostly terrified!  Over the summer I have done more and more research, been inspired by Pinterest and the many bloggers out there!  I am now feeling much more excited and confident about the upcoming year!  Our class will include a 2nd grader, and 1st grader, a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 1/2 year old.

Homemade Healthy Snack Pouches

With 4 kids (ages 1, 2, 5 & 7), convenience is key. I love the little baby food pouches because my youngest can self-feed relatively mess free and because they contain all kinds of healthy foods she needs. They are easy to grab on the go and stuff in a diaper bag. The problem is these pouches cost on average around $1.50 each which adds up fast. The rest of my kids also go through snacks like applesauce and yogurt like crazy.


So, today I decided to try saving some money and making my own pouches. I spent $42 on supplies (Infantino Squeeze Station and pouches), about $25 on food, and made 50 pouches. I have already paid for the cost of equipment, and will save much more with the next batch since I will only pay the cost of food (and occasionally will need to reorder pouches since they are not designed to be reused often).


Here are the recipes for what I made today. I was thrilled that even my picky 5 and 7 year old's approved the taste test. Portions are approximate since I didn't really measure closely along the way. These will work great for older babies (1yr+), toddlers and children. Any high speed blender or food processor will do. I used a Bella Rocket Blender.

Ingredients
1 bag (16oz) frozen peaches (boiled in hot water & strained)
1 bag (16oz) frozen carrots (boiled in hot water & strained)
1 bag (16oz) frozen spinach (boiled in hot water & strained)
1 bag (16oz) frozen strawberries (boiled in hot water & strained)
1 bag (24oz) frozen blueberries (boiled in hot water & strained)
1 jar (46oz) natural unsweetened apple sauce
1 box (8oz) whole wheat baby cereal 
1 box (8oz) mixed grain baby cereal
1 tub (32oz) vanilla yogurt
cinnamon
honey
cherry juice
grape juice


Batch #1: Peaches & Carrots
Made apx. 16 pouches total
For each 16 oz blender cup* I used about:
1/3 cup peaches

1/3 cup carrots

1/3 cup yogurt

1/4 cup cherry juice

2 tbsp whole wheat cereal

1 tps honey

*Repeated about 3 times or until fruit was used up

Batch #2: Berries & Spinach

Made apx. 22 pouches total
For each 16 oz blender cup* I used about:
1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup strawberries

1/4 cup spinach

1/3 cup yogurt

1/4 cup grape juice

2 tbsp mixed grain cereal

1 tps honey

*Repeated about 3 times or until fruit was used up

Batch #3: Apple Sauce

Made apx. 12 pouches
Sprinkled cinnamon in the apple sauce, stirred & poured directly into squeeze station. Repeated until jar was empty.

Polymath Pursuit

          In our modern culture, it seems like everyone wants to put a label on you, whether it be your profession or relationship to others. But what happens for those who are passionate about many things, or wear many hats? We are sometimes called flaky or scatter-brained. 

          What happened to the Renaissance men or the polymaths who studied many things and often provided great contributions to society (like Aristotle or DaVinci)? 

          From now on I give up my pursuit to specialize and fit in with our culture. I will embrace my inner polymath. I will study many things and try many things, and hopefully along the way I will find success in at least one area. 

Religious Freedom & Same Sex Marriage

Our founding fathers were extraordinarily brilliant to be able to craft documents and mold a nation in a way that would endure the trials of different eras. We are wise to cling to the constitution which made us strong in the first place, and to remember the wisdom of these great men. While Thomas Jefferson’s ideas on the separation of church and state have often been taken out of context in an attempt to eradicate the very mention of God where it might offend, his intentions to preserve religious freedom and prevent corruption were wise.

We are no longer a religiously homogeneous nation, and as such we need to adapt to our diversity in order to preserve the freedoms our founding fathers set up for us, particularly since our popular culture currently promotes tolerance to everyone except Christians. The first amendment needs to be reinforced.

The issue that seems to divide us most and threaten religious freedoms is same sex marriage. I believe there is a way to accommodate both of the opposing sides while preserving the freedoms and rights of all. My idea is simple, though the application may get a little tricky.

Separate the terms Sacred Marriage and Civil Partnership since they imply two very different things, then separate the jurisdiction of each.

Civil Partnerships would remain the jurisdiction of the state, and would grant applicants with all the legal and tax benefits formerly applied to marriage. All existing marriages would automatically be grandfathered in. Anyone could apply whether opposite sex or same sex, and they would not even have to be romantically involved, but willing to make a legal commitment to another person. This guarantees equal rights to same sex couples.

The jurisdiction of Sacred Marriages would be given to religious institutions to be defined, performed and protected according to their theology. Anyone previously married by an ordained minister would be given the title of Sacred Marriage, and could request a certificate of such from their minister or religious institution. Further, and this is very important: religious organizations cannot be persecuted for discriminating on the basis of sexual preference. Since it is a moral issue, it falls under the protection of the first amendment. This guarantees religious freedom.

Those who founded our nation understood the importance of protecting the rights of those with differing worldviews and religions because the bloodshed of religious wars in Europe was fresh in their memories. Today we have a nation composed of many different worldviews and religions, and we must be diligent if we want to preserve the freedoms and rights that made our nation strong in the first place.

I have many more thoughts on the issue, but wanted to keep it brief. Thank you for your time. I urge you to thoughtfully consider these things.