10 Healthy Food Changes for My Family

I'm getting so overwhelmed with the whole foods/organic foods/plant-based diet information that's popping up everywhere. I wanted to start making some changes for my family, but budget is tight for our family of 6, and I'm still learning and researching. It's definitely a work in progress.

I have lots and lots of questions. For example....
-Is eating a little organic better than not organic at all?
-What kind of eggs do I buy or do we just eliminated them completely (you know, plant based diet)?
-Do we drink milk? If so, how much & what kind?
This list could go on....

Here's my list so far of little things I'm trying to do differently.
I don't know how helpful some of these are, but it's the thought that counts, right?

1- Reading more food labels, looking for natural ingredients

2- Trying to eliminate foods w/ high fructose corn syrup

3- Buying 100% whole wheat bread

4- Using other sweeteners like honey or raw sugar or stevia

5- Buying less processed food and trying to make more things from scratch (granola bars, cookies, muffins, soups...  Yes, I know we should probably eat less sweets,  but it's hard)

6-Cutting out on foods with hydrogenated soybean oil (this is hard, it seems to be everywhere!)

7-Cooking with real butter & olive oil

8- Buying organic apples (we eat a lot of them!)

9- Natural peanut butter & Jelly (okay, I like Jif Natural, but you have to start somewhere, right?)

10-Eating organic lettuce/salad

Please share your thoughts & ideas! And, please correct me if any of these are off base!


Top 10 Link-up with Many Little Blessings

Advent Calendar Activities (10, plus 15 more)

I'm always looking for new ideas for advent calendars for the kiddos. Last year I made a calendar, but I wanted to try something different this year.  As a cruised through Pinterest, I saw an idea of using paper sacks that the kids could open each day. So, that was my starting point, and I adapted it for my kiddos (ages 8, 5, & 3).  Each sack has either a treat or special activity to do. I wrote the activities on index cards and stuck them in the sacks along with the items. I tried to make it as budget friendly as possible and use whatever we already had around the house.  I plan to stick the sacks under the tree and let them take turns opening a sack each day. Well, here's my list and what I stuck in each bag. Hope it's helpful! Have Fun! (scroll down for a few quick pics)

25 Activities 

1-M&M treat (m&m's)
2-Glow stick fun (glow sticks from dollar store)
3-Make Christmas Juice (kool-aide & straws)
4-Pick a toy to give away (Walmart sack)
5-Milky Way candy (mini Milky Ways-to remember Jesus is the way...)
6-Watch a Christmas movie (DVD we already have)
7-Balloon Fun (balloons to blow up & play with)
8-Drink Hot cocoa with marshmallows (baggies of marshmallows)
9-Make coffee filter snowflakes (coffee filters)
10-Pez candy treat (Pez candy & dispensers)
11-Write a thank-you note to someone (thank-you notes)
12-Read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas'  (Santa hat for the reader)
13-Make Tree Craft (foam tree craft from dollar store)
14-Redbox movie night (popcorn & licorice)
15-Camp in the living room (mini flashlights & batteries)
16-Make Christmas cookies (cookie cutters)
17-Make Christmas cards to give away (holiday stickers)
18-Nerf Gun battle (nerf bullets)
19-Surprise in your stocking
20-Make a snowflake ornament (Popsicle sticks & puzzle pieces)
21-Family game night (deck of cards & LRC dice game)
22-Drive around and look at Christmas lights (mini light string)
23-Candy cane treat (candy canes- to remember Jesus is the Good Shepherd..)
24-Pick a gift to open early (gift bow)
25-Read the story of Jesus' birth (board book- but we'll read kids bible as well)

**Helpful tip: make sure you write down what you've put in each sack so you can be prepared for the activity or make a last minute change if needed!

What are your favorite Advent activities?

Top 10 Link-up with Many Little Blessings
Link-up with Frugal Crafty Home

If-you-like-to-talk-to-lemons.....

Lemonade (tune: Veggie Tales theme song)

If you like to talk to lemons,

If an orange can make you smile

If you like to drink lemonade

soaking in the sun a while....

-Have I got a drink for you..

Lemonade, Lemonade, Lemonade, Lemonade

Lemonade, Lemonade, Lemonade, Lemonade

There's never ever ever ever ever been a drink like lemonade

There's never ever ever ever ever been a drink like lemonade

Mix & stir, stir & mix, no cute tricks

Lemonade

Drink & sip, sip & drink, give a wink

Lemonade

There's never ever ever ever ever been a drink like lemonade

There's never ever ever ever ever been a drink like lemonade

It's time for lemonade!

Yes, we have been watching A LOT of Veggie Tales around here lately!!  And yes, it was worth the time to write this catchy tune, even if I am on the only one entertained. I'm sure I could improve upon it, but that might really be a waist of time :).  I just can't help but make up silly songs- it must be in my DNA (thanks dad).

We've had a lot of nice family moments lately snuggled up on the sofa watching these interesting, silly & clever shows- might I add, there's a good message in all of them too.

If you have never had the pleasure of watching Veggie Tales, prepare to be enlightened.... here's two links for you. Enjoy! The pleasure is all mine. If nothing else, the child sitting on your lap while you try to type with one hand will be entertained for a few minutes :)

Veggie Tales Theme Song (you tube)

Veggie Tales Home Page (games, videos, songs)

We have also been watching the Veggie Tales movie,  The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, which has some catchy tunes. You can't help but just tap your foot or bob your head when you hear the "Rock Monster" song (or maybe that's just us.....) I would hate for you to miss out, so here's a link for you! 

Rock Monster Video