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Smart Money Smart Kids – Order Now!

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Smart Money Smart Kids

by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze

Have you ever thought how you are going to teach your kids about money?

Money is one of the most important life lessons you can teach your kids. 

What a dream it would be for your kids to understand the value of a dollar at an early age, never know what it feels like to be in debt, and change your family tree!

Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze

I love Dave Ramsey. I can say that because of him we have never been in debt except for our house. We communicate well about money, because we have the same goals and are on a budget.

I would love to be able to have a guide that is easy to understand and implement for them to learn from an early age without having to make the common money mistakes most adults make. read more

The Best Recipes of March

Best Recipes of March!

The Best Recipes of March

We have had a lot of fun on Grassfed Mama so far this year. I wanted to highlight some of our top post so far from March.

1) Best Brownie in a Mug

This is always a crowd pleaser. I created this recipe when I was pregnant and dealing with gestational diabetes.  I was needing a snack that I could fix quickly during a nap and that I actually wanted to eat (crazy pregnancy taste buds). I would make this every day (and sometimes twice a day if I needed the extra energy).

When I was pregnant I would use almond butter instead of peanut flour. After I had my baby, I was introduced to peanut flour. I loved how I could make this brownie in a mug with the extra benefit of coconut oil. I get raving reviews from readers how they love it too. Hope you enjoy my Best Brownie in a Mug.  (Sugar Free and Grain Free!) read more

Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake

 

Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake

This Low Carb Broccoli Tuna Casserole Bake is a special request for my dad. He loves tuna casseroles and is really trying to eat healthier these days along with our whole family. I made a similar recipe for Thanksgiving that was just a broccoli casserole. This adds in some great protein from the tuna (or salmon) to get good Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.

I love broccoli. I love it in casseroles, in stir-fries, and as a simple side dish. Broccoli is so healthy for your too, full of vitamins and minerals. read more

How to keep Growing in Life

How to keep growing in life

How to keep growing and to have life among the growing.

Life Among the Growing…. What does that actually mean to me?

This phrase really speaks to me deeply in several ways.

First, I think about how I want to be continually growing into a better person with each day and opportunity I get. If you aren’t moving forward, you are moving backwards. If you aren’t growing, you are dying. 

This is in my personal life as a wife and mom. In my spiritual life, I want to continually study and grow in God’s words.

Secondly, I think about my little girls. I love life with them as I get to watch them grow. Time flies by so quickly and I’m blessed that I am able to stay home with them in this fleeting stage.

Thirdly, I like to think about life. What is happening in my life and around me. What am I learning these days?

What are some ways that we can continue to grow and not become stagnant? 

1) Try something new.

Visit a new town, a new restaurant, a new museum.

2) Read a book.

How many books have you read recently? I prefer nonfiction for sure, but last summer I got into some mystery novels that were fun to read as well.

3) Learn a new skill.

Always wanted to know how to fix something by yourself or understand how something works? Find out!

4) Be around others who are growing.

Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. read more

Whole Foods Valentine’s Day Round Up

Whole Foods Valentine's Day Recipe Round Up

Whole Foods Valentine’s Day Round Up

Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but you still have time to get your plans in order to make the day special for everyone. Here are some great recipes and ideas from all my friends across the web. Are you planning a special dinner? Maybe you need some tips for saving money this year? Do you want to bake something special for dessert? You will find everything you need right here for having the best Valentine’s Day yet.

I hope you enjoy this Valentine’s Day round up!

Valentine’s Date Ideas

acts of service, 5 love languages, serve your spouse, show your spouse you love them

6 Ways to Save this Valentine’s Day from Grassfed Mama

30 Ways to Serve Your Spouse Today from Grassfed Mama

Valentine’s Dinner Ideas

Whole Foods Valentine's Day Recipe Round Up

Here is a Full list of Healthy Recipes to build your own Healthy Valentine’s Day Dinner from the Granola Mommy

Spaghetti and Meatsauce from Joyful Thrifty Home

Sugar Free Spaghetti Sauce from Rohnda Sue

Valentine’s Dessert Recipes

trim healthy mama, healthy desserts, healthy valentine's day desserts, sugar free valentine's day treats

7 Trim and Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats from Grassfed Mama

Gluten Free Cake Round Up from Grassfed Mama

Raw Lime Coconut Chocolate Bliss Balls from Keeper of the Kitchen

Sweetheart Brownies from Accidentally Green

Chocolate Covered Bacon from Simple Foodie

Raw Brownie Bites from Simply Smiles

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons (Raw and Real food) from Your Thriving Family

Dessert for Two: Chocolate Lava Cakes from Joyful Thrifty Home

Sugar Free Coconut Cookies from the Holistic Mama

Sugar Free and Gluten Free Valentine’s Recipe Round up read more

Why I am a Trim Healthy Mama

 

Adapted from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stmaartenpiloot/6485367553/Why I am a Trim Healthy Mama read more

4 Space Saving Ideas

organization

Space Saving Ideas

Here are some space saving ideas that Adam and I are implementing to help organize our house this year. Along with our health New Years Resolutions, Adam and I made some organization resolutions for our home. We moved to Richmond last year, and then I immediately got pregnant (and pretty sick initially). The house just has never been as organized as we would like.

Adam started reading a book about organizing your life and house room by room. We started last week in my sewing area and play room. This week we moved into the kitchen. So far we have made some good progress and I want to show you some of our space saving ideas.

 

Our first tip is to add more storage in unused areas. 

Shelf Above the Door

above the door shelvesWe have some extra toilet paper there. The disposable diapers for Annaleigh that we use when we go on vacation (we cloth diaper when we are at home). I have a small step stool that I can use to easily reach these items, but they needed a home. You could have extra soap or towels up there too.

Behind the Closet Door

closet organization

When we moved into our house, we didn’t have a downstairs closet for our pantry or cleaning supplies. We had a coat closet, but we really needed that extra space for a pantry. Adam installed large shelves so I could use the space for my flours, coconut oils, herbal teas, snacks for Aidalyn and cleaning tools and supplies.

We added baskets on the wall and hanging shelves behind the door. All this extra storage was perfect for helping us stay organized and have a home for everything that I needed close by the kitchen.

It still needs work! We are happy to have the extra storage for food items and such instead of a coat closet though.

Behind the Cabinet Door

We bought some organization baskets that attach to the back of cabinets doors for added storage. These are perfect for under the kitchen sick or in a bathroom.

Under the Bed

We store extra blankets, wrapping items, and some books in flat plastic storage boxes that fit nicely under our guest bed. This is likely a place you may overlook for extra storage for your home. You can craft short storage boxes with wheels that will roll out and back easily.

 

I hope that these tips help you start to organize your home and reach your organization resolutions.

What are your tips for finding unused space and turning it into storage? What are your best organization tips?

Linked up to Motivational Mondays

Top 3 Healthy Chicken Nuggets Recipes

Chicken nuggets, homemade nuggets, mcdonalds, gluten free, paleo, recipe

 

3 Trim and Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipes

Chicken Nuggets are such a staple in most kid’s diets (and some adults too!). We love the taste of fried chicken in little tasty bites… But all too frequently American’s feel trapped into getting fast food Chicken Nuggets. 

We know that McDonald’s isn’t health food, but we expect to be eating only fried chicken and breading when you order their chicken nuggets. 

It can’t be too bad, right?

Natural News.com released a forensic investigation to find out what was in McDonald’s chicken nuggets. The chicken nuggets that were inspected were from a McDonald’s located in Austin. Tx.

The investigators found several items in the chicken nuggets that were not chicken or breading!

1) Dark black hair like structures

Where did these come from since chickens don’t have hair?

2)  Red Splotches

3) Spherical green object resembling algea

To see the pictures and video more closely, follow this link. 

This is just one reminder that we do not want to be eating this processed food. Chicken nuggets are far from the natural source of a chicken. 

Thankfully we don’t have to throw out the chicken nuggets with the bath water.

There is an answer.

chicken nuggets, homemade, baked, recipe

We can make our own Healthy Chicken Nuggets. Here are 3 different easy healthy recipes: 

Paleo Flaky Chicken Nuggets 

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Almond Flour Chicken Nuggets Recipe – –

These almond flour chicken nuggets would be Trim Healthy Mama approved for a satisfying S meal! 

gluten-free-chicken-nuggets-recipe

The Little Mom who Could even shares her Energizing (E meal) Oat Crusted Chicken 

So let’s leave the mystery objects at McDonald’s and enjoy our Tasty Homemade Nuggets! read more

New You New Years: Week 4 – Eat at Home

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New You New Years Week 4: Eat at Home

In the past few weeks, we have talked about:

Increasing our water

Cutting the sugar and

Including healthy fats into our diet. 

This week we are challenging you to Eat at Home. 

eat at home

To save Money

This challenge won’t only affect your health, but will also affect your wallet. 

Have I mentioned that I’m cheap?

One of the first reasons I started cooking when Adam and I got married was because we couldn’t afford to eat out. I was in school and we were both commuting an hour to work and school (in opposite directions). Talk about burning through some cash! 

By eating at home and cooking from basic ingredients, we were able to save so much money and would usually be able to eat leftovers for a bonus meal. 

Know what is in the food you are eating

Have your ever looked at the ingredient list in a chicken nugget? Sometimes it is hard to find the chicken? 

As I became more and more aware of ingredients in processed take out and boxed foods, I began to cook more and more from scratch. This process didn’t happen over night. 

This challenge is to first make the decision to cook at home.

Second, take a favorite meal that your family loves and turn it into a whole foods meal.

That way you know exactly what you are eating! 

I am pretty much a self-taught cook. I’m no fancy chef. I started with simple Rachel Ray type 30 minute meals which helped me get more and more comfortable cooking. 

I’ve learned a few tricks over the years and can throw a meal together without a recipe now. When I started cooking, I was slave to the written recipe. 20131112-141917.jpg

Recipes don’t have to limit you, they can be a jumping off board. 

Start with a meal you know and see how you can modify it to make it healthier!

Do you have a favorite meal that uses canned cream of soup? Have you looked at the ingredients? MSG is usually one of them… besides hydrogenated yuckiness.

Here is a homemade cream of something soup you can check out! 

Stacy Makes Cents shares her homemade cream of soup mix here.  read more

Why You Should Add Butter to Your Coffee

Week one we increased our water intake.

Week two we cut out sugar.

Are you feeling better already?

No more Sugar crashes or highs? We want to keep our blood sugar smooth and stable.

 

This next tip will help not only keep your sugar cravings at bay, but will also help you burn more fat, fuel your body and help you focus…

Want to know the secret??

 

Adapted from: http://glutendoctors.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-i-allow-butter-on-diary-free-diet.html

This week we are going to focus on Healthy Fats!  

 

 

Fats from animal and vegetables are so vital to our health. They are a “concentrated source of energy.” (Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon). Using fats as an energy source is also understood in Trim Healthy Mama‘s satisfying or S meals.

 

Fats slow down nutrient absorption so we feel full longer and stay satisfied. They also help keep our blood sugar stable. Fats are also important in absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D E and K). Cultures (Japanese, French and traditional populations) that eat a lot of saturated fats have less coronary heart disease than Americans who changed their diets to be low in saturated fat (Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon).

 

What Is a Healthy Fat?

Saturated fats are healthy! Healthy fats are fats that are stable when heated. These include coconut oil, butter, and ghee. Extra Virgin Olive oil is good, but it is less stable because it is monounsaturated and so shouldn’t be cooked with.

 

Eating Fat doesn’t make us fat, Carbs do!

We have been lied to over and over when we have been told to eat low fat for weight loss. It isn’t the fat that is the problem, it is the carbs that cause excess weight gain (and the mixture of the two). Trim Healthy Mama goes into more detail about this in their book, but it is the core at why you keep the two sources of energy separate and also eat low glycemic.

When you eat too many carbs, the excess energy is stored in our cells to burn up later. When we also eat fat with excess carbs, the fat is also stored for later. If we keep our food choices to one source of energy or the other then we will continue to burn and not store extra to be turned into fat.

 

What about cholesterol? 

Cholesterol is NOT the devil. It is actually necessary for your health.

Cholesterol is vital for hormone production, for cell membranes, for creating bile, for serotonin production, and maintaining a healthy digestive wall for prevention of a leaky gut.

Oils to avoid.

Any oil that has been hydrogenated or homogenized. Most of these are in the form of corn or soy. So if you start avoiding those two then it gets easier. Polyunsaturated fats should be no greater than 4% of our daily caloric intake (Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon). Polyunsaturated fats include commercial vegetable oils like corn, sunflower and safflower.

Coconut is a super food!

In an earlier post, I talked about coconut oil and how great it is for us (click here to read more about coconut oil). Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing for skin and revs up metabolism. We keep one container in our bathroom and one in the kitchen. I have used coconut oil on sunburns, dry skin and for prevention of stretch marks in pregnancy.

 

Challenge Time!

So this week, let’s make the switch to include MORE saturated fats into our diet. We most commonly use coconut oil and butter. One easy way to get in more fats is actually in your coffee! Sounds a little strange, right?

 

When you combine coffee, grassfed butter and collagen, you get AMAZING RESULTS! 

More fuel for your body and brain means a more fit, fueled, and focused you! With Grass-Fed Butter and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), you can increase your body’s ketone production to rapidly breakdown fat, boost your energy, and sharpen your focus!

  • Contains fatty acids from Grass-Fed Butter and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
  • Builds and restores vital proteins through essential amino acids and collagen peptides†
  • Boosts and sustains your energy output to burn more fat†
  • Sharpens mental focus and enhances mood†
  • Kills cravings and satisfies hunger†
  • Fuels your body and brain through increased ketone production†
  • Supports the results of your low-carb & ketogenic diet
  • read more