Foods 
I have a Ziploc bag of Brazil nuts sitting on my kitchen windowsill next to my family's vitamins. Why do these inconspicuous nuts take such a prominent place in the kitchen? Why aren't they tucked away in the pantry with the rest of the nuts? Brazil nuts are, by far, the best source of selenium, supplying roughly 100 mcg of selenium per nut (this amount varies depending on the soil the nuts are grown in). Selenium is a mineral the human body requires in small amounts. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 55 mcg day, but many experts recommend for optimal health we consume closer to 200 mcg a day of selenium. ...Read More
Archives for 2012
We’re having TWO BABIES?!
Baby A and Baby B - 8 weeks, 6 days Early in October of 2011 I was thrilled to see a positive pregnancy test. It worked out well because the following week I had my yearly appointment with my OB-Gyn. I let the nurse practitioner know that I was pregnant. She looked at my chart and immediately asked if I'd like her to call a prescription in for Zofran right away. Though it had not begun, given my history of hyperemesis gravidarum (i.e. really awful all-day sickness brought on by pregnancy) during my first two pregnancies, we were both certain that I would once again be plagued with this challenge throughout my pregnancy. I ...Read More
Healthy Homemade Mayonnaise
I think I finally did it. I found a winner! I've been trying to make a homemade mayonnaise that tastes just like Hellmann's, or at least similar to Hellmann's. I have tried homemade mayonnaise recipes found all over the internet far and wide and my results...well, they were less than delicious. So, why not just open a jar of Hellmann's? Why bother with all of this experimentation in the kitchen? Three reasons: Hellmann's is filled with.. soybean oil, sugar, and nutrient deficient factory farmed eggs. YUCK. I don't want those nasty ingredients in my body, or my kids' bodies ...Read More
Great Bedtime Stories: The Wingfeather Saga
Enter the world of Aerwiar, a land where the hordes of Gnag the Nameless have overtaken once peaceful lands, all in search of the Lost Jewels of the Shining Isle of Anniera. It is a happy world much like our own...except for the venomous and heavily armed Fangs of Dang who rule land, and except for the forests haunted with Toothy Cows, Horned Hounds, and Gargan Rockroaches, and except for the dreaded Black Carriage that comes from beyond the River Blapp to steal your children in the middle of the night. This is the world of Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga. Recently my seven-year-old and I have been reading through ...Read More
Homeschooling Astronomy Curriculum for Homeschoolers
I wouldn't dare try to tackle the subject of astronomy without a good textbook, so I was very excited when I found Signs & Seasons. As far as curriculums go, nothing I've seen comes close to this. Two enthusiastic thumbs up to Jay Ryan for writing such an excellent resource. This year I've been teaching a Classical Astronomy class in our local homeschool co-op. I've been using both the Signs & Seasons textbook and the accompanying Field Journal. The curriculum is meant for high-school-age students, and after trying it out in a classroom setting, I'm eager to use it with my own kids when they get older. ...Read More
Creamy Purple Cabbage Recipe
Happy Friday! We're looking forward to a full weekend with friends, family, and our twinsies baptism on Sunday. I have a new recipe for you. I made this last night. It's one of our families favorite ways to eat purple cabbage! Creamy Purple Cabbage (with bacon) 1 lb bacon (reserve grease)1 head of purple cabbage8 oz cream cheese softened2 Tablespoons <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I7MVG0/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001I7MVG0&linkCode=as2&tag=intoonlife-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple ...Read More
Save Money on Laundry Soap!
Laundry: it's a vicious cycle! As soon as I think I've got it all done and under control, there's another load to do. The only thing I can get excited about regarding laundry is if it can somehow be made easier or cheaper. I haven't been able to figure out how to get it done any quicker or easier, but I have been able to make it cheaper! I've been making my own laundry soap for about three years now. I originally saw people making laundry soap on a TV program, and when I saw what went into making it I knew there was no way I was going to be standing over a stove stirring a big pot of muck. The only way I was going to ...Read More
Weight Loss and Other Benefits of Coconut Oil
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) are a type of fatty acid found abundantly in coconut oil, as well as palm kernel oil, and to a lesser extent butter (and human breast milk, but most of you don't keep that on tap). The thing that is unique about MCTs is that they are not digested and used by the body in the same way as other fatty acids. But aren't fatty acids bad? I mean, they're... fatty? MCTs are highly water soluble, so they can be absorbed through the small intestine wall where they're transported to the liver, skipping the lyphatic system, which is where most fatty acids are processed. MCTs are broken down and ...Read More
