tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43710770940586581992024-03-09T18:46:06.008-08:00True Confessions of a Real MommyA real mom, with real feelings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-78517137399836208762014-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-17T00:00:01.876-08:00Meal Plan Monday: February 17th, 2014Ok, guys. This is the big one. This is one of my most coveted recipes in my family. My meatloaf. Are you excited? It is tasty, less greasy than you might think, and I've even been known to get creative with the look.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602861_10202315641431720_233145590_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/602861_10202315641431720_233145590_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://chicfluff.org/2013/03/09/slow-cooker-cabbage-rolls-def-want-to-try-this/">Cabbage Rolls</a><br />
<br />
Pad Thai<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.allysonkramer.com/2012/10/pumpkin-quinoa-white-bean-chili/">Pumpkin Quinoa White Bean Chili</a><br />
<br />
Potato Broccoli Cheddar Soup<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thesmartcookiecook.com/2012/07/09/mexican-sweet-potato-bean-skillet-w-white-cheddar-queso/">Sweet Potato and Black Bean Skillet</a><br />
<br />
Sloppy Lennys<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Meatloaf</span> and Mashed Potatoes<br />
<br />
1lb ground beef<br />
1lb ground pork or sausage<br />
2 cups gf bread crumbs (I like to freeze bread heels, then give a spin in the food processor) OR 1 cup gf rolled oats<br />
1 egg<br />
1 tbsp dried oregano<br />
1 tsp rosemary<br />
1/4 cup mustard<br />
1/4 cup ketchup<br />
1lb bacon (you may not need it all, but you might WANT it all.)<br />
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Add all ingredients, except the bacon, to a large mixing bowl. Gently combine, by hand (use gloves if you feel squeamish) until JUST mixed. Gently form in to desired size loaf/loaves and place on a broiler pan, or a cookie sheet with wire racks. Gently wrap bacon around loaf. Bake at 350 until meat thermometer in the middle registers 165 (Will vary based on loaf size.)<br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-71529896737786872662014-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-12T19:37:01.427-08:00Meal Plan Monday: February 10th, 2014<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/312770/gemelli-yellow-squash-peas-and-basil">Squash One Pot Meal</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEqkAMU-rUJpHe5Jw77iYRslwJ7OvVEAb6zZWYDDJrUIDD1ROVkzVY-KLI2F3LFZl1YfQgRfpuKEf5poVbG0muEk9YMa-ohP17aaM6-ewAYxGPPRs-XootJ5MDQk8fzizFgYEa4JtaItr/s1600/soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEqkAMU-rUJpHe5Jw77iYRslwJ7OvVEAb6zZWYDDJrUIDD1ROVkzVY-KLI2F3LFZl1YfQgRfpuKEf5poVbG0muEk9YMa-ohP17aaM6-ewAYxGPPRs-XootJ5MDQk8fzizFgYEa4JtaItr/s1600/soup.jpg" /></a></div>
Cobb Salad</div>
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/01/meal-plan-monday-january-30th-2012.html">Schnitzel</a> and Potato Salad</div>
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Pizza</div>
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/06/meal-plan.html">Enchilada Casserole</a></div>
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Spaghetti </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Black Bean Soup</span></div>
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2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)</div>
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6 garlic cloves, pressed</div>
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1 qt chicken broth</div>
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1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (canned, jarred, fresh, whatever you have)<br />
1/2lb frozen corn </div>
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1 tablespoon chili powder</div>
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2 qt (or about 4 cans, 14.5 oz) black beans, drained but not rinsed</div>
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salt and pepper</div>
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juice of 1/2 lime</div>
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1 bunch cilantro<br />
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In a heavy pot, heat a little oil, add the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, corn and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. If you like a smoother soup, use an immersion blender or puree half the soup in a blender and return to burner. Season with salt and pepper.</div>
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Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. Cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.</div>
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-51186397866535249412014-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-03T00:00:01.246-08:00Meal Plan Monday: February 3rd, 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.simplecomfortfood.com/2013/07/17/pizza-tots/">Pizza Tots</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/chicken-in-coconut-milk-81026">Coconut Chicken</a><br />
<br />
Black Bean Tacos<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/06/return-of-meal-plan-monday-june-3rd-2013.html">Chicken Broccoli Casserole</a><br />
<br />
Chicken Noodle Soup<br />
<br />
Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Potato Kale Soup</span><br />
<br />
1 lb sausage<br />
4 large potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23792318@N00/380282370/in/photolist-zB3GA-B4ePe-GFGYm-2AVFLK-5qNSyX-5qTcQu-6muXwY-6pJimb-75ei2W-7ay3oL-7aVcMV-98DLx7-98DHpC-98AwUP-98DKTC-98AD5R-bUfSnz-du2eEk-98Ay9p-dAM8Pz-dASAaY-8qrwQS-dwyt7Z-9VDvHz-92MNVX-9dbvC4-cFp7y1-8dHqri-gEgm6r-gEfQca-gEfGk9-dK49Cx-dK49J8-dK49ji-dK49Vi-dK49cv-dK9Bzd-dK9BX7-8gJw79-auJUKm-8gFeCc-ayAEKm" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg4z7WP0Iytvr54Ha4c92wFkxsxK0wnyrvt0_5X4jOoVRaYvKlhsDS8x2yQUb0qRa9BKIy7JAdcClLvcoA3IVvl4vyKK2IC0bd8KeqK7PcUe65jzz91bHQK3Qo1u3fbKgBbyvG6Dr_2x5/s320/soup.jpg" width="320" /></a>1 large onion, chopped<br />
1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)<br />
2 garlic cloves, minced<br />
2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard, chopped<br />
1 quart broth<br />
1 quart water<br />
1 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
<br />
Brown sausage in your soup pot. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.<br />
Add bacon, then salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add kale and cream.<br />
Heat through and serve.<br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-4885271473645763432014-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-27T00:00:10.641-08:00Meal Plan Monday: January 27th, 2014You might have noticed that I have only been listing 6 dinners some weeks. I've realized that I often make more than enough (while still keeping a very respectable budget, if I may say so!) for lunches and a leftover night. I hope you are enjoying the bounty that is leftovers as as close to a night off as we get most weeks! Speaking of taking time off, sorry for no new recipes this week. Maybe next time!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegetarian-sweet-and-sour-meatballs/detail.aspx"><br /></a>
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegetarian-sweet-and-sour-meatballs/detail.aspx">Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Meatballs</a><br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/meal-plan-monday-october-31st-2011.html">Butternut Squash Mac n' Cheese</a><br />
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Stir Fry<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/10/meal-plan-monday-october-15th-2012.html">Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup</a><br />
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Chicken Fajitas<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/meal-plan-monday-june-11th-2012.html">Quinoa O's and Grilled Cheese</a><br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-83522274728267580512014-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-20T00:00:06.701-08:00Meal Plan Monday: January 20, 2014I wasn't feeling very food inspired this week, so luckily my husband has a new recipe to share.<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/meal-plan-monday-march-19th-2012.html">Swedish Meatballs</a><br />
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Pizza<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/10/spice-up-that-pumpkin.html">Thai Pumpkin Soup</a><br />
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Roast Chicken<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/yay-for-fall-and-all-things-crock-pot.html">Tortilla Soup</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">White Chili</span><br />
<br />
4 cups cooked white beans<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65428595@N00/7886918552/in/photolist-d1Ww7m-d1WvvC-d1WvdC-d1WvHS-d1WvmJ-d1WvDq-d1WvzE-d1WvT1-d1WvQb-d1Ww3m-d1Wwn9-d1Wweo-d1WwqG-d1Wwuy-d1Wvhy-d1Wvr1-d1Wv1y-d1Wv5L-d1Wwa3-d1WvLN-d1Wwif-d1WwDo-d1WwAo-d1WuX1-d1WuRS-8rut4T-9ewEA3-8M14bY-98nG98-8G7nJF-e2ge1u-8Axhpr-fPKv55-7xJugf-98WzwV-8nXLTE-bmQmD3-8RA8fZ-8RDf49-8RDfmG-aAF1nV-8RDeCJ-aAF29v-8EvK8w-7HuuCG-8GG4qW-97SQSF-8rwyvC-9kqm4T-9bDhz4-9bGm3L" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVgeIBZMr2r9kA5x9BBbWp-oReFdP0jsfoJaLJgqZCtiKO86feTPBctWi4QhdJ6futexkgcAp1bLvh-mPid__e9GNHu4Gbmm5dtETLh_VMa37XaVHmn_8i4Z4fQ72hoxn6NFCcbdhSfdo/s320/beans.jpg" width="320" /></a>2qts veggie broth<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1 cup gluten free flour<br />
1 onion, diced<br />
1 green pepper, diced<br />
2 tbsp chili powder<br />
1 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
1 tbsp salt<br />
1 tbsp dried parsley<br />
1 tbsp cumin<br />
1 tsp pepper<br />
2 garlic cloves, minced<br />
1 bunch cilantro<br />
2 cups tomato sauce<br />
2 tbsp red wine vinegar<br />
<br />
Combine the broth and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Add the herbs and spices. While waiting for the broth to come to a boil make a roux with the butter and flour, cook for a few minutes to get ride of starchy taste. While still hot, add roux carefully to the broth (be sure to stir to avoid lumps). Add onions, peppers and cilantro to soup and let simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken. Once thickened add the cooked beans and red wine vinegar to the pot. Serve hot with a little cilantro for garnish.<br />
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-71610181460817230512014-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-16T10:59:14.151-08:00A Love You Can Depend On<!-- START TOP CODE --><br />
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<p><strong>Welcome to the January 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: The More Things Stay the Same</strong></p><br />
<p><em>This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2014/01/making-family-bedroom.html" target="_blank">Hobo Mama</a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2014/01/14/sneaking-in-snuggles-nurturing-touch-older-children" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>. This month our participants have talked about the continuity and constancy in their lives. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.</em></p><br />
<p>***</p><br />
<!-- END TOP CODE --><div style="text-align: center;">"You can't love someone for what they look like, something they do, or who they are. Because all of those things can change, at any time. If you love someone, love them. That's it. Just them, for them, and nothing else."</div><br />
One of the best pieces of life wisdom I was ever told, and I can't even remember who it was that said it. When I started to write this post, I was going to write about the constant that is the love I have and receive from my husband. As the words came flowing out, I realized that that idea of unconditional love was also everything I have for my children.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhZ5fP04LP9Q6KDqBQttcAdTtwUCppGC7rTZ2RJr3K2EGDXgBqiKptchfAXF9GlD8V_ECilfCY3sSuQckiClcW9k03Dw_LmL3fPHmb7t41I6SAXuEdsztOIoGCOjU7hcjAuWgx25RBFBL/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/374268661/" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhZ5fP04LP9Q6KDqBQttcAdTtwUCppGC7rTZ2RJr3K2EGDXgBqiKptchfAXF9GlD8V_ECilfCY3sSuQckiClcW9k03Dw_LmL3fPHmb7t41I6SAXuEdsztOIoGCOjU7hcjAuWgx25RBFBL/s1600/heart.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a>We can't love them for their sweet breath,<br />
eventually they will forget to brush their teeth.<br />
But, it can make our hearts glow to see their happiness and smiles.<br />
We can't love them for their tiny toes,<br />
for eventually we will quietly (or not so quietly) lament how fast they outgrow their shoes.<br />
The love you show them helps them grow.<br />
Their sweet "Mommy/Daddy" won't always be a gleeful exclamation,<br />
But, we can always be ready to show them we are glad for their attention.<br />
One day the world's troubles won't be solved with some nursies and snuggles,<br />
That doesn't mean we won't offer a warm drink and a hug.<br />
We can't forget our love for them when they refuse to bring a coat.<br />
Or even when they say they don't love us.<br />
We can love and love and love, because it is not their actions, faces, or who they are that we love.<br />
We just love them.<br />
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And, because "in my van, it is all Rush, all the time!" I can't finish this post without sharing that this is what was stuck in my head every time someone mentioned this carnival topic. (And if you know the origin of that quote, we should really be friends.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BUzj94SHNqk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><!-- START BOTTOM STRAIGHT LIST CODE -->
<p>***</p><p><a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank" title="Carnival of Natural Parenting"><img align="right" alt="Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama" border="0" class="alignright" src="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/lintpicker/CNPnaturalparent.jpg" /></a>Visit <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank"><strong>Hobo Mama</strong></a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/carnival-of-natural-parenting/" target="_blank"><strong>Code Name: Mama</strong></a> to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!</p><p>Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:</p><div style="clear: both;"></div><ul><li><strong><a href="http://friendly-encounters.blogspot.com/2014/01/always-artist.html" target="_blank">Always an Artist</a></strong> — Some kids take longer than others to come into themselves, so you have to stick with them, as a parent, long after everyone else has given up, writes Douglas at <strong>Friendly Encounters</strong>.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://allnaturalkatie.blogspot.com/2014/01/not-losing-yourself-as-first-time-mom.html" target="_blank">Not Losing Yourself as a First Time Mom</a></strong> — Katie at <strong>All Natural Katie</strong> continues to stay true to herself after becoming a new mom.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.meegs1982.com/2014/01/using-continuity-to-help-change.html" target="_blank"> Using Continuity to Help Change {Carnival of Natural Parenting}</a></strong> — Meegs from <strong>A New Day</strong> talks about how she is using continuity in certain areas of her life to help promote change and growth in others.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://mothergoutte.blogspot.com/2014/01/staying-same-security.html" target="_blank">Staying the Same : Security</a></strong> — Life changes all the time with growing children but <strong>Mother Goutte</strong> realised that there are other ways to 'stay the same' and feel secure, maybe a bit too much so!</li> <li><strong><a href="http://traditionalbaby.blogspot.com/2014/01/harmony-is-what-im-after.html" target="_blank">Harmony is What I'm After</a></strong> — <strong>Tribal Mama</strong> gushes about how constant change is really staying the same and staying the same brings powerful change.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2014/01/a-primal-need-for-order-and-predictability-and-how- i-let-that-go.html" target="_blank">A Primal Need For Order and Predictability – And How I Let That Go</a></strong> — Jennifer at <strong>Hybrid Rasta Mama</strong> shares how she overcame her primal need for order and predictability once her awareness shifted, opening her eyes to the impact this had on her young daughter. Take a short journey with Jennifer and she bares her soul, exposes her weaknesses and celebrates her new outlook and approach to living life, even in the face of total chaos. </li> <li><strong><a href="http://lovelivegrow.com/2014/01/breastfeeding-before-after/" target="_blank">Breastfeeding Before and After</a></strong> — Breastfeeding has come and gone, but Issa Waters at <strong>LoveLiveGrow</strong> finds that her relationship with her son is still just the same and just as good.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.thatmamagretchen.com/2014/01/a-real-job.html" target="_blank">A Real Job</a></strong> — Back in high school <strong>That Mama Gretchen</strong> had a simple, but worthwhile career aspiration and today she is living her dream … is it what you think?</li> <li><strong><a href="http://sustainable-mum.blogspot.com/2014/01/comforting.html" target="_blank">Comforting</a></strong> — <strong>sustainablemum</strong> never thought she would want things always being the same, but she explains why it is exactly what her family wants and needs.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://marijasmits.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/the-other-mums-and-the-great-illusion/" target="_blank">'The Other Mums' and The Great Illusion</a></strong> — <strong>Marija Smits</strong> reflects on the 'great big magic show of life' and wonders if it will continue to remain a constant in our lives.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.winegumsandwatermelons.com/2014/01/unschooling-learning-doesnt-change-when.html" target="_blank">Unschooling: Learning doesn't change when a child turns four</a></strong> — Charlotte at <strong>Winegums & Watermelons</strong> talks about the pressure of home education when everyone else's children are starting school.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.amywilla.com/2014/01/finding-priorities-in-changing-environments" target="_blank">Finding Priorities in Changing Environments</a></strong> — Moving from Maine to a rural Alaskan island for her husband's military service, Amy at <strong>Me, Mothering, and Making it All Work</strong> found that keeping consistent with her priorities in changing environments can take some work, but is vital to continuous health and happiness. </li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/keeping-it-normal/" target="_blank">Keeping it "Normal"</a></strong> — Kellie at <strong>Our Mindful Life</strong> has moved several times in the last two years, while doing her best to keep things stable for her kids.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/the-evolution-of-our-homeschool-journey" target="_blank">The Evolution Of Our Homeschool Journey</a></strong> — Angela at <strong>Earth Mama's World</strong> reflects on her homeschooling journey. Homeschooling is a constant in the life of her family but the way in which they learn has been an evolution. </li> <li><strong><a href="http://codenamemama.com/2014/01/14/sneaking-in-snuggles-nurturing-touch-older-children" target="_blank">Sneaking in Snuggles: Using Nurturing Touch with Older Children</a></strong> — When Dionna at <strong>Code Name: Mama's</strong> son was a toddler and preschooler, he was the most loving, affectionate kiddo ever. But during the course of his 5th year, he drastically reduced how often he showed affection. Dionna shares how she is mindfully nurturing moments of affection with her son.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://touchstonez.com/2014/01/14/steady-state/" target="_blank">Steady State</a></strong> — Zoie at <strong>TouchstoneZ</strong> writes a letter to her partner about his constancy through the rough sailing of parenting.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-love-you-can-depend-on.html" target="_blank">A Love You Can Depend On</a></strong> — Over at <strong>True Confessions of a Real Mommy</strong>, Jennifer has a sweet little poem reminding us where unconditional love really lies, so it can remain a constant for us and our children.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2014/01/same-s-different-day.html" target="_blank">Same S#!*, Different Day</a></strong> — Struggling against the medical current can certainly get exhausting, especially as the hunt for answers drags on like it has for Jorje of <strong>Momma Jorje</strong>.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://littlegreengiraffe.tumblr.com/post/73295482997/newyear-stillme" target="_blank">New Year, Still Me</a></strong> — Mommy Bee at <strong>Little Green Giraffe</strong> writes about how a year of change helped her rediscover something inside herself that had been the same all along.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-little-word-for-2014.html" target="_blank">One Little Word for 2014</a></strong> — Christy at <strong>Eco Journey In The Burbs</strong> has decided to focus on making things this year, which is what she is loves, as long as she doesn't kill herself in the process.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/2014/01/14/the-beauty-of-using-montessori-principles-of-fre edom-and-consistency/" target="_blank">The Beauty of Using Montessori Principles of Freedom and Consistency</a></strong> — Deb Chitwood at <strong>Living Montessori Now</strong> shares the continuity of her teaching, parenting, and grandparenting philosophy using a combination of freedom and consistency.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://crunchyconservativemommy.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-husband-mini.html" target="_blank">My Husband's Mini</a></strong> — <strong>Crunchy Con Mom</strong> shares which of her sons looks more like her husband's baby pictures — and the answer might surprise you!</li> <li><strong><a href="http://mamablog.teach-through-love.com/2014/01/growth-happens-when-you-arent-looking.html" target="_blank">Growth Happens When You Aren't Looking</a></strong> — Lori at <strong>TEACH through Love</strong> is treasuring these fleeting moments of her daughter's early adolescence by embracing the NOW.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/2014/01/14/a-new-reality-now-poem/" target="_blank">A New Reality Now - Poem</a></strong> — As Luschka from <strong>Diary of a First Child</strong> struggles to come to terms with the loss of her mother, she shares a simple poem, at a loss for more words to say. </li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2014/01/making-family-bedroom.html" target="_blank">Making a family bedroom</a></strong> — Lauren at <strong>Hobo Mama</strong> has decided to be intentional about her family's default cosleeping arrangements and find a way to keep everyone comfortable.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://pandamoly.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-year-same-constants.html" target="_blank">New Year, Same Constants</a></strong> — Ana at <strong>Panda & Ananaso</strong> takes a look at some of the things that will stay the same this year as a myriad of other changes come.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/breastfeeding-and-society/" target="_blank">I Support You: Breastfeeding and Society</a></strong> — Despite how many strides we've taken to promote "breast is best," Amy at <strong>Natural Parents Network</strong> talks about how far we still have to go to normalize breastfeeding in our society.</li>
</ul><!-- END BOTTOM STRAIGHT LIST CODE -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-32546356441535521392014-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-13T00:00:01.322-08:00Meal Plan Monday: January 13th, 2014French Toast (Especially tasty with GF cinnamon raisin bread!)<br />
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Pot Roast<br />
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Minestrone Soup (I made a big batch from this post for freezing <a href="http://whatvegankidseat.blogspot.com/2013/01/vegan-crock-pot-freezer-meals.html">vegan crockpot meals</a>!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.ithoughtiknewmama.com/2012/01/lentils-pasta/">Lentil Helper</a><br />
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Black Bean Quesadillas<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/06/return-of-meal-plan-monday-june-3rd-2013.html">Broccoli Chicken Casserole</a><br />
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Sloppy Lennys<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-33082870374323043682014-01-09T22:35:00.000-08:002014-01-10T10:10:15.105-08:00Keeping Your Cool, When You Aren't <h4>
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Anger Management The Geek Parent Way</h4>
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Of course, we will start out with wise words from Yoda:<br />
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<b>“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999))</span></div>
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Now, it is not likely that the anger that flares up while dealing with your children is THAT strong, and we love our children. But, there is an important idea there. WHY are we angry about our children's behavior? There is a good case to be made that it is fear that triggers that anger. Fear you are not a good parent. Of your child never learning important lessons about acceptable behavior. Maybe even a fear your child is controlling you. Whatever it is, trying to find the base of the emotion, the trigger, will give you a jumping off point for changing your fate.</div>
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What do we do in the mean time? We have rolled the dice, our children are here, our destiny is now, and once again you are being ignored and you.are.pissed at your child. It may not always work to stop and consider our darker demons when the red dragon is rising to the surface and we can feel the fire of our voice rising in our throats.</div>
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How does Bruce Banner keep the Other Guy under wraps? Yoga? Meditation? No. </div>
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<b>"That's my secret, Cap: I'm always angry." </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(The Avengers (2012))</span></div>
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I'm not suggesting your keep a running thread of anger just under the surface. What I do say is: accept your anger. You are ANGRY! You have every right to feel the way you do. Your feelings are valid. Feel them. Feel, but don't let them control you. Don't let the monster take over.</div>
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Often, we get stuck in this rut of just feeling angry and put out by our children's needs and demands all the time. It does become that running thread of emotion just under the surface, looking for a chink in our armor.</div>
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<b>Harry Potter: "I just feel so angry, all the time. What if after everything that I've been through, something's gone wrong inside me? What if I'm becoming bad?<br />Sirius Black: "I want you to listen to me very carefully, Harry. You're not a bad person. You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to. Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004))</span><br />
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We are human, and therefor aren't perfect. Most of us will fail to uphold our values of gentle parenting at some point. When that happens, we have a decision to make. Allow the darkness to take over, or strive on for the light. Apologize to your child. Make it clear they do not deserve that kind of treatment, no matter their behavior, because you love them and want to be the kind of parent they deserve (that Harry never even had a chance to have.) You are your choice to be a respectful parent.</div>
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How do we break these habits? For all our research, reading, support groups, and maybe even a desperate drive to be better than we are at being gentle parents, we still struggle in the moment. What to do when it just seems impossible to make it through the day without scolding or yelling? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjXfUId7dkGSqYJjUmJTD45JqDU-5lSNNoYeQwdzWU1cRnRuJE0UnaHWucFBqbKHI_F0MAgy9TQxRrQyUs9TDxeoH7WW7lQZD29qhUf-Z6VUoAC2OyHjq-f3IhdP0fpzHibOQvwaH1dvWci5JOUVTjWPLn78bRg95bKgQjRa5DSOOnr5smhYSIzQHGfdt5S=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://stomptokyo.com/scott/nerds/img/02_The_Beast_Below_3-20100710-172504.jpg" height="111" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><b>"What if you were really old, and really kind and lonely, your whole race dead. What couldn't you do then? </b><a href="http://stomptokyo.com/scott/nerds/img/02_The_Beast_Below_3-20100710-172504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b></b></a><b>If you were that old, and that kind, and the very last of your kind, you couldn't just stand there and watch children cry." </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Amy Pond; Doctor Who; The Beast Below)</span></div>
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And in case you need any more ideas on how to keep your cool, here is a great "education film" I came across.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Legal bit, covering my butt. Affiliate links: they don't actually pay out much for me, but they are here, don't cost you extra, and hey, I get a piece instead of the company getting it all.</i></span><br />
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Homeschooling is not an easy gig. Ok, it may be easier to not be on someone else's clock to get kids up, dressed, fed, and to school. But, to keep things interesting, functioning, and care for the needs of everyone in the family at the same time all day every day is no cake walk. There are a few things that I just could not do without at this point in our journey.<br />
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The Library</h4>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncKsthKGSAs/TzvobSV2vrI/AAAAAAAAGgU/DNsXOd4jwLs/s1600/Photo2056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncKsthKGSAs/TzvobSV2vrI/AAAAAAAAGgU/DNsXOd4jwLs/s1600/Photo2056.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>I don't even mean story times (because we don't do those, but I know plenty of families that enjoy it) but just the mass of information right there for us to gobble up. For the free printing we get every week. Librarians who work hard to fill our request lists so books are ready on the hold shelf when we don't have a lot of time, and ones who listen intently to my child ask about their current interests and lead them to more resources for expanding their knowledge. And I have hardly delved in to their website, media centers, and other programs they have available!<br />
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Homeschool Community</h4>
It can be in real life or online. Or both. Having other people to bounce ideas off of, gather new ideas, meet up for group activities, and generally share the praises and pitfalls of the homeschool life. By creating social circles beyond my geographic limitations, I have come across SO MANY new ideas that NEVER would have even crossed my mind. Just don't forget that even thought we might all homeschool, that can look VERY different for each family, and we don't need to compete with each other over styles.<br />
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Pinterest</h4>
Seems silly. I almost didn't admit to it here. But, it has been great to see what other families have found, organize links for later use (that I can access on any computer!), and sort by which child or topic. This is mostly because I (as previously mentioned) frequently use the library computers to print activity sheets and such. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/drumminor83/">Find me!</a><br />
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Kids</h4>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ee1srNT3vg/UQg66r1G0OI/AAAAAAAAJGw/OOnoyW6gZo4/s1600/FB_IMG_13594873520757801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ee1srNT3vg/UQg66r1G0OI/AAAAAAAAJGw/OOnoyW6gZo4/s1600/FB_IMG_13594873520757801.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Duh, right? Hear me out. I could plan everything out, schedule lesson plans, organize each day from sun up to dinner and keep track of all of the in between. That may work for other families (no judgement). But what we have found in our house: our children learn in leaps and bounds when we just leave them alone. Support their interests, create space for their projects. Because they create them all on their own when given supplies, time, and our belief that what they do is important work, even it it looks like a giant mess. Being that the main we reason we choose to homeschool is to offer them individualized education, it would be a little silly to just follow an arbitrary curriculum at home.<br />
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</h4>
<h4>
Books</h4>
Of course you need books. What I mean are a few particular books that really helped me take a look at what our goals were/are and as general guides on our path. This isn't to say that we follow these books to a T or even vaguely. They did have an impact on the directions we take and I am just sharing to give you the chance to see as well.<br />
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What kind of things do you depend on to make your child's education the best it can be? Even if that isn't homeschool, I would love to hear!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-85227699827352398792014-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-06T00:00:08.673-08:00Meal Plan Monday: January 6th, 2014Happy New Year! I have not made any new resolutions, but if you have decided to take on Meal Planning, especially looking for gluten free ideas, I am here for you! I am going to start posting my plans again, and feel free to click the link to visit the archives! I would especially suggest watching the dates, as we try to eat seasonally. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88955553@N00/5732694460/in/photolist-9JzykE" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCjz9yKPDFoyYB0og16fde1bXwjhmm5r_BGjZgx_rHdefFh3O2W-Q8w2UEAxj_4lWl4SFeVsM-3ws5bvzYDJ-tU0NozQ4uGc6Khyphenhyphend_cW0H97OX6ect3koDSSNK1s1H9DkSxLP7gxfV-Be/s1600/palekpaneer.jpg" title="Palek Paneer" /></a>Beef Stew</div>
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/01/meal-plan-monday-january-23rd-2012.html">Chili</a> Tots</div>
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/02/meal-plan-monday-february-27th-2012.html">Loaded Baked Potato Soup</a></div>
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Cauliflower Mac n' Cheese w/ Kielbasa<br />
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<a href="http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/myrecipes/orange-and-basil-tofu-with-fennel/">Orange Basil Tofu w/ Fennel</a><br />
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Palek Paneer (Our homemade <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/09/meal-plan-monday-september-17th-2012.html">paneer cheese</a> recipe)<br />
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<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-43133864994066773962013-12-17T04:00:00.000-08:002013-12-17T04:00:05.385-08:00Keeping Gift Simple<start code="" top=""><br />
Welcome to the December edition of the <strong>Simply Living Blog Carnival</strong> - <strong>Gift Giving </strong>cohosted by Mandy at <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/">Living Peacefully with Children</a> and Laura at <a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/">Authentic Parenting</a>. This month, we write about what taking sthe stress out of gift giving.<br />
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<end code="" top="">I almost laughed when I read this month's theme. Because my gift giving is fairly simple, purely for the fact that we can't afford to go overboard. Because I most certainly would. I love Christmas shopping and gift giving. Even so, our Christmas morning never seems lacking, so I think we are doing just fine!<br />
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With my children, they always get the same ratio of items. Pajamas, something made, and they share some movies and/or video games, and one bigger gift: either a medium for each or a really big one to share. This way I can qualify each purchase I make and know exactly when my list is done. Extended family and friends get a gift if I find something that strikes me as just right for them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6zFbB2xsjsm-MK3Wpf6GgAho88AsBzPLlNbKTTZF30ZAUrcE2DfAXAH-qS7kh7cuuaYdwkdJZ6GhuEvg-04K1p0hsRLRucYga4DZdYs88VhyphenhyphenwNxBiuZd0Bx5nikamyjrVFw02GeyXhdI/s1600/gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6zFbB2xsjsm-MK3Wpf6GgAho88AsBzPLlNbKTTZF30ZAUrcE2DfAXAH-qS7kh7cuuaYdwkdJZ6GhuEvg-04K1p0hsRLRucYga4DZdYs88VhyphenhyphenwNxBiuZd0Bx5nikamyjrVFw02GeyXhdI/s320/gift.jpg" width="320" /></a>Other than that, these are my rules.<br />
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Make Your Gifts<br />
It doesn't have to be anything major. A batch of soap or bath crystals. Rice socks. One year I added a few embellishments to plain sweaters and they became a year of favorite clothing. I scour sales and usually end up at the fabric store Black Friday sales for what I need for the cheapest.<br />
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Buy Responsibly<br />
When I can't make my own, for skill or time, I find someone who can. I buy from crafty friends and small businesses.<br />
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<end code="" top="">Start Early<br />
We keep an eye out for gifts from about September on. Particularly at the end of the season for Farmer's Markets and the artisans there. I can usually knock out quite a few unique gifts this way!<br />
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Don't Worry About Quotas!<br />
Can't think of anything to finish your gift count? Don't panic. What can you do for or with the person? Is there a museum they would enjoy? Spa? Babysitting? Maybe it is just a movie night at home. The love is in the thought, not in the thing.<start bottom="" code=""><br />
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<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/simply-living-e13509602%2079232.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="150" src="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/simply-living-e13509602 79232.jpg" style="border: 0px;" title="Simple Living Blog Carnival" width="150" /></a></div>
Thank you for visiting the <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/blog-carnivals/simply-living-blog-carnival/">Simply Living Blog Carnival</a> cohosted by Mandy at <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/">Living Peacefully with Children</a> and Laura at <a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/">Authentic Parenting</a>. Read about how others are simplifying gift giving. Check back to see what we have in store for 2014!<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/12/keeping-gift-simple.html"><strong>Keeping Gifts Simple</strong></a> - JW at <strong>True Confessions of a Real Mommy</strong> shares a few simple ways to limit gift giving and keep your holiday about the thought over the thing..</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://touchstonez.com/2013/12/17/the-mindful-holiday-giving-guide/">The Mindful Holiday Giving Guide</a></strong> - How many times have you carefully chosen a present for someone and find you missed the mark? Zoie at<strong> TouchstoneZ</strong> identifies key ways to give mindful holiday gifts that will be truly appreciated.</li>
<li><a href="http://wp.me/p2L387-1Kt"><strong>Giving Gifts that Keep Giving</strong></a> - At Living Peacefully with Children, Mandy shares ideas to help gift givers think outside the (<em>gift</em>) box with gifts that keep on giving.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://littlegreengiraffe.weebly.com/1/post/2013/12/greening-the-giving-spirit.html">Greening the Giving Spirit </a></strong>- Momma Giraffe at <strong>Little Green Giraffe</strong> writes more eco-friendly Christmas wish-list for her family this year - passing on plastic and gift wrap and saying yes to memories, moments and experience.</li>
<li><a href="http://myblessingshomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/12/no-toys-giving-our-children-gifts-that.h%20tml"><strong>No Toys? : Giving Our Children Gifts that Make Memories</strong></a> - This year, Jacquie at <strong>My Blessings Homeschool</strong> and her husband decided to do things a little differently with gifts that will make lasting memories instead of the toys that will be lost, broken or forgotten.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/2013/12/quick-easy-diy-gift-flower-petal-sugar.html"><strong>Quick and Easy DIY Gift: Flower Petal Sugar</strong></a> - At <strong>Authentic Parenting</strong>, Laura whips up a quick and easy last minute gift.</li>
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Do you have traditions or methods revolving around simplifying gifts? Do you have a great tutorial on how to make something? We want to hear about it! Just link up your new and old posts before January 16, 2014.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-61230530053179077612013-11-29T20:53:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:41:44.008-08:00'Twas the Day After Thanksgiving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh9xUUdSk53g8zS-v9IxTteMgyOYbj6CVREN1465c1ENHiJeodWabXWGYvDgJQbqXF8OIVxqKEGCBSOhXRRNDuo7Znhwq0w-nUx5YUI9HGw_TPmF6zoCSBEuR33-kiflPMhy5RopTfWCP/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh9xUUdSk53g8zS-v9IxTteMgyOYbj6CVREN1465c1ENHiJeodWabXWGYvDgJQbqXF8OIVxqKEGCBSOhXRRNDuo7Znhwq0w-nUx5YUI9HGw_TPmF6zoCSBEuR33-kiflPMhy5RopTfWCP/s200/turkey.jpg" width="200" /></a>The turkey was perfect. The potatoes divine.<br />
The pies were almost too tasty for people to believe they were mine.<br />
Then we settled ourselves down for an after dinner nap,<br />
to plan and draw out our Black Friday map.<br />
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Our needs are not many, our wants may seem quaint.<br />
But our bank account isn't amazing, it just ain't.<br />
Even still, we enjoy the gift giving season,<br />
And it is unfair to say that greed and consumerism is always the reason.<br />
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With an uncle to stay with my children, left to sleep where they are<br />
My husband, sister, brother and friend piled into the car.<br />
First stop was for eggnog latte, the first seasonal delight<br />
Even though the sky was still dark as night.<br />
<br />
At the first shop on the list, there isn't really a line,<br />
We've chatted and sang carols, it was really just fine.<br />
There was less of a frenzy to "go nuts,"<br />
With most pausing for juice and doughnuts.<br />
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There were a few bumps and "Excuse me's,"<br />
But we were adults, and could manage with "please,"<br />
No need for shoving, in fact many lent a hand,<br />
When only the highest shelf contained any more Candyland.<br />
<br />
And so it went, until the dawn broke<br />
Hundreds of people, not an ill word was spoke.<br />
For one day it felt like we could could have it all,<br />
But most importantly, we had a ball.<br />
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I have loved Black Friday shopping with my sister for over a decade. Even when I worked retail, I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of helping people find the perfect gift for their friends and families. Sure, every so often there are people who forget their manners, that happens in any situation. And there have been crazy things that happen, even devastating. I am not in a position to write in depth on our culture of classist behavior of judging Black Friday shoppers with statements like "If you can't afford it any other time of the year, you shouldn't be buying it on Black Friday." Or those who are so proud that they do all THEIR shopping ONLINE. I'm still not sure that gives everyone who chooses not to participate the right to judge and call names of those who do. I was kind of bummed out, and worn out, to find so many statements claiming that all Black Friday shoppers were crazy, greed driven consumerists, and destroying the enviroment.<br />
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I shouldn't have to explain that my Black Friday shopping consisted of socks, jammies, fabric for making gifts, and a few inexpensive DVDs. I saved what I could so that when today came, I could make my carefully planned (and very thoroughly researched price compared) purchases. Because I get great joy out of creating, collecting, and gifting. It is a labor of love, for me and anyone I have met on my Black Friday adventures. Please don't allow a small percentage of crappy people allow you to think it is ok to call names and make judgements on the general Black Friday shopper.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-20097708242466572582013-11-28T19:03:00.002-08:002013-12-08T19:41:03.227-08:002013 Gratitude Challenge! I have done this <a href="http://www.trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/11/gratitude-challenge.html">in the past</a>. And <a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2013/11/the-2013-gratitude-challenge.html#comment-form">Momma Jorje</a> is right, it is time to do it again. Without further ado:<br />
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<ol>
<li>My husband. Who is cleaning puke right now.</li>
<li>L1~ his <a href="http://littleviewofabigworld.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-wizards-jewel.html">stories</a> and creations are so fun.</li>
<li>L2~ he is becoming an amazing little sous chef.</li>
<li>L3~ she is a firecracker, with such a kind heart.</li>
<li>Food, and good food at that.</li>
<li>A roof over our heads.</li>
<li>Clothes on our backs.</li>
<li>Shoes on our feet. Really. Mine are sparkly turquoise. </li>
<li>Books. The ultimate distractor, educator, and source of inspiration.</li>
<li>My brothers, for how amazing they are with my children.</li>
<li>My sister, for doing her best to always be there for us.</li>
<li>My mom, keeping up being an amazing grandma, through crazy snowmobile accidents and all.</li>
<li>My dad, for still always knowing what we like. (Who else could know the best gifts are a sword cane and a case of apples?)</li>
<li>My mom's husband, because there is no way I could manage my garden without help.</li>
<li>My garden. Giving me satisfaction for hard work, turned to wonderful food for our family.</li>
<li>Great friends. I am still so thankful for how so many came together for my birthday this year.</li>
<li>Body modification. I love tattoos, piercing, and rainbow hair. Expressing myself just by showing up!</li>
<li>Sleep. When I get it, I am EXTREEMLY grateful.</li>
<li>Naps for me, for when I don't get great sleep at night, but get a chance to catch up a bit.</li>
<li>Naps for L3, the only one who still naps, for the little bit of time to focus on my older two.</li>
<li>Special Time, creating an opportunity to reconnect with each child in their own way.</li>
<li>Photography, I am glad to have so many memories to keep tack of things that go too fast.</li>
<li>Homeschool. To have the chance to create individual learning experience for my children.</li>
<li>For homeschool groups, expanding and augmenting our learning.</li>
<li>The sun, because cold dark days are not my favorite.</li>
<li>Movies, oh, I love movies.</li>
<li>Joss Whedon.</li>
<li>Steven Moffat, all things considered.</li>
<li>J.K. Rowling. Always.</li>
<li>Tolkien. With all the joy brought to our family.</li>
<li>Community support. I haven't been able to be very active recently, but I am still grateful for them.</li>
<li>The library. No where else can we reach beyond our means to enhance our lives.</li>
<li>MegaBloks and LEGOS. Encouraging quiet play for hours at a time.</li>
<li>Music. Nothing changes our attitudes quicker.</li>
<li>The holidays, for bringing family together and reminding us to take time to be grateful.</li>
<li>My husband's job. Steady, reliable work doing something he enjoys.</li>
<li>Cooking skills. Delicious food doesn't just feed your body, it feeds your soul.</li>
<li>Cute hats. </li>
<li>Comfy clothes.</li>
<li>Fireball.</li>
<li>Local farms, providing wholesome food for my family.</li>
<li>New pressure canner! Another way to provide good food for my family.</li>
<li>Art supplies, driving creativity.</li>
<li>Sewing skills.</li>
<li>Cloth diapers, saving us money and saving the environment.</li>
<li>Hot showers!</li>
<li>Long baths.</li>
<li>Clean sheets.</li>
<li>Adorable clothes (at a great price is best!)</li>
<li>Internet, access to everything.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.naturalparentsnetwork.com/">Natural Parents Network</a>, a world community of the greatest friends.</li>
<li>How much my children love each other. Even if they forget sometimes.</li>
<li>My marriage. I don't think I could ask for anything better.</li>
<li>Improved health insurance that expanded our options.</li>
<li>A fully stocked pantry. Plenty to eat, no matter what.</li>
<li>Quality toilet paper.</li>
<li>A bathroom far from general company. (Sorry, we've had a stomach bug this week.)</li>
<li>Our continued improvement with gluten free baking.</li>
<li>My netti pot.</li>
<li>Homemade Elderberry syrup.</li>
<li>Gluten free hard cider options.</li>
<li>Working heater. I love being warm.</li>
<li>Fuzzy sweaters, for when the heater isn't enough.</li>
<li>Wool blankets, see above.</li>
<li>Rubber sole slippers. Keep my feet safe from legos, clean from random spills, and warm.</li>
<li>Watching the first Christmas movie of the season snuggled with my babies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</li>
<li>Superheroes. Imagination fodder for days.</li>
<li>Comic books. Slowly encouraging a love of reading.</li>
<li>L3's budding vocabulary. Never was there a cuter "Uh-oh!"</li>
<li>Medicinal use of hard alcohol. Mmm.</li>
<li>Having a chef for a husband.</li>
<li>Having a short shopping list this gift giving season.</li>
<li>Online shopping.</li>
<li>Video games</li>
<li>Cheese</li>
<li>Bedtime</li>
<li>When Daddy does bedtimes.</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Baby" carriers. Even though my "babies" are two and four, they still love a good "up-up" sometimes.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Smartphones. Though they can be annoying, I really enjoy having the whole world in my pocket. No longer are we left wondering about the million questions that come up during the day.</span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Co-sleeping. I'm pretty sure it helped save my sanity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Breastfeeding. I've been doing it for more than 6 years, and it gets annoying, but I wouldn't do it if it wasn't what was best for my children.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Companies who believe their customers are worth responsible practices and honest reporting on their methods and </span>ingredients<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The "geek" world going mainstream. Not always great, but it is kind of nice not always be on the fringe.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.julesglutenfree.com/Jules-Gluten-Free-All-Purpose-Flour-5-pound-bag-p/flour-1x5.htm">Jules gluten free all-purpose flour</a>. Without it, </span>gluten<span style="font-family: inherit;"> free food just isn't awesome.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our bikes. Harder to get about on in the winter, but so great when the weather is at least decent. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Black Friday. I love the general excitement, the joy of ticking off holiday wishes, playfully standing aside to laugh at the over zealous.</span></li>
<li>Being invited to be part of the Healthy Child Summit. </li>
<li>Having the connections to get product reviews, and neat things for my home and family.</li>
<li>Babysitters. Because mama needs a break.</li>
<li>Moms night out. A few drinks, a few laughs, and ready to face another day.</li>
<li>Moms night in. A little more comfortable, usually a little more connection. And chatting late in to the night. Like childhood sleepovers, but we each get a comfy bed at the end.</li>
<li>Cheesy movies with friends and family. The best lines are the ones we spit out ourselves.</li>
<li>Crafty friends. Because if I can't/don't have time for making it myself, I am glad I can support families before mass produce companies.</li>
<li>Etsy, because if I can't find a friend to make it, then I can still find another small buisiness to buy from.</li>
<li>Blogger, for the space to put all of my random thoughts out to whomever feels like partaking.</li>
<li>Doctor Who. Bringing generations of fans together.</li>
<li>Faith in our parenting choices, and learning to stand for them.</li>
<li>Each new day to try to be a better person than I was yesterday.</li>
<li>Birds, inspiring my children to explore just by being.</li>
<li>Museums: for supporting interests, introducing new ones, and providing us with connections to people with a passion for their subject.</li>
</ol>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-50897232612637821382013-11-25T19:03:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:45:02.231-08:00Healthy Child Summit<h2>
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when it comes to making the best choices for your family?</h2>
<br />
With all the hidden dangers lurking in our food supply, water supply, products we use daily, and even just in the environment, more and more parents are choosing to live a simpler, more natural lifestyle. But making the transition is enough to make any parent's head spin. And what about those soon-to-be parents who are just beginning their journey? All the research, websites, and books lead to information overload.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.healthychildsummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Track-Collage-400-Yale-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.healthychildsummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Track-Collage-400-Yale-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>What if there was an online resource where parents could be educated, inspired, and empowered to care for their family naturally?</strong> What if there was a resource that provided concise, easily digestible information on a wide range of topics from pre-conception all the way through the teen years? What if this resource was FREE? Curious yet?<br />
<br />
<h3>
The <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=246594&c=ib&aff=262374" target="_blank">Healthy Child Summit</a> brings together over 50 natural health, wellness, and parenting professionals who are dedicated to helping parents care for their family naturally. These experts know that this parenting gig is not easy and as such are arming you with the information you need to either begin, continue, or expand your journey as a natural-minded parent.</h3>
<br />
The Healthy Child Summit is a FREE online event that launches February 2014. It won't be like those other Summits, the ones were you have 24 hours to listen to 10 presentations. No - The Healthy Child Summit wants to arm you with as much information as you can absorb via an improved Summit model. A model where you will have time on your side so you can take advantage of all the incredible information these speakers are handing you.<br />
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In the spirit of empowering all of you, The Healthy Child Summit would like to invite you to a special SNEAK PREVIEW event! Starting Monday, November 18th and ending Friday, December 20th, you will have the opportunity to listen to one presentation per day for a total of 22 presentations.</center>
</h3>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that right! Get a jumpstart on your family's health and wellness before the New Year! Then come back in February and listen to over 30 NEW presentations, discover some you may have missed during the sneak preview, or listen to your favorite speakers again.<br />
<br />
<h2>
For more information on The Healthy Child Summit lineup, please <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=246594&c=ib&aff=262374" target="_blank">visit the official website</a>!</h2>
You can then register for the Sneak Preview, poke around the website and learn more about the fabulous <a href="http://www.healthychildsummit.com/speaker-lineup" target="_blank">speakers</a> and <a href="http://www.healthychildsummit.com/sponsors" target="_blank">sponsors</a>, and check out the amazing <a href="http://www.healthychildsummit.com/giveaway/" target="_blank">giveaways</a> happening throughout the Sneak Preview!<br />
<br />
I hope you are as excited about this landmark event as I am! I know I'll be listening!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-91435547799320896602013-11-22T04:00:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:45:20.382-08:00Introducing Native American Culture to Children at Natural Parents Network<strong>I have a post today at Natural Parents Network about "<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/introducing-native-american-culture-to-children/" target="_blank">Introducing Native American Culture to <br />
Children.</a>"</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UsmOVyvbqVAvpRHLWLFUr_72gZyvCZiqZCJ9cvO-dbW3wLdvH4Y2-NQ2ruqTrTjKC4ELWfCuR0Ogc2eSy6IhJHzcTQQ4cOpjrDMtTn1DjMctA6kq7Gw3lncbb3vmYAZBOyEen0zYkaii/s1600/NativeCulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UsmOVyvbqVAvpRHLWLFUr_72gZyvCZiqZCJ9cvO-dbW3wLdvH4Y2-NQ2ruqTrTjKC4ELWfCuR0Ogc2eSy6IhJHzcTQQ4cOpjrDMtTn1DjMctA6kq7Gw3lncbb3vmYAZBOyEen0zYkaii/s320/NativeCulture.jpg" width="320" /></a>That time of year has arrived. Harvest, turkeys, apple picking, pumpkin pies, and the story of the Indians and Pilgrims sharing the First Thanksgiving. It seems to be the only time of year we consider the historical or cultural impact "Indians" had on our lives: as a vague story of peace and harmony between the two groups who cohabited the area around Plymouth Rock. But, with November being <a href="http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/">Native American Heritage Month</a>, more families are taking a closer look at the contributions Native Americans have made to our history and society.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Bringing the discussion of Native history to our conversations today can be a very <br />
difficult subject to find reliable information on. There are books, crafts, movies, and <br />
shows, all shaping the view our society has of what it is to be Indian. So, how do we <br />
bring that discussion to our children, in a way that is respectful of true Native <br />
heritage?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/introducing-native-american-culture-to-children/" target="_blank">Continue reading at Natural Parents Network <br />
››</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-46099541256399505682013-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:45:34.666-08:00Geek Food: Pumpkin Pasties<!-- START TOP CODE --><br />
<strong>Welcome to the November 2013 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Feeding Your Family</strong><br />
<em>This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/losing-grains-keeping-empathy-paleo-fat-acceptance.html" target="_blank">Hobo Mama</a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/12/making-peace-with-my-picky-eater" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>. This month our participants have shared recipes, stories, and advice about food and eating. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.</em><br />
***<br />
<!-- END TOP CODE -->The long and short of things. Our family loves food. And we are pretty much geeks. So, it isn't a far leap to turning our love of cooking in to recreating food from our favorite stories and books. Being fall, of course I need to share Pumpkin Pasties.<br />
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Such a simple thing, and the kids love having their own little pie to devour. Fresh pumpkin, gluten free crust, just the right sugar and spice. I can not sing praises loud enough for <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.julesglutenfree.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Jules Gluten Free™ All-Purpose Flour</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #666666;">. </span>It really makes the best crust, and that is including the gluten-y kind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Filling</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLYAM_eWBPjzAlB6j4zF9rJvfQzTFN3LMzV-tPe_qxWf1sMh62vassDsYt34-zRqKAND0i1RsWiBq6Js8HgLAhUosSWoyiUAf-6AneLj9zObqWqM5rA6PDrrBbmTJnWTDxn9X0QubykB3/s1600/PUMPKINS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLYAM_eWBPjzAlB6j4zF9rJvfQzTFN3LMzV-tPe_qxWf1sMh62vassDsYt34-zRqKAND0i1RsWiBq6Js8HgLAhUosSWoyiUAf-6AneLj9zObqWqM5rA6PDrrBbmTJnWTDxn9X0QubykB3/s320/PUMPKINS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">2 eggs, slightly beaten</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">3/4 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">2 tbs melted butter or non-dairy alternative</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">2 cups fresh sugar pumpkin puree (ok, canned works.)</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 tsp ginger</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">1/4 tsp cloves</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">12oz evaporated milk or full fat coconut milk (can leave a coconut flavor, but with the spices I did not notice.)</span><br />
<br />
Blend eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, butter, salt and spices. Slowly add evaporated milk, mixing well. Bake the filling in a large, greased casserole dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 45 minutes or until your fork comes out clean. Let the filling cool completely.<br />
<br />
Crust<br />
1 cup (16 Tbs.) Jules Gluten Free™ All-Purpose Flour<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
2 Tbs. shortening, butter or non-dairy alternative<br />
3 Tbs butter or non-dairy alternative<br />
2 – 3 tablespoons cold water<br />
egg wash (1 egg + 1 Tbs. water) OR milk (dairy or non-dairy) for brushing on crust<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening and butter using flat paddle attachment on a stand mixer OR a pastry cutter. Add the water gradually to make the consistency you need to form a ball – err on the side of it being wetter rather than crumbly. Form a disc with the dough, wrap in plastic and set aside on the counter for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to rest.<br />
Roll the pastry out onto a surface dusted with flour. After you roll it out thin, about an 1/8in, cut circles about 4 inches in diameter. Spoon in just over a tablespoon in the middle of each circle. Fold in half and crimp the edges closed, with your fingers or a fork works well, too. Brush with egg wash. Cut a few slits in the crust for venting, place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 until crust turns golden, about 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Serve with a nice cold butter beer and enjoy!<br />
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***<br />
<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank" title="Carnival of Natural Parenting"><img align="right" alt="Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama" border="0" class="alignright" src="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/lintpicker/CNPnaturalparent.jpg" /></a>Visit <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/p/carnival-of-natural-parenting.html" target="_blank"><strong>Hobo Mama</strong></a> and <a href="http://codenamemama.com/carnival-of-natural-parenting/" target="_blank"><strong>Code Name: Mama</strong></a> to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!<br />
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:<br />
<em>(This list will be updated by afternoon November 12 with all the carnival links.)</em><br />
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<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.craftygardenmama.com/2013/10/nut-free-desserts-holidays/" target="_blank">Nut Free Desserts for the Holidays</a></strong> — Becky at <strong>Crafty Garden Mama</strong> will be talking about navigating the holidays with peanut allergies in the family.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/12/making-peace-with-my-picky-eater" target="_blank">Making Peace with My Picky Eater</a></strong> — Once upon a time, there was a boy who would try anything. And then he turned 3. Thus began the dinner chronicles at Dionna at <strong>Code Name: Mama</strong>'s house.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://her.joshandrosemary.com/blog/foodie-morphed-by-motherhood/" target="_blank">Foodie Morphed by Motherhood</a></strong> — Rosemary at <strong>Rosmarinus Officinalis</strong> reflects on the changes of her family's food culture since becoming a mother, and shares a snapshot of their current food rhythm.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.thatmamagretchen.com/2013/11/introducing-first-foods.html" target="_blank">Introducing First Foods</a></strong> — Wondering what your little one should take a bite of first? <strong>That Mama Gretchen</strong> explains baby-led weaning/baby self-feeding and answers a number of questions that may come to mind!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/?p=4404" target="_blank">Feeding Your Family — Coconut Oil!!!</a></strong> — Jennifer at <strong>Hybrid Rasta Mama</strong> is a coconut oil devotee. In this post, she shares her favorite ways to include coconut oil in her family's diet as well as why she feels it is important to do so. </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://%20http//onelovelivity.com/childofnatureblog/we-thank-the-earth-for-its-food" target="_blank">We Thank the Earth for its Food!</a></strong> — Terri at <strong>Child of the Nature Isle</strong> spends hours in the kitchen each day trying to make medicine in the form of food.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/11/12/focusing-on-healthy-gluten-free-foods-for-my-fam%20ily/" target="_blank">Focusing on Healthy, Gluten-Free Foods for My Family</a></strong> — Deb Chitwood at <strong>Living Montessori Now</strong> shares what her family is doing to eat healthily along with her recipe for gluten-free peanut butter oat bran muffins.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://sustainable-mum.blogspot.com/2013/11/intolerance.html" target="_blank">Intolerance</a></strong> — <strong>sustainablemum</strong> laments the misunderstanding surrounding food intolerances.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://titus2homemaker.com/2013/11/dont-let-food-sensitivities-ruin-your-holidays" target="_blank">Don't Let Food Sensitivities Ruin Your Holidays!</a></strong> — Rachel, the <strong>Titus 2 Homemaker</strong>, talks about ways to enjoy the holidays even if you wrestle with food sensitivities.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/losing-grains-keeping-empathy-paleo-fat-acceptance.html" target="_blank">Losing grains, keeping empathy: Paleo and fat acceptance</a></strong> — Lauren at <strong>Hobo Mama</strong> vlogs about her family's decision to cut grains to improve health — and hopes she can retain her position as a proponent of size acceptance even as she loses weight.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.amywilla.com/2013/11/easy-crockpot-homemade-mac-cheese" target="_blank">Easy Homemade Crockpot Mac & Cheese</a></strong> — Amy W. at <strong>Me, Mothering, and Making it All Work</strong>, shakes off the blue-box blues with an easy crockpot mac-and-cheese recipe with no artificial dyes or excessive preservatives … just creamy, delicious, comfort-food goodness.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://maydela.blogspot.com/2013/11/extended-family-dinners.html" target="_blank">Extended Family Dinners</a></strong> — Shannon at <strong>Pineapples & Artichokes</strong> talks about sharing family dinners with housemates and why it works for her.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199#" target="_blank">Five Suggestions for Eating Healthy During the Holidays</a></strong> — No need to feel powerless when it comes to our highly sugared/processed food culture during the holidays &emdash; Andrea at <strong>It Takes Time</strong> offers tips to stay on track.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://jessicacary.com/?p=426" target="_blank">How to feed your family — no food required!</a></strong> — Jessica at <strong>JessicaCary.com</strong> is kind of obsessed with food. But, lately she's realized there's more to nourishment than what she cooks up in the kitchen.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://crunchychewymama.com/index.php/food-as-family-medicine-gluten-free-and-beyond" target="_blank">Food as family medicine: living gluten-free and beyond</a></strong> — Jessica at <strong>Crunchy-Chewy Mama</strong> sticks to her gluten-free guns but sees room for improvement in her pursuit of a real-food family table.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.togetherwalking.com/1/post/2013/11/feeding-my-family-challenges-and-growth.html" target="_blank">Feeding My Family — Challenges and Growth</a></strong> — Susan at <strong>Together Walking</strong> shares what has been most challenging about feeding her two kids and how she has grown in the kitchen since becoming a mother.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/?p=8085" target="_blank">How I Lost 75 Lbs — What I Eat & My Top 5 Tips</a></strong> — Abbie at <strong>Farmer's Daughter</strong> shares how she and her family became healthy, happy and active.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.raisingarevolution.tumblr.com/post/123/november2013-blogcarnival-feedingyourfam%20ily" target="_blank">The Weight of Motherhood</a></strong> — Revolution Momma at <strong>Raising a Revolution</strong> rethinks her relationship with food after struggling with post-pregnancy weight gain.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/11/geek-food-pumpkin-pasties.html" target="_blank">Geek Food: Pumpkin Pasties</a></strong> — While Jennifer at <strong>True Confessions of a Real Mommy</strong> and family might have food sensitivities, their geekery knows no limits. So, when faced with a desire to recreate Pumpkin Pasties from Harry Potter, they do not shy away!</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://mamaisinspired.com/pumpkin-harvest-muffins/" target="_blank">Pumpkin Harvest Muffins</a></strong> — This summer <strong>Mama is Inspired</strong> and family grew pumpkins, and this autumn they are baking scrumptious, healthy muffins out of those pumpkins.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://pandamoly.blogspot.com/2013/11/veg-to-meat.html" target="_blank">Reintroducing Meat to the Vegetarian Tummy</a></strong> — Ana at <strong>Panda & Ananaso</strong> shares some of the considerations she explored before transitioning from a vegetarian diet to reintroducing meat as a protein source and a few tips on making it an easy one.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-meal-thankful.html" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Meal, Thankful?</a></strong> — Jorje of <strong>Momma Jorje</strong> has never felt terribly thankful for Thanksgiving itself. Perhaps that could change if she's a little more invested?</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/5-ways-healing-bone-broth/" target="_blank">5 Ways to Use Healing Bone Broth</a></strong> — It's that time of year again, when unpleasant little bugs make their way into our homes. For Megan of <strong><a href="http://www.thebohomama.com/" target="_blank">Boho Mama</a></strong>, guest posting at <strong>Natural Parents Network</strong>, homemade stock or bone broth is a natural remedy.</li>
</ul>
<!-- END BOTTOM STRAIGHT LIST CODE -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-49120916332801839332013-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:46:01.499-08:00Natural Parents Network's 2nd Annual Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway! {12/6, 26 winners, US, ARV $2,587}<img alt="Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway {12/6, 26 winners, US, ARV $2,587}" class="aligncenter" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg" width="100%" /><br />
<h3>
Welcome to the Second Annual Natural Parents Network Holiday Gift Guide!</h3>
If you need to complete your holiday shopping, find a birthday present for a friend, or just treat yourself to something special, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone. But what's even better, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide is a great opportunity to shop consciously and to support many naturally minded small businesses.<br />
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<strong>The companies that have provided items for review and giveaway are almost exclusively made up of work-at-home shops or companies that are dedicated to supporting eco-conscious choices.</strong> Below you will find information on 54 companies from 22 of our NPN volunteers. <strong>The companies are giving away over 58 products, subscriptions, and gift certificates, for a total combined value of over $2,500!</strong> As you scroll through the Gift Guide, we encourage you to click on the links for each of the reviews — look for the links to our volunteers' blogs in each heading and read their full review! Our volunteers have crafted thoughtful posts on each participating company with pictures of and links to products that are simply perfect for our natural parenting families. <strong>You can enter to win every giveaway by using the Rafflecopter system below or via the reviewers' site.</strong><br />
<br />
Even if you don't win one of our fabulous prize packages, please consider spending part of your gift-giving budget at one of these small businesses. <strong>By supporting small businesses, you are helping families, boosting local economies, and supporting ethical practices of manufacturing, production, and selling.</strong> We know that budgets are tighter and finances may be difficult, but by purchasing from small, family-owned businesses, you know you will be receiving quality items made with appropriate business practices and personal customer service, all while supporting another family's endeavors.<br />
<br />
<strong>Many of the companies have included coupon codes — take advantage of them!</strong> You can find the coupon codes in the heading of each company listing. (Please note that coupons are not good on shipping fees unless otherwise stated.)<br />
<br />
We've broken the Gift Guide down into two sections (click the links below to jump to either section):<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199#perfectkids">Perfect For Kids</a></strong></div>
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and</div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199#perfectfamilies">Perfect For Families</a></strong></div>
And after you're done checking out the incredible companies, jump down and enter in one or more of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199#2ndannualRC">six Rafflecopter widgets</a> below!<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199" name="#perfectkids"></a><br />
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<br />
<h3>
Perfect For Kids</h3>
<a href="http://wp.me/p1CYU1-2rE" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="DSC_5635_large" class="size-medium wp-image-33881 alignright" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DSC_5635_large-198x300.jpg" style="line-height: 18px;" width="198" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://5mr.com/" target="_blank">5 Minute Recess</a></h4>
<a href="http://5mr.com/" target="_blank">5 Minute Recess</a> is a babywearer's dream shop! Julia from <a href="http://wp.me/p1CYU1-2rE" target="_blank">A Little Bit of All of It</a> shares with us the gorgeous handwoven wraps, ring slings, wrap bags and even wrap scrap creations she found on their site. If you love unique colorways, beautiful fringe and a super supportive but thin weave, the Inda Jani handwoven wraps from 5 Minute Recess will be perfect for you! They also carry a thicker weave as well with a little more cushiness. The best part is how affordable they are! If you have a babywearer in your life, any of the Inda Jani wraps, ring slings or wrap creations would be a lovely and special gift.<br />
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Use coupon code <strong>bwing10</strong> at checkout for 10% off! All U.S. orders ship free!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-alphabet-glue-emagazine.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="AG 280 photo collage" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33882" height="250" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AG-280-photo-collage.png" width="250" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://alphabetglue.com/" target="_blank">Alphabet Glue</a></h4>
From Lauren of <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-alphabet-glue-emagazine.html" target="_blank">Hobo Mama</a>, check out <a href="http://alphabetglue.com/" target="_blank">Alphabet Glue</a>, which is a delightful e-magazine filled with activities and inspiration for families who love books. Each seasonally thematic PDF issue is full of charming photographs, exciting science experiments, literary-themed crafts, story-building activities, and related booklists to further the love of reading. The set of 5 e-issues included in this giveaway include projects such as pinhole viewboxes, shoebox string instruments, animated cartoon cards, incredible inflatable eggs, monster toothpaste, story starting pods, homemade bouncy balls, DIY natural history museums, Morse code messages, and many more! This e-magazine would be a perfect gift for a family interested in homeschooling or extending natural learning into their everyday lives.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-appleseed-lane.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="appleseed-lane-box" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33883" height="200" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/appleseed-lane-box-300x200.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.appleseedlane.com/?Click=4169" target="_blank">Appleseed Lane</a></h4>
Lauren of <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-appleseed-lane.html" target="_blank">Hobo Mama</a> shares how <a href="http://www.appleseedlane.com/?Click=4169" target="_blank">Appleseed Lane</a> will spark a lifelong love of learning with monthly <a href="http://www.appleseedlane.com/#&panel1-1&panel2-1&Click=4169">boxes full of science experiments and lesson-based crafts</a>. Geared toward ages 4-10, these boxes are perfect for homeschoolers and natural learners. Boxes can be purchased a la carte or at a discount with a 6-month or 1-year subscription, and there's an optional sibling add-on for extra supplies so no one has to squabble over the fun! Each box has a theme (such as Halloween, Mystery, and Electricity) and an educational children's book full of fun facts and colorful illustrations, and all the supplies for the experiments and crafts are included, with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions. Have fun learning and playing with an Appleseed Lane box surprise every month!<br />
<blockquote>
Use <strong>coupon</strong> <strong>5off for $5 off</strong> for "Join" or "Gift" Subscriptions!</blockquote>
In addition, orders between now & December 6th will be part of the "Get 1, Give 1" campaign to support children in need! Purchase a subscription or gift certificate & Appleseed Lane will donate a box to the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless for the holidays on your behalf! Homeless children represent 60% of AACH's clients. Read the <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-appleseed-lane.html" target="_blank">full review</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="CollageJewelryProduct" class="alignright wp-image-33884" height="270" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CollageJewelryProduct-270x300.jpg" width="243" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.artterro.com/">Artterro</a></h4>
From our reviewer, Jorje of <a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank">Momma Jorje</a>, a Collage Jewelry craft kit from <a href="http://www.artterro.com/">Artterro</a>. Jorje's teen daughter, Tyler, helped her review this product for content variety, fun and sturdiness. The kit includes a great variety of materials for designing 6 unique jewelry pieces, which is a fun family activity for older kids, and no two kits are exactly alike. Jorje and Tyler also thought having the box turn into a frame for finished artwork was ingenious! Artterro offers a huge range of kits for younger kids all the way up to teens.<br />
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<a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Baby K'Tan" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33885" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gallery48-small-250x300.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.babyktan.com/" target="_blank">Baby K'tan</a></h4>
The <a href="http://www.babyktan.com/" target="_blank">Baby K'tan Baby Carrier</a> is a unique baby carrier that offers the comfort and support of a stretchy wrap without the wrapping. It is safe for use with newborns and safely supports babies up to 35 pounds in multiple carrying positions with ergonomic positioning for baby and comfortable support with even weight distribution for the wearer. Made from 100% cotton knit fabric, there are no buckles or straps and no confusing wrapping techniques to master. With its ease of use and variety of gender-neutral colors, Baby K'tan is a great carrier for moms and dads alike. <a href="http://www.babyktan.com/burpcloth.html" target="_blank">The K’tanCloth</a> 3-in-1 can be used as a burp rag, a nursing cover, or a blankie. It features easy on-and-off Velcro to attach it to baby carriers, nursing tanks, stroller handles, and an open-pocket design to catch messes. This breathable cloth is made from absorbent microfiber on one side and soft cotton on the other. Check out Joella of Fine & Fair and <a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank">read her full review</a>.<br />
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And just for NPN readers, use coupon code <strong>BKNPN15 </strong>for 15% off your order between now & December 31.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.thebohomama.com/2013/11/back-to-blocks-review-NPN-Gift-Guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Back To Blocks" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33887" height="199" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/wooden_block_set_60_block_inexpensive_wooden_block_set3-300x199.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.backtoblocks.com/" target="_blank">Back To Blocks</a></h4>
<a href="https://www.backtoblocks.com/" target="_blank">Back To Blocks</a> is an awesome US based company that makes handcrafted, all natural building blocks for children of all ages, and each set comes with its own storage bucket for easy clean up after play. Whether you are looking for a small starter set perfect for a preschooler, or a large building block set for your child's classroom, Back To Blocks has natural hardwood blocks that are smooth and sliver-free, and will last for generations. Check out Megan of <a href="http://www.thebohomama.com/2013/11/back-to-blocks-review-NPN-Gift-Guide.html" target="_blank">Boho Mama</a> and her full review!<br />
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<a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-barefoot-books-arv-30126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="BarefootBooks" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33888" height="180" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/whole-world_pbcdex_fc_w_3.jpg" width="186" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.barefootbooks.com/" target="_blank">Barefoot Books</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.barefootbooks.com/" target="_blank">Barefoot Books</a> was born over twenty years ago by two young mothers who wanted to make a difference in the world while keeping their children at the center of their lives. Barefoot Books opens a child's mind with their one of a kind stories and breathtaking artwork. Barefoot Books offers books for babies all the way up to advanced readers, they also offer singalongs, puzzles, games, and puppets. Angela of <a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-barefoot-books-arv-30126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Earth Mama's World</a> tried out Barefoot Books with her family and found that the products offered at Barefoot Books not only spark a child's curiosity and creativity, they also help a child develop a respect for cultural, social, and ecological diversity. Barefoot Books is also an environmentally conscious business that believes that the welfare of our children is dependent on the welfare or our planet. They recognize social accountability and implement many practices that help to reduce their carbon footprint.<br />
<blockquote>
From November 24 through December 7, NPN readers can use coupon code <strong>NATURALPARENTS</strong> at Barefoot Books for 25% off their entire order!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.giveaways.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/giveaway-calico-critters-set-92-arv-second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-126-26-winners-us-only-2587.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="CalicoCritters" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33890" height="260" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/c83259893a45d56d5b24a6d6b1fca491.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.calicocritters.com/" target="_blank">Calico Critters</a></h4>
Come meet the <a href="http://www.calicocritters.com/" target="_blank">Calico Critters</a>! These are an adorable, fuzzy, lovable series of miniature animals and their world full of adventures. Marybeth of <a href="http://www.giveaways.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/giveaway-calico-critters-set-92-arv-second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-126-26-winners-us-only-2587.html" target="_blank">Natural Mom Reviews</a> tried out Calico Critters with her daughter & loved the Koala family: mother Sheila owns her own eco-friendly shop; the papa, Bruce, is the leader of the Cloverleaf Corners Environmental Awareness Society; sister Adelaide wants to start her own eco-fashion company when she grows up; and baby brother Joey is very attached to his mother and loves playing outside and being worn on his mom & dad's backs. They live in an adorable adventure-filled treehouse!<br />
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<a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide_4.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Carry Me Baby Carrier Rental" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33892" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Carry-Me-Baby-Carrier-Rental-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://carrymebabycarriers.com/" target="_blank">Carry Me Baby Carrier </a></h4>
<a href="http://carrymebabycarriers.com/" target="_blank">Carry Me Baby Carrier </a>rental service offers parents the opportunity to try out baby carriers before investing in them. High-quality baby carriers truly are an investment, and this service allows for the chance to try a variety of styles out to help parents determine which carrier best suits their needs for much less than purchasing a full line of carriers new to try! Options include buckle carriers, Mei Tais, ring slings, and woven wraps and come in sizes that will accommodate babies and wearers of all sizes. New wearers have the option of receiving a free e-mail consultation to help choose the best carrier to try, and clean and sanitized carriers are shipped within 48 hours of completing the rental agreement. The renter uses the carrier as if it were their own for the duration of the rental period, then returns it when done. A gift certificate from Carry Me Baby Carriers makes the perfect gift for new parents or parents new to baby wearing. Check out Joella's review over at <a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide_4.html" target="_blank">Fine And Fair</a>.<br />
<blockquote>
And just for our readers, enter code <strong>NPNdiscount</strong> for 15% off any rental or purchase between now and December 25. Discount can be used for any carrier rentals <em>or</em> gift card purchases.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/2013/11/02/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-ergobaby-organic-baby-carrier-135-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="ErgoCarrier" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33893" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ergo-baby-organic-baby-carrier-dark-chocolate-BC9TODCK-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/" target="_blank">Ergobaby: The Ergobaby Organic Baby Carrier</a></h4>
From our reviewer Abbie at <a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/2013/11/02/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-ergobaby-organic-baby-carrier-135-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Farmer's Daughter</a>, the <a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/" target="_blank">Ergobaby Organic Baby Carrier</a> is a soft structured carrier. It's versatile enough to use from infancy on up to four years old, with three comfortable carries. I've carried both of my big boys in front carries so they could snuggle to sleep while out and about, or on my back for big adventures, or to soothe an overtired child so I can get some housework done in the evenings. Made of 100% Oeko-Tex certified organic cotton, it also comes with a hood that's UPF 50+. Enter to win an <a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/baby-carrier/organic-collection/Ergobaby-Organic-Baby-Carriers?child=BCII9TODCKNL" target="_blank">Ergobaby Organic Baby Carrier</a> for a very comfortable babywearing experience for baby and parent!<br />
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<a href="http://maydela.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Ergobaby Swaddler" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33894" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1027-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/swaddler" target="_blank">Ergobaby: The Ergobaby Swaddler</a></h4>
From our reviewer Shannon of <a href="http://maydela.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank">Pineapples and Artichokes</a>, a review of the <a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/swaddler" target="_blank">ErgoBaby Swaddler</a>: The ErgoBaby Swaddler is an easy to use and safe way to help your baby sleep more peacefully. Recommended by moms and medical experts alike, the Ergobaby Swaddler's innovative features help prevent your baby from startling awake while the ergonomic design allows for natural movement of baby's hips and legs as recommended by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thatmamagretchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Freshly Picked" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33895" height="200" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/slideshow_2-300x200.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://freshly-picked.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Freshly Picked</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.thatmamagretchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank">That Mama Gretchen</a> and her little one can't get enough of <a href="http://freshly-picked.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Freshly Picked's</a> beautiful handmade leather moccasins. With a great fit and adorable colors, Freshly Picked moccs are the perfect gift for babies, early walkers and more (available in sizes 1-10). These Moccasins are soft-soled shoes that will make sure your baby stands out in a crowd! But with so many lovely colors, how will you choose just one?!<br />
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<a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/?p=8068" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="gveggie-pant-1" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33896" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gveggie-pant-1-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.gdiapers.com/" target="_blank">GDiapers</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.gdiapers.com/" target="_blank">GDiapers</a> are an ecofriendly hybrid diapering system that offers the flexibility of using cloth or disposable, biodegradable inserts in their reusable gPants covers. Abbie from <a href="http://farmersdaughterct.com/?p=8068" target="_blank">Farmer's Daughter</a> has used gDiapers with both of her sons for over three years, and she loves that she is able to use either cloth or disposables, without all the plastic and chemicals found in a conventional diaper! Disposable inserts can be flushed, composted (wet only), or thrown away. Matching clothes and baby legs complete the adorable look! Enter to win a gVeggie ensemble including gPants, a tee and gLegs, a set of 6 gPants reusable covers, a case of disposable inserts and gWipes!<br />
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<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-highlights-magazine.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="puzzlemania" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33900" height="191" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/puzzlemania-300x191.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.pntra.com/t/2-76138-83364-87419" target="_blank">Highlights for Children</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.pntra.com/t/2-76138-83364-87419" target="_blank">Highlights for Children</a> has the perfect magazines for any child: <a href="http://www.pjatr.com/t/4-95298-83364-87419" target="_blank"><em>Hello</em></a> for ages 0-2, <a href="http://www.gopjn.com/t/4-81548-83364-87419" target="_blank"><em>High Five</em></a> for ages 2-6, and <a href="http://www.pntrac.com/t/4-98808-83364-87419"><em>Highlights</em></a> for ages 6-12, plus <a href="http://www.pjtra.com/t/4-104440-83364-87419">puzzle</a>, <a href="http://www.pjtra.com/t/2-100271-83364-87419" target="_blank">geography, hidden pictures, and math magazines</a> as well as <a href="http://www.pjtra.com/t/2-100271-83364-87419" target="_blank">educational books and toys</a>. Highlights has been publishing "fun with a purpose" since 1946, and today's editions include engaging illustrations and enjoyable extras like stickers and cut-outs to engage any kid's interest. A subscription to one of Highlights' many magazines would make a perfect gift for a child of any age and a family interested in home learning. Check out Lauren & read her <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-highlights-magazine.html" target="_blank">full review on Hobo Mama</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/jupiters-child-review-and-giveawaysecond-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-jupiters-child-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Jupiter's Child" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33898" height="226" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/il_570xN.232417790-300x226.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jupiterschild" target="_blank">Jupiter’s Child</a></h4>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/jupiterschild" target="_blank">Jupiter’s Child</a> is a small company of three multi-talented women. They bring a collective background of experience in woodworking, handwork, and graphic design. The talents of these three women come together beautifully in their etsy shop which is full of extremely high quality toys, children's clothing, and Waldorf craft supplies. Kellie got the privilege of reviewing their organic cotton "Peace Chicken" toddler tee and carved wooden hedgehog. Read the full review over on <a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/jupiters-child-review-and-giveawaysecond-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-jupiters-child-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Our Mindful Life</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-organic-kathe-kruse-doll-35-arv126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Organic Gugguli Doll" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33899" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/89165_3-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.kathekruse-usa.com/" target="_blank">Käthe Kruse </a></h4>
<a href="http://www.kathekruse-usa.com/" target="_blank">Käthe Kruse </a>has over 100 years experience making quality handcrafted dolls. These charming dolls are all made from hand, not mass produced, and have a unique design that encourages creativity and promotes cooperative play. These dolls are made to last generations, not years! All of the Käthe Kruse products are made with handcrafted detail and environmental consciousness. Angela of Earth Mama's World tried out the Mini Me Waldorf Doll with her lovely family and shares the joys of their beautifully crafted toys in her review. Read the <a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-organic-kathe-kruse-doll-35-arv126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26" target="_blank">full review</a>!<br />
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NPN readers can use coupon code NPNDISCOUNT10 for <strong>10% off a whole order</strong> through November 30.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-little-pim-language-learning-set.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="little-pim-dvd-1" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33901" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/little-pim-dvd-1-200x300.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=YJxV5iakSB0&offerid=291535.7&type=3&subid=0" target="_blank">Little Pim</a></h4>
<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=YJxV5iakSB0&offerid=291535.7&type=3&subid=0" target="_blank">Little Pim</a> offers an Entertainment Immersion Method to make learning a foreign language fun for kids 0-6. Little Pim the panda guides kids through immersion DVDs in one of 11 languages, giving children useful vocabulary and simple, grammatically correct sentences for everyday living, on topics such as Eating and Drinking; Playtime; In My Home; Happy, Sad, and Silly; and more. The Discovery Set that's part of the giveaway contains 3 DVDs featuring over 180 basic words in the winner's choice of language, a panda plush toy, and a Little Pim poster. Lauren from Hobo Mama tried out Little Pim with her family and <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-little-pim-language-learning-set.html" target="_blank">shares her experiences in her review</a>.<br />
<blockquote>
NPN readers can use code LPHOLIDAY<br />
for 20% off any product on their website.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-and-giveaway-mama-made-them-review/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="il_570xN.370090637_as53" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33903" height="225" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/il_570xN.370090637_as53-300x225.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaMadeThem">Mama Made Them</a></h4>
From our reviewer Laura Burns of <a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-and-giveaway-mama-made-them-review/" target="_blank">Pug In The Kitchen</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaMadeThem">Mama Made Them</a> is a fantastic Etsy shop that is dedicated to handcrafted wooden toys that are both beautiful and durable. Mama Made Them offers a huge selection of wooden toys your children will love, from wooden swords, dollhouses, animals, and lovely keepsake ornaments. Laura's children loved their new toys & are sure to play with them for years to come.<br />
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NPN readers can use coupon code <strong>GIVEAWAY</strong> for<br />
10% off a whole order through December 31.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-mrs-cs-gluten-free-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="MrsC'sGlutenFree" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33904" height="200" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/il_570xN.421745542_2u5y-300x200.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsCsGlutenFree" target="_blank">Mrs. C's Gluten Free</a></h4>
Kellie of <a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-mrs-cs-gluten-free-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Our Mindful Life</a> reviews <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsCsGlutenFree" target="_blank">Mrs. C's Gluten Free</a> gluten free playdough, Make & Play playdough, and watercolor paints set! Kellie's family had fun with the Halloween Eye See You gluten free playdough in vibrant, fun, nibble safe colors, the Make & Play playdough, and watercolor paints from Mrs. C's Gluten Free. Mrs. C's Gluten Free stocks organic, gluten-free, chemical-free, and petroleum-free school supplies you will love!<br />
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<a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-my-chickadee-mini-carrier-arv-22126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="MyChickadeeMiniCarrier" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33996" height="294" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MyChickadeeMiniCarrier.jpg" width="268" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.mychickadeedesigns.com/index.html">My Chickadee</a></h4>
Janina from <a href="http://www.mychickadeedesigns.com/">My Chickadee Designs</a>, learned to sew when she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter. She now creates diaper bags, wet bags, totes, reusable snack bags, and a mini carrier for children. My Chickadee caters to families that live a natural and greener lifestyle. This lifestyle inspired the creation of the Mini Carrier. This wonderful children's carrier allows a child to carry their doll or animal just like you carry your child. The mini carrier is wonderful for a child welcoming a new sibling and makes a perfect gift! My Chickadee products are easy to clean, machine washable and lead & phthalate free. All of the products offered by My Chickadee are designed by a mom and made in the USA. Read Angela's full review at <a href="http://www.earthmamasworld.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-my-chickadee-mini-carrier-arv-22126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26" target="_blank">Earth Mama's World.</a><br />
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<a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/06/giveaway-silk-rainbow/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Nova 2" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-34019" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Nova-2-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.novanatural.com/" target="_blank">Nova Natural</a></h4>
At 9 feet long and 4.5 feet wide, Nova Natural's beautiful rainbow silk is big enough to turn your play structure into a fairy castle or your floor into a rainbow river. And because it is hand-dyed in the United States, each silk is one of a kind. Bring magic and beauty into your home with your own <a href="http://www.novanatural.com/" target="_blank">Silk Rainbow from Nova Natural</a>. Free shipping on orders over $100! Read more from Dionna of <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/06/giveaway-silk-rainbow/" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-onya-baby-cruiser-129-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="cruiser_product1" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33975" height="240" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cruiser_product1.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://onyababy.com/" target="_blank">Onya Baby </a></h4>
From our reviewer, Julia of <a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-onya-baby-cruiser-129-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">A Little Bit Of All Of It,</a> <a href="http://onyababy.com/" target="_blank">Onya Baby </a>makes going anywhere with your baby a breeze. Comfortably wear your baby, toddler or preschooler on your front or back and securely and ergonomically carry them wherever your journeys take you. The best part is this unique baby carrier has an integrated chair harness that transforms pretty much any seat into a safe place for your baby to sit. Carry all you need with you in the two zippered double entry pockets and entertain baby by using the toy loops on each shoulder strap. With a weight limit of 75 pounds and an extra high back, this carrier goes well into preschool-hood comfortably. And with the new addition of the Onya Baby Booster, you can even wear your newborn in this carrier! If you have anyone on your holiday gift giving list that takes care of a young child, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199">Onya Baby Cruiser</a> would be the perfect way to give them hands free mobility with their young one.<br />
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<a href="http://pomegranate.stores.yahoo.net/po.html" target="_blank">Pomegranate Kids</a></h4>
<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Pomegranate-Kids.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Pomegranate Kids" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-34148" height="294" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Pomegranate-Kids-300x277.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://pomegranate.stores.yahoo.net/po.html" target="_blank">Pomegranate Kids</a> is sharing from their series of Charley Harper Nature Discovery Books with us! Drawing from Charley Harper's <em>Birdicopia</em> comes a wonderful book and sticker set that not only introduces children to the artist's interpretation of things in nature along a walk through <em>What's in the Woods</em>, identifying plants and animals along the way. Jennifer from <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-pomegranate-kids.html" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a> shares how her bird-loving children reacted to the story and sticker book.<br />
<blockquote>
From now through November 16, use code <span style="color: black;"><b>naturalparent</b></span> for<br />
20% off your entire purchase at Pomegranate Kids!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-rainbowsouffle-jetpack.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Rainbowsouffle" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33919" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Rainbowsouffle-200x300.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RainbowSouffle" target="_blank">Rainbowsouffle</a></h4>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RainbowSouffle" target="_blank">Rainbowsouffle</a> is a colorful, whimsical Etsy shop created to fill the gap in the children's' toys & clothing market for gender neutral items that will bring hours of play and joy to your children. This shop is geared towards the more colorful families amongst us. Rainbowsouffle offers <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115800675/jetpack-toy-rocketship-spaceship?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">wearable children's toy JetPacks</a>, Handmade wishing Star& Moon mobile sets, Handmade Ribbon Dolls, and more. Each item is carefully designed and handcrafted with love & a great attention to detail to create a one of a kind product your child will cherish for years to come. Read the <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2013/11/giveaway-rainbowsouffle-jetpack.html" target="_blank">full review</a> from Lauren of Hobo Mama!<br />
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Use code <strong>naturalparents</strong> for free shipping in the US until December 31.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/02/giveaway-make-n-break-junior-game" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Make 'n Break Junior" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33917" height="240" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/22084.jpg" width="230" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ravensburger.com/" target="_blank">Ravensburger: Make 'n Break Junior game</a></h4>
On your blocks, get set, go! In Ravensburger's <a href="http://www.ravensburger.com/us/shop/games/children-s-games/make-n-break-junior-22084/index.html" target="_blank">Make 'n Break Junior game</a>, kids ages 5-99 will have fun racing to build structures. Each player has a set of blocks. In each round of play, players try to build structures as shown on game cards. There are different cards for different skills levels. Ravensburger's created Make 'n Break Junior to develop children's fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, shape recognition, and more. Read more from Dionna of <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/02/giveaway-make-n-break-junior-game" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/03/giveaway-on-the-farm-game/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="On the Farm game" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33918" height="240" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/24510.jpg" width="186" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ravensburger.com/" target="_blank">Ravensburger: On the Farm game</a></h4>
Toddlers and preschoolers will love Ravenburger's 3-dimensional game with a colorful farm scene and sturdy game pieces. You can adapt game play to your child's skill level and interest. <a href="http://www.ravensburger.com/us/shop/new/games/on-the-farm-24510/index.html" target="_blank">On the Farm</a> was designed to help toddlers develop association and deduction, build vocabulary, and learn social rules such as turn-taking. Most importantly, playing games like On the Farm with your children will create opportunities for connection that will last a lifetime. Read more from Dionna at <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/03/giveaway-on-the-farm-game/" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://maydela.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide_3.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="SparkleStories" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33920" height="208" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SparkleStories.jpg" width="292" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/" target="_blank">Sparkle Stories</a></h4>
From our reviewer Shannon of <a href="http://maydela.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide_3.html" target="_blank">Pineapples & Artichokes</a>, a review of <a href="http://www.sparklestories.com/" target="_blank">Sparkle Stories</a>! Sparkle Stories is a resource for original, high-quality online stories. Sparkle stories are designed to be fun for kids and adults, and encourage imagination and creative play. With a subscription to Sparkle Stories, you will get new seasonably appropriate story magic each week, to be enjoyed online or downloaded and taken with you wherever you go! This is the perfect gift to give to long distance friends and families you love — every time they log on to enjoy a new story they will certainly think of you.<br />
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<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/05/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-sparro-b-30-arv-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="13d060_71628bc3ccdce1f2ce4dddd539a3a986.jpg_srz_400_322_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33921" height="241" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/13d060_71628bc3ccdce1f2ce4dddd539a3a986.jpg_srz_400_322_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz-300x241.jpeg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sparrowandbcostumery" target="_blank">Sparro & B </a></h4>
The mom duo at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sparrowandbcostumery" target="_blank">Sparro & B </a>understands kids. They have created a fabulous array of bright and exciting children's costumes and accessories which encourage imaginative play. You won't be disappointed when your child's face transforms into smiles at the sight of these costumes. Using a mix of new and upcycled materials, these Australian moms make fun and funky hand-made items certain to delight. Read Mandy's full review over on <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/05/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-sparro-b-30-arv-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Living Peacefully With Children</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.giveaways.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-stubby-pencil-studio-75-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="crayon rocks_bags2web" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33976" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/crayon-rocks_bags2web-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com/Header_Footer_XHTML/Home_new.html" target="_blank">Stubby Pencil Studio</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com/Header_Footer_XHTML/Home_new.html" target="_blank">Stubby Pencil Studio</a> is a wonderful online shop for families of small children. It is Marybeth of <a href="http://www.giveaways.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-stubby-pencil-studio-75-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv.html" target="_blank">Natural Mom Reviews'</a> go-to shop for any birthday (they have everything you need from inexpensive lovely gifts to eco-friendly party supplies), stocking stuffers, tooth fairy treasures, and more! Stubby Pencil Studio has a carefully curated selection of wonderful products to stimulate any child's imagination, including games, books, puzzles, and of course, art supplies. One lucky reader will win $75 worth of awesome art supplies & toys from Stubby Pencil Studio for their family, including these awesome Crayon Rocks!<br />
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<a href="http://www.veryveryfine.com/imported-20101215221410/2013/11/2/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-umi-slings-126.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Umi Ring Sling" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33923" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/42e81458-73d5-43a3-9036-db4347dab266_zps835de365-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.umisling.com/" target="_blank">Umi Sling</a></h4>
From Stefanie of <a href="http://www.veryveryfine.com/imported-20101215221410/2013/11/2/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-umi-slings-126.html" target="_blank">Very Very Fine</a> comes our review of the awesome <a href="http://www.umisling.com/" target="_blank">Umi Ring Sling</a>. This sling is an organic and handwoven cotton ring sling perfect for wearing your babies. Each ring sling is a collaboration between Project Baby Bilum and Umi Sling that is a catalyst for change, giving women the tools they need in impoverished parts of the world to improve the health of their babies by providing access to their mothers and to the life-giving breast milk that they need to survive. Each Ring Sling is a well-made, durable, single-layer ring sling sold at an affordable price and made with the highest quality fabrics. When customers purchase an Umi Sling, Boho Mama sews another one and they are all shipped to the women in Bamio and the surrounding areas.<br />
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<a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/05/giveaway-totter-tower/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Totter Tower" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33924" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/21777_zoom1-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/" target="_blank">UncommonGoods: The Totter Tower</a></h4>
If your child is tired of the same old wooden blocks, the <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/totter-tower" target="_blank">Totter Tower</a> will be sure to re-pique her interest. These uniquely angled cylinders are made of bamboo, and their flocked edges will make building incredible structures possible - the lining keeps the blocks from sliding around. Designed for children ages 3+ (but sturdy enough for my toddler!), your child will have endless hours of fun building everything from towers to arches and more. Read more from Dionna of <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/05/giveaway-totter-tower/" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/04/giveaway-ogobild-hub/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Ogobild Hub 1" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33925" height="286" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Ogobild-Hub-1-300x286.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/" target="_blank">UncommonGoods: The OgoBild Hub</a></h4>
Do you have a budding inventor? The <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/ogobild-hub" target="_blank">OgoBild Hub</a>, only $20 from UncommonGoods.com, will spark your child's imagination for hours on end. Manipulate the flexible and interchangeable pieces to create creatures, robots, vehicles, and other crazy contraptions. Read more from our reviewer Dionna of <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2013/11/04/giveaway-ogobild-hub/" target="_blank">Code Name: Mama</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/second-annual-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-woolino-pajamas-.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Woolino Pajamas" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33926" height="272" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/41qpW4oPO+L._SS272_.jpg" width="272" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.woolino.com/" target="_blank">Woolino</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.woolino.com/Bodysuits-and-Pajamas-All/b/6121731011" target="_blank">Woolino Pajamas</a> are beautiful merino wool and silk blend pajamas for your little ones. These pajamas are smooth and lightweight to touch, breathable, warm in the winter, and cooling in the summer. Marybeth of <a href="http://www.naturalmomreviews.com/2013/11/second-annual-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-woolino-pajamas-.html" target="_blank">Natural Mom Reviews</a> lives in snowy Colorado and has tried out these beautiful pajamas with her 5 year old. Since it's already snowed there a few times already this winter, and her little one won't keep her blankets on (ever), snuggly pajamas are a wonderful gift. These pajamas are so soft they feel like cuddling with a lovey, and in addition to being great pajamas, they make a wonderful layer beneath her snow pants & coat for extra warmth.<br />
<blockquote>
NPN readers can use coupon code NATURALP for <strong>10% off a whole order</strong> through December 6.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/yumearthorganics.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Yum Earth" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33927" height="199" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Fruit_Snacks_-_06_-_Walgreens_Items-300x199.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://yummyearth.com/" target="_blank">YumEarth</a></h4>
<a href="http://yummyearth.com/" target="_blank">YumEarth</a> is an organic candy company, born out of the creators' desire to “feed our families a diet rich in delicious healthful foods free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes. YumEarth tastes better because we choose real fruit extracts and planet friendly ingredients grown on sustainable family farms to sweeten our lives and yours.” Enter to win a great prize pack of organic, natural and allergy-friendly lollipops, sour beans, sour worms and gummy bears in this review from Laura of <a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/yumearthorganics.html" target="_blank">Walden Mommy!</a><br />
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Perfect For Families</h2>
<a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/doortodoorkc.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="iStock_000000445688XSmall" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33929" height="212" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/iStock_000000445688XSmall-300x212.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://kc.doortodoororganics.com/shop-good-food" target="_blank">Door to Door Organics of Kansas City</a></h4>
<a href="https://kc.doortodoororganics.com/shop-good-food" target="_blank">Door to Door Organics of KC</a> delivers local, organic produce (and more!) directly to your door step. Their customizable produce boxes make eating fresh, healthy foods easy and affordable. The on-line store allows you to shop for all your food needs in one spot and it is easy to find GMO, Kosher, organic, local, and/or grown in the USA products- all without the hassle of the grocery store! Enter to win a $50 credit towards anything in their shop! Read Laura's full review over at <a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/doortodoorkc.html" target="_blank">Walden Mommy</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://theyareallofme.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="For My Children" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33930" height="279" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Unknown.jpeg" width="180" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Children-Mothers-Journal-Memories/dp/1612430619/?_encoding=UTF8&s=books&tag=natuparenetw-20&linkCode=ur2&qid=1328047460&camp=1789&sr=1-1&creative=9325" target="_blank">For My Children: A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom</a></h4>
As a mother to four, I have many years of memories of my children. When we are so immersed in our day to day, we don't often have time to sit down and recount the little and big events that make up our lives, but that our children and future generations will cherish deeply. <em>For My Children: A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom</em> is a truly wonderful gift. It is the gift of a mother giving her thoughts and feelings and her total self to her children in a way that is far more intimate than many of us tend to express. Read more about the journal from Destany at <a href="http://theyareallofme.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide.html" target="_blank">They Are All of Me</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-kidecals.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Kidecals" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33931" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/LeavesCanningFeaturedImage-400x400-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a></h4>
Have something you love enough to put your name on it? Does your computer need brightening up? Maybe even a wall? Time to check out <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a>! Their fashionable decals are just the thing. The name labels stick to anything, including clothing, and are waterproof and washing machine safe. The canning labels are dishwasher safe. And the wall decals are re-positionable. Jennifer at <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-kidecals.html" target="_blank">True Confessions of Real Mommy</a> of shares the personalized canning labels she used to adorn her homemade goodies for easy gift giving!<br />
<blockquote>
Use code<strong> teamawesome </strong>at checkout for<br />
10% off your entire order at Kidecals!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-libre-large-tea-glass-33-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Libre Tea" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33977" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/924ff1997eccca111e5e4dc5bb546fcd_medium-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://shopusd.libretea.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=7e13cf2d2534193cf5690e13f4e345fc&go=" target="_blank">Libre Tea</a></h4>
<a href="http://shopusd.libretea.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=7e13cf2d2534193cf5690e13f4e345fc&go=" target="_blank">Libre Tea</a> is inspiring tea moments everywhere with their lovely tea glasses. Now you can enjoy hot loose leaf tea wherever you go. The Libre tea glasses are not only very practical, made with glass on the inside and durable poly on the outside, but also beautiful to look at. People always take notice of this unique tea glass as your brewed leaves float and create an elegant view in the glass. Choose from the original size, large size or handy mug. Give the tea drinker on your holiday shopping list a truly unique gift with the Libre Tea Glass. Read the full review over on <a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-libre-large-tea-glass-33-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">A Little Bit Of All Of It</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/2013/11/01/lucy-locket-creations-review-yoga-bag/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="lucylocket" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33978" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/lucylocket-199x300.jpg" width="199" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lucylocketcreations">Lucy Locket Creations</a></h4>
From our reviewer Lyndsay of <a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/2013/10/01/lucy-locket-creations-review-yoga-bag/">ourfeministplayschool</a>, a review of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lucylocketcreations">Lucy Locket Creations</a>' Yoga Bag: Lucy Locket Creations makes stunning textiles for your home and life. The yoga bag is a colorful testament to the great fabric items to be found in the Lucy Locket Creations Etsy shop. The attention to detail and sturdy nature makes this bag a yoga essential. But don't think for a second that you are limited to yoga gear, Lucy Locket Creations is bursting with quilts, totes, throws and pillows you will love! Read <a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/2013/11/01/lucy-locket-creations-review-yoga-bag/" target="_blank">Lyndsay's full review</a>.<br />
<blockquote>
Use code <strong>Holiday2013 </strong>for 10% off your order<br />
from now until December 20.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-mightynest-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="amalfi-mug.jpg" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33979" height="270" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/amalfi-mug.jpg.png" width="270" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://mightynest.com/" target="_blank">Mighty Nest</a></h4>
<a href="http://mightynest.com/" target="_blank">Mighty Nest</a> is an awesome eco-conscious company where all products are free of lead, BPA, PVC, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, melamine, chemical flame retardants and more. They choose products made of stable non-leaching materials such as glass, food grade stainless steel, silicone, natural wood and bamboo, organic cotton and natural rubber. Our reviewer Kellie of <a href="http://www.ourmindfullife.com/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-mightynest-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Our Mindful Life</a> reviews the Amalfie Mug and the Jardin silicone coasters that are perfect for your family!<br />
<blockquote>
Use code <strong>NPN10</strong> from Nov 24-Dec 7 for 10% off your entire order (excludes mattresses & air filter systems).</blockquote>
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<a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-natural-herbal-living-magazine-and-rose-herb-box-44-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="herb-box" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33980" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/herb-box-269x300.jpg" width="269" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.naturalherballiving.com/" target="_blank">Natural Herbal Living Magazine</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.naturalherballiving.com/" target="_blank">Natural Herbal Living Magazine</a> is a fantastic way to learn about herbs and all of their amazing properties. With the addition of the Herb Box, you can go in depth and have all of the ingredients to make several recipes from the magazine for the herb of the month. Focusing on one herb a month, the magazine will allow you to really hone in and focus for a month on just that herb and develop a relationship with it via the Herb Box. Build up your natural medicine cabinet with the herbs right for you and your family by learning what works and what doesn't! Read Julia's full review over on <a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-natural-herbal-living-magazine-and-rose-herb-box-44-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">A Little Bit Of All Of It</a>!<br />
<blockquote>
Use code <strong>NPN2013 </strong>for 10% off your first order!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/?p=4396" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="No Junque" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33981" height="166" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/0.jpeg" width="140" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.nojunqueliving.com/no-junque-skincare/" target="_blank">No Junque Skincare</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.nojunqueliving.com/no-junque-skincare/" target="_blank">No Junque Skincare</a> has created a nourishing, long lasting body lotion that is truly a luxurious, all natural treat for the skin. It is gluten free, GAPS friendly, not tested on animals, and only created with ingredients found in nature. The lotions are not greasy, fast absorbing, and smell delicious! No Junque Skincare has easily become one of my favorite whole body lotions. You can read Jennifer of Hybrid Rasta Mama's <a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/?p=4396" target="_blank">full review</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/paisleyplacestitching.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="paisley place" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34022" height="230" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/paisley.jpg" width="208" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaisleyPlaceStitching?ref=stream" target="_blank">Paisley Place </a></h4>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaisleyPlaceStitching?ref=stream" target="_blank">Paisley Place </a>is a growing Facebook business that creates adorable, custom clothing items for your every need. Visit Paisley Place for personalized bags, outfits for the whole family,snap mats and more. Enter to win a soft chevron infinity scarf, personalized with your initials. Our reviewer Laura enjoyed trying out her lovely orange chevron monogrammed scarf in the recently chilly fall weather! Read the <a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/paisleyplacestitching.html" target="_blank">full review at Walden Mommy</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/04/skoy-cloths/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Paperless Kitchen" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33982" height="231" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/16_skoy_new_large-300x231.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.paperlesskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Paperless Kitchen</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.paperlesskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Paperless Kitchen</a> was founded as a way to help those families looking for ways to go green and lower their environmental impact, while providing a healthier lifestyle. Small changes can help save the world. You can make a small change yourself by switching out your paper towels for reusable clothes. One eco-friendly skoy cloth is the equivalent of 15 rolls of traditional paper towels! If you are looking to make other environmental changes or are just looking for some fun gifts that won't hurt the planet (or your family), check out Paperless Kitchen, a company that cares - about the environment and their customers. Read Mandy's review over on <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/04/skoy-cloths/" target="_blank">Living Peacefully With Children</a>!<br />
<blockquote>
Use coupon <strong>NPN10 </strong>for 10% off your order at Paperless Kitchen!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/01/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-pixie-glassworks-25-arv-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Pixie Glassworks" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33983" height="166" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/0-2.jpeg" width="166" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://pixie-glassworks.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Pixie Glassworks</a></h4>
You will find only true artisanship at Pixie Glassworks. These hand-blown glass pendants are not only beautiful to look at, but they hide a secret. They hold all natural essential oils inside, slowly diffusing the oil as you wear it around your neck. Choose an essential oil which works for you and bask in the scent of these gorgeous aromatherapy pendants.<br />
<blockquote>
NPN readers can use code <strong>Pixie$5off</strong> for $5.00 off their order through December 13. <em>Offer only valid outside the US</em>.</blockquote>
Read more about the fantastic essential oil pendants from <a href="http://pixie-glassworks.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">Pixie Glassworks</a> from Mandy of <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/01/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-pixie-glassworks-25-arv-126-24-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">Living Peacefully with Children</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-prana-sydney-sweater-dress-85-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Prana" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33984" height="280" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/W3SYDN311_BLACK_ALT_1-300x280.png" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.prana.com/" target="_blank">prAna</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.prana.com/" target="_blank">prAna</a> started back in 1992 with clothing that worked well for climbing and yoga. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, prAna has a full line of activewear and outdoor wear that you'll love. But their clothing doesn't stop there! From casual wear to <a href="http://www.prana.com/women/clothing/dresses-skirts.html" target="_blank">dresses and skirts</a>, you're bound to find something that fits your lifestyle. It's easy to find <a href="http://www.prana.com/women/collections/fair-trade.html" target="_blank">Fair Trade Certified clothing</a>, too, which is great. Their line of <a href="http://www.prana.com/catalogsearch/result/?origin=store&x=0&y=0&q=%22sweater+dress%22" target="_blank">sweater dresses</a> is perfect for the cooler months and perfect for gift giving! Worn on their own or paired with boots and leggings, it's a great way to stay warm in style. prAna's clothing would be perfect for anyone on your gift giving list. Read Julia's full review over on <a href="http://naturallifemom.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-prana-sydney-sweater-dress-85-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26/" target="_blank">A Little Bit of All of It</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-and-giveaway-radiantly-you/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Radiantly You" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33985" height="210" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DSWFW-new.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.radiantlyyou.com/" target="_blank">Radiantly You</a></h4>
Our reviewer Laura of <a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-and-giveaway-radiantly-you/" target="_blank">Pug in The Kitchen</a> reviews <a href="http://www.radiantlyyou.com/" target="_blank">Radiantly You's</a> Dead Sea Mud Whipped Face Wash, Vanilla Mint Lip Balm and luxurious Vanilla and Lavender Bud Sugar Scrub. Radiantly You uses only raw and unrefined products, which means they have never been bleached, added to or stripped of their natural vitamins and nutrients. Their organic ingredients are sourced from reputable, certified organic vendors and they take great care in making sure our ingredients are both ethically traded and sustainably harvested. If you're one of the many individuals suffering from eczema or a gluten allergy, these products are free from any additives and beneficial for your skin.<br />
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<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/reins-seasoning.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Redmond seasoning" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-34024" height="255" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/reins-seasoning-300x255.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Trading</a></h4>
You diligently decide on meal. Make the effort to get to the store, get it home, prep and cook. So, why use any old table salt in it? Time to give Redmond Trading's <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/product/gifts-specials/organic-seasoning-gift-box/" target="_blank">Organic Seasoning set</a> a chance to bring out the natural deliciousness in your food, and find out how they add a new dimension to your food. Jennifer at <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-redmond-clay.html" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a> put them to the test, find out what her family thought.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amywilla.com/2013/11/npn-holiday-gift-guide-reviewgiveaway-of-redmond-clay-bath-salt-and-facial-mud-arv-16/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="facialmud-500x500" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33990" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/facialmud-500x500-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.redmondclay.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Clay </a></h4>
<a href="http://www.redmondclay.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Clay </a>Bath Salts & Facial Mud set are an awesome addition to your beauty routine. Redmond Clay is a completely natural bentonite clay, extracted from the earth and brought to you in its pure, natural state. Not only are these products made with the highest quality ingredients available, they are also healing for your skin. Read about Amy's experience on <a href="http://www.amywilla.com/2013/11/npn-holiday-gift-guide-reviewgiveaway-of-redmond-clay-bath-salt-and-facial-mud-arv-16/" target="_blank">Me, Mothering, and Making it All Work.</a><br />
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<a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/2013/10/14/riverview-naturals-review/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Riverview Naturals" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33991" height="199" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Riverview-Naturals-300x199.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://riverviewnaturals.com/" target="_blank">Riverview Naturals</a></h4>
From Lyndsay of <a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/2013/10/14/riverview-naturals-review/" target="_blank">ourfeministplayschool</a> comes a review of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.riverviewnaturals.com" target="_blank">Riverview Naturals</a> skin care products: All items made by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4371077094058658199">Riverview Naturals</a> have a shelf life because they contain absolutely 100% all-natural ingredients. With enchanting hints of vanilla and lavender, these products are nourishing to the skin and the soul. Made by a mother with a passion for ecology, and a sense for what our bodies really need, these products are a welcomed addition to any skincare regime.<br />
<blockquote>
And just for our readers, enter code <strong>NPNHGG13</strong> for 10% off any purchase between now and December 15.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://veryveryfine.squarespace.com/imported-20101215221410/2013/11/2/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-smart-mom-jewe.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="SmartMomJewelry" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33915" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jade_Ring_Pendant-300x300-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/shop/" target="_blank">Smart Mom Jewelry</a></h4>
From Stefanie of <a href="http://veryveryfine.squarespace.com/imported-20101215221410/2013/11/2/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-smart-mom-jewe.html" target="_blank">Very, Very Fine</a>, <a href="http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/shop/" target="_blank">Smart Mom Jewelry</a> is a unique company that offers stylish, fun, and pretty jewelry for mom that is perfect for teething babes. Not only will you love this jewelry, your teething or nursing little one will too! Their whole line is safe for teething and makes a great nursing necklace if you have a "twiddler." These would be wonderful keepsake pieces to hold on to after your little ones grow up, as well.<br />
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<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/03/strawesome/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Strawesome" class="alignright wp-image-33914" height="210" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/P5161170-300x300.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.strawesome.com/" target="_blank">Strawesome</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.strawesome.com/" target="_blank">Strawesome</a> is a family owned company dedicated to helping customers go green. All of their reusable glass straws are handmade right in their Michigan shop and include a lifetime guarantee! From plain to colorful to funky and in a range of sizes, Strawesome has glass straws to meet your needs. Switch to environmentally friendly and toxin free glass straws and stop throwing your money into the landfill. Read more about Strawesome from Mandy on <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/11/03/strawesome/" target="_blank">Living Peacefully With Children</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theartfulmama.com/2013/11/terramor" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="npnpblogcollage" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33913" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/npnpblogcollage-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/terramor" target="_blank">Terramor Jewelry </a></h4>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/terramor" target="_blank">Terramor Jewelry </a>is a lovely company that creates one of a kind jewelry pieces that are both ethical and gorgeous. This jewelry is handmade in Ireland with a mixture of twisted silver work and beautiful beads such as garnet, pearls, and carnelian. Each piece is a one of a kind piece of art and you will love them so much you'll want to wear it all the time! Shannon of <a href="http://www.theartfulmama.com/2013/11/terramor" target="_blank">The Artful Mama</a> shares her experience with us.<br />
<blockquote>
Just for NPN readers, use code <strong>NPN10</strong> for 10% off Etsy purchases!</blockquote>
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<a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/knitmittstexture.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="KnitMitts" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-33912" height="300" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/black_navy_grande-273x300.jpg" width="273" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.textureclothing.com/" target="_blank">Texture Clothing</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.textureclothing.com/" target="_blank">Texture Clothing</a> is clothing with a conscience! Made in the US from under- represented fabrics, like hemp and soy, these high quality clothing items are made with curvy women in mind. Functional, flattering and fabulous, their clothes are worth the spurge. Enter to win a pair of Knit Mitts to keep your hands toasty warm and fashionable this winter! Read the full review from Laura over on <a href="http://waldenmommyandfamily.blogspot.com/2013/11/knitmittstexture.html" target="_blank">Walden Mommy</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-vintage-tradition-tallow-skin-lotion-pack-59-99-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26.html" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="tallow-balm-vintage-tradition-rugged-cliff" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33911" height="226" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tallow-balm-vintage-tradition-rugged-cliff.jpg" width="270" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.vintagetradition.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Tradition Body Balm</a></h4>
<a href="http://www.vintagetradition.com/" target="_blank">Vintage Tradition Body Balm</a> is deeply nourishing, whole body care for face, lips, hands, feet, and everything in between. It can be used for all manner of skin conditions including dry, chapped, calloused, cracked, and sun-damaged skin, rashes, burning, itching, wrinkles, and more! This whole food for skin is how people cared for their skin before chemicals. The body balms are light, penetrate quickly, and have a very light scent from the essential oils! The tiniest amount goes a long way, making these very economical as well. You can read <a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-holiday-gift-guide-giveaway-vintage-tradition-tallow-skin-lotion-pack-59-99-arv-126-26-winners-us-only-arv-2587-26.html" target="_blank">the full review from Jennifer of Hybrid Rasta Mama</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-gift-guide-and-review-willow-tree-minerals/" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Makeup Front" class="alignright size-full wp-image-33910" height="172" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Makeup-Front1.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.willowtreeminerals.com/" target="_blank">Willow Tree Minerals</a></h4>
Laura at <a href="http://www.puginthekitchen.com/2013/11/second-annual-npn-gift-guide-and-review-willow-tree-minerals/" target="_blank">Pug In The Kitchen </a>brings us her review of the lovely skincare products found at <a href="http://www.willowtreeminerals.com/" target="_blank">Willow Tree Minerals.</a> These products are beautiful, all natural makeup from a company that is family owned. The integrity of our Willow Tree Minerals' ingredients far surpasses any other organic or natural line on the market- not only are they extremely luxurious but affordable as well. These products never contain preservatives, chemicals, dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, or other toxins. This is makeup you can feel as good about inside for using as you will wearing it.<br />
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</div>
_____________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Enter to win in one of our six Rafflecopter widgets!<br />
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Contest closes December 6<br />
at 11:59 p.m. <a href="http://www.laurenwayne.com/2010/04/convert-your-time-zone-for-deadlines.html">Eastern Time</a>.</h3>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><strong>Disclosure:</strong> Reviewers received sample products for review purposes,<br />
and consideration was given to NPN for hosting the giveaway.<br />
Amazon and other links may be affiliate links.<br />
We try to seek out only products we think you would find relevant and useful<br />
to your life as a natural parent. If we don't like a product, we won't be<br />
recommending it to you. See our <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/disclosure/" target="_blank">full disclosure policy here.</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-51587258315706059172013-11-05T21:13:00.000-08:002013-12-08T19:48:53.909-08:00Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway (Pomegranate Kids $28) (12/6, 26 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg"><img alt="Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway (12/6, 24 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34033" height="250" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>This review is part of the <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Second Annual Natural Parents Network Holiday Gift</a> </b>Guide!<br />
If you need to complete your holiday shopping, find a birthday present for a friend, or just treat yourself to something special, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone. But what's even better, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide is a great opportunity to shop consciously and to support many naturally<br />
minded small businesses.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The 55 companies that have provided items for review and giveaway are almost exclusively made up of work-at-home shops or companies that are dedicated to supporting eco-conscious choices.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong> I'm featuring one of those companies in my review below. When you get done reading my review, please click on over to the full <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/%22%3ESecond%20Annual%20Natural%20Parents%20Network%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide%3C/a%3E,%20where%20you'll%20%3Cbr%20/%3Efind%20information%20on%2058%20products.%20In%20total,%20we're%20giving%20away%20goodies%20worth%20more%20than%20%3Cbr%20/%3E$2500!%20%3Cbr%20/%3EEven%20if%20you%20don't%20win%20one%20of%20our%20fabulous%20prize%20packages,%20please%20consider%20%3Cbr%20/%3Espending%20part%20of%20your%20gift-giving%20budget%20at%20one%20of%20these%20small%20businesses.%20%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cstrong%3EBy%20supporting%20small%20businesses,%20you%20are%20helping%20families,%20boosting%20local%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eeconomies,%20and%20supporting%20ethical%20practices%20of%20manufacturing,%20production%20and%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eselling.%20%3C/strong%3ETake%20advantage%20of%20coupon%20codes%20provided%20by%20many%20of%20the%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ecompanies,%20you%20can%20find%20them%20at%20the%20full%20Gift%20Guide%20at%20NPN.%20To%20make%20browsing%20easier,%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ewe've%20split%20the%20Gift%20Guide%20into%20sections%20with%20products%20that%20are%20%3Ca%20href=" http:="" na="" nd-holiday-gift-guide="" perfectkids="" turalparentsnetwork.com="">Perfect for Kids</a> and <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#perfectfamilies">Perfect for Families</a>. And you can find <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#2ndannualrc">all 6 Rafflecopter widgets</a> there, too.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Without further ado, here is my review - thank you for reading and entering!<br />
<br />
This is a Joint Review and Giveaway of the Canning Labels from <a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/index.html" target="_blank">Pomegranate</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/index.html" target="_blank"> Kids</a> </span>between <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Natural Parents Network</a> and <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pomegranate.stores.yahoo.net/po.html" target="_blank">Pomegranate Kids</a> is sharing from their series of Charley Harper Nature Discovery Books with us! Drawing from Charley Harper's <i>Birdicopia</i> comes a wonderful book and sticker set introduces children to the artist's interpretation of things in nature along a walk through <i>What's in the Woods</i>, identifying plants and animals along the way.<br />
<br />
<review p="" template.=""></review>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<review p="" template.=""></review><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yIItiYXCM7RkUtS7GLhWeV7bTFC8DyYE3koh4F_UArjorlo0JbcRF8j1nIBM8CfdQVzjb8oiqqEQ_4hYCt3ZWZK3jO2Qx-zj0-fBKsrlyOKM7uFPiT8HpHrELU31CFmrtKhLrn-PS9Cr/s1600/birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yIItiYXCM7RkUtS7GLhWeV7bTFC8DyYE3koh4F_UArjorlo0JbcRF8j1nIBM8CfdQVzjb8oiqqEQ_4hYCt3ZWZK3jO2Qx-zj0-fBKsrlyOKM7uFPiT8HpHrELU31CFmrtKhLrn-PS9Cr/s200/birds.jpg" width="149" /></a>When I took on this review, I was thinking I would get to check out a cute book, with some neat artwork, that maybe L2 (4yo) and L3 (almost 2yo) would enjoy. My eldest, L1 (6yo) is a little budding ornithologist and gets frustrated when books have birds without telling you what kinds they are. I was in luck. Not only does <i>What's in the Woods </i>have a wonderful light rhyme scheme and gorgeous art to capture my younger children, but they actually call the creatures by their names. With Charley Harper's highly stylized, yet minimalist interpretation of the most identifying features of each animal is wonderful for young children (and adults) developing an eye for recognizing species.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ1OFxmOWM_YqC5JAtMGRfyoF3i8u66LWogoIsAlI9M23ufE8HmVLwB2ZKKzQvdmRDGzlVs4qapMHiJTDX-C1bAbd98QQsL6txqyJSQARMd62vU0dLMtHjXhX4the9oHldFaO7wbA8MnP/s1600/BirdKidCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ1OFxmOWM_YqC5JAtMGRfyoF3i8u66LWogoIsAlI9M23ufE8HmVLwB2ZKKzQvdmRDGzlVs4qapMHiJTDX-C1bAbd98QQsL6txqyJSQARMd62vU0dLMtHjXhX4the9oHldFaO7wbA8MnP/s320/BirdKidCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The matching sticker book has been a delight for decorating pages and personalizing stationary that L1 has been writing notes to everyone he knows on. Even L3, though she needs help pulling the stickers off the page, loves covering page after page with the brightly colored birds and creatures therein.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Buy it!<br />
<br />
You can purchase your own copy of <i>What's in the Woods, </i>or one of the other intriguing books in the collection on their <a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>. I would love to have <i>What's in the Rainforest </i>for a set, but I also look the look of the <i><a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/a184.html" target="_blank">Hieroglyphs from A to Z: A Rhyming Book with Ancient Egyptian Stencils for Kids</a>. </i>Wandering their website, I can fill a wish list for quite a few gift giving holidays.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<br />
WIN IT!<br />
For your own chance to win Charley Harper’s <i>What’s in the Rainforest </i>AND Birds: Charley Harper Coloring Cards from <a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/index.html" target="_blank">Pomegranate</a><a href="http://www.pomegranate.com/index.html" target="_blank"> Kids</a>, or one of the 26 huge prize packages we're giving away, come back to this post on November 6th when our Rafflecopter widgets will go live for your chance to enter! Or you can visit <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Natural Parents Network</a> on November 6th to see and enter to win all of our fantastic prize packages at once!<br />
<br />
<strong>Disclosure</strong>: Our reviewer received a sample product for review purposes. Amazon links are affiliate links.We try to seek out only products we think you would find relevant and useful to your life as a natural parent. If we don't like a product, we won't be recommending it to you. See our full disclosure policy <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/disclosure/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCydb1IbqprDxxN_1fxOA2s10YNDdDq9BiIBggPUZTzcDm4o2icV3QgGCLP5NXc1saC75qS-OB_f5bfzh-n6iRdTgg1UOYXlDnn8rMrBk_bMuhnY7XMURh_YEo3YMM-CHocdd1rrBn_zs/s1600/BirdBookCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCydb1IbqprDxxN_1fxOA2s10YNDdDq9BiIBggPUZTzcDm4o2icV3QgGCLP5NXc1saC75qS-OB_f5bfzh-n6iRdTgg1UOYXlDnn8rMrBk_bMuhnY7XMURh_YEo3YMM-CHocdd1rrBn_zs/s320/BirdBookCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/66cd03102/" id="rc-66cd03102" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-85544546055836284662013-11-03T16:21:00.000-08:002013-11-03T16:21:46.727-08:00Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide& Giveaway (Kidecals, $28 ARV) (12/6, 26 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg"><img alt="Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway (12/6, 24 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34033" height="250" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>This review is part of the <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Second Annual Natural Parents Network Holiday Gift<br />
Guide</a>!</b><br />
<br />
If you need to complete your holiday shopping, find a birthday present for a friend, or just treat yourself to something special, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone. But what's even better, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide is a great opportunity to shop consciously and to support many naturally<br />
minded small businesses.<br />
<strong><br />
</strong> <strong>The 55 companies that have provided items for review and giveaway are almost exclusively made up of work-at-home shops or companies that are dedicated to supporting eco-conscious choices.</strong><br />
<br />
I'm featuring one of those companies in my review below. When you get done reading my review, please click on over to the full <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/%22%3ESecond%20Annual%20Natural%20Parents%20Network%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide%3C/a%3E,%20where%20you'll%20%3Cbr%20/%3Efind%20information%20on%2058%20products.%20In%20total,%20we're%20giving%20away%20goodies%20worth%20more%20than%20%3Cbr%20/%3E$2500!%20%3Cbr%20/%3EEven%20if%20you%20don't%20win%20one%20of%20our%20fabulous%20prize%20packages,%20please%20consider%20%3Cbr%20/%3Espending%20part%20of%20your%20gift-giving%20budget%20at%20one%20of%20these%20small%20businesses.%20%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cstrong%3EBy%20supporting%20small%20businesses,%20you%20are%20helping%20families,%20boosting%20local%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eeconomies,%20and%20supporting%20ethical%20practices%20of%20manufacturing,%20production%20and%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eselling.%20%3C/strong%3ETake%20advantage%20of%20coupon%20codes%20provided%20by%20many%20of%20the%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ecompanies,%20you%20can%20find%20them%20at%20the%20full%20Gift%20Guide%20at%20NPN.%20To%20make%20browsing%20easier,%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ewe've%20split%20the%20Gift%20Guide%20into%20sections%20with%20products%20that%20are%20%3Ca%20href=" http:="" na="" nd-holiday-gift-guide="" perfectkids="" turalparentsnetwork.com="">Perfect for Kids</a> and <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#perfectfamilies">Perfect for Families</a>. And you can find <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#2ndannualrc">all 6 Rafflecopter widgets</a> there, too.<br />
Without further ado, here is my review - thank you for reading and entering!<br />
<br />
This is a Joint Review and Giveaway of the Canning Labels from <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a> </span>between <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Natural Parents Network</a> and <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7xfQu-taHT6J_nhVjE226bdN7-KcV2MflnyC7kkRFVEEbTtLhwSv_5EqGg3FxQFjYo7bwNDW1psS11mabuU_2i5L3UlHc5RjWDHI_ldoN7Kx3iBrd4qjPrpt2THd6NEbBXFGb-ssIl6k/s1600/kidecalslabel.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7xfQu-taHT6J_nhVjE226bdN7-KcV2MflnyC7kkRFVEEbTtLhwSv_5EqGg3FxQFjYo7bwNDW1psS11mabuU_2i5L3UlHc5RjWDHI_ldoN7Kx3iBrd4qjPrpt2THd6NEbBXFGb-ssIl6k/s200/kidecalslabel.bmp" width="162" /></a></div>
Have something you love enough to put your name on it? Does your computer need brightening up? Maybe even a wall? Time to check out <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidcals</a>! Their fashionable decals are just the thing. The name labels stick to anything, including clothing, and are waterproof and washing machine safe. The canning labels are dishwasher safe. And the wall decals are re-positionable. I had the chance to try out their personalized canning labels!<br />
<review p="" template.=""><br />
Our Experience</review><br />
<review p="" template.=""><br />
</review> <review p="" template.="">The first step is the hardest. Picking and personalizing your labels. Cute options abound! I had a little bit of a hard time with finding the right wording to fit their set space without the ability to change the font size or positioning. After I fiddled a bit, I found just the right number of spaces to fit the wording I wanted. From then out it was easy to place my order, and quick to ship. They stick well to my jars, and look great. I would check your jar choices before ordering, a few styles had too much glasswork design to allow a smooth application. </review><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9395WEVXKhRPJkBFRcLa8PNciMF9PQ0myvfMPpzKUpZ9m3_GmQ477O2_zEH7O4feQ1REY3Xg4zfhHFnyXMNIIeWBV-vEgOMkPHBp_3viUg7iBixlLNpIRopoQ0MyLhyphenhyphen2VW2mBtDWFw15b/s1600/jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9395WEVXKhRPJkBFRcLa8PNciMF9PQ0myvfMPpzKUpZ9m3_GmQ477O2_zEH7O4feQ1REY3Xg4zfhHFnyXMNIIeWBV-vEgOMkPHBp_3viUg7iBixlLNpIRopoQ0MyLhyphenhyphen2VW2mBtDWFw15b/s320/jars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see a little puckering on the bottom of the half pint jar label.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<review p="" template.=""> <br />
I am so excited that my hard work canning can get a quick label, and pretty bow, and I am set for the gift giving season!<br />
<br />
Buy it!<br />
<br />
You can purchase your own Kidecals on their website. With so many great choices for labeling and decorating your are sure to find the right item to help keep track of your personal items, customize birthday parties, or decorate your favorite spaces. I mean, chalkboard labels shaped like mustaches? Who can resist?<br />
</review><br />
<h3>
WIN IT!</h3>
For your own chance to win a $28 voucher from <a href="http://kidecals.com/" target="_blank">Kidecals</a>, or one of the 26 huge prize packages we're giving away, come back to this post on November 6th when our Rafflecopter widgets will go live for your chance to enter! Or you can visit <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Natural Parents Network</a> on November 6th to see and enter to win all of our fantastic prize packages at once!<br />
<br />
<strong>Disclosure</strong>: Our reviewer received a sample product for review purposes. Amazon links are affiliate links.We try to seek out only products we think you would find relevant and useful to your life as a natural parent. If we don't like a product, we won't be recommending it to you. See our full disclosure policy <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/disclosure/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/66cd0395/" id="rc-66cd0395" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP734XwpSACm6rpC0cRQ2Rpkf0yyEVTOWgt1OS96SUB6LRHUTiVQfQjGqiyVnsR-Tk1BOXmK938smEfRVcvj9U3ooT4jb3bkv6RAgpnD1Q3foArY8MboDFylwenaYwnDuW2qWePol9wNL/s1600/JarsCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP734XwpSACm6rpC0cRQ2Rpkf0yyEVTOWgt1OS96SUB6LRHUTiVQfQjGqiyVnsR-Tk1BOXmK938smEfRVcvj9U3ooT4jb3bkv6RAgpnD1Q3foArY8MboDFylwenaYwnDuW2qWePol9wNL/s320/JarsCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-46412762717045960072013-11-02T16:12:00.000-07:002013-11-02T21:39:55.938-07:00Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide& Giveaway (Redmond Clay $19.99) (12/6, 26 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg"><img alt="Second Annual NPN Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway (12/6, 24 winners, US only ARV $2587.26)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34033" height="250" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2nd-NPN-Gift-Guide1.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<b>This review is part of the <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Second Annual Natural Parents Network Holiday Gift<br />
Guide</a>!</b><br />
<br />
If you need to complete your holiday shopping, find a birthday present for a friend, or just treat yourself to something special, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone. But what's even better, the NPN Holiday Gift Guide is a great opportunity to shop consciously and to support many naturally<br />
minded small businesses.<br />
<strong><br />
</strong> <strong>The 55 companies that have provided items for review and giveaway are almost exclusively made up of work-at-home shops or companies that are dedicated to supporting eco-conscious choices.</strong><br />
<br />
I'm featuring one of those companies in my review below. When you get done reading my review, please click on over to the full <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/%22%3ESecond%20Annual%20Natural%20Parents%20Network%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide%3C/a%3E,%20where%20you'll%20%3Cbr%20/%3Efind%20information%20on%2058%20products.%20In%20total,%20we're%20giving%20away%20goodies%20worth%20more%20than%20%3Cbr%20/%3E$2500!%20%3Cbr%20/%3EEven%20if%20you%20don't%20win%20one%20of%20our%20fabulous%20prize%20packages,%20please%20consider%20%3Cbr%20/%3Espending%20part%20of%20your%20gift-giving%20budget%20at%20one%20of%20these%20small%20businesses.%20%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cstrong%3EBy%20supporting%20small%20businesses,%20you%20are%20helping%20families,%20boosting%20local%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eeconomies,%20and%20supporting%20ethical%20practices%20of%20manufacturing,%20production%20and%20%3Cbr%20/%3Eselling.%20%3C/strong%3ETake%20advantage%20of%20coupon%20codes%20provided%20by%20many%20of%20the%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ecompanies,%20you%20can%20find%20them%20at%20the%20full%20Gift%20Guide%20at%20NPN.%20To%20make%20browsing%20easier,%20%3Cbr%20/%3Ewe've%20split%20the%20Gift%20Guide%20into%20sections%20with%20products%20that%20are%20%3Ca%20href=" http:="" na="" nd-holiday-gift-guide="" perfectkids="" turalparentsnetwork.com="">Perfect for Kids</a> and <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#perfectfamilies">Perfect for Families</a>. And you can find <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/#2ndannualrc">all 6 Rafflecopter widgets</a> there, too.<br />
Without further ado, here is my review - thank you for reading and entering!<br />
<br />
This is a Joint Review and Giveaway of a Real Salt Organic Gift Set from <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Trading</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>between <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Natural Parents Network</a> and <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You diligently decide on meal. Make the effort to get to the store, get it home, prep and cook. So, why use any old table salt in it? Time to give <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/" target="_blank">Redmond Trading</a>'s <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/product/gifts-specials/organic-seasoning-gift-box/" target="_blank">Organic Seasoning</a> set a chance to bring out the natural deliciousness in your food, and find out how they add a new dimension to your food. Jennifer at <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a> put them to the test, find out what her family thought.</span><br />
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<h2>
<review p="" template.="">
Our Experience</review></h2>
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<review p="" template.="">Here's the thing. I do a lot of cooking. My husband is a chef. I rarely use salt in flavoring foods, and we NEVER buy seasoning or other flavored salts. They all seem to just taste stale and overpowering the flavors we so carefully put together. Not any more. This set is delicious. No dusty, stale flavor. The garlic and onion versions are superbly balanced to add dimension to the food without taking control. The seasoning salt is my new go to for fries, meat, and even a little zing on cottage cheese. </review><br />
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<review p="" template.="">This is where I would tell you any concerns or not-so-great parts of the review go. I have none. These are delicious. They are easy to use. My awesome skillz in the kitchen are only made better by using these over the other versions we have tried.</review><br />
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<h2>
<review p="" template.=""><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
Buy it!</b></span></review></h2>
<review p="" template.="">
You can purchase your own Real Salt Organic Seasoning Set on their <a href="http://www.redmondtrading.com/product/gifts-specials/organic-seasoning-gift-box/" target="_blank">website</a>. Go ahead and take a look at their other categories to find all natural toothpaste, bath salts, and more!<br />
</review><br />
<h3>
WIN IT!</h3>
For your own chance to win a Real Salt Organic Seasoning Gift Set (value $19.99), or one of the 26 huge prize packages we're giving away, come back to this post on November 6th when our Rafflecopter widgets will go live for your chance to enter! Or you can visit <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/2nd-holiday-gift-guide/">Natural Parents Network</a> on November 6th to see and enter to win all of our fantastic prize packages at once!<br />
<br />
<strong>Disclosure</strong>: Our reviewer received a sample product for review purposes. Amazon links are affiliate links.We try to seek out only products we think you would find relevant and useful to your life as a natural parent. If we don't like a product, we won't be recommending it to you. See our full disclosure policy <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/disclosure/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/66cd03103/" id="rc-66cd03103" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-29258262165850507052013-06-26T04:00:00.000-07:002013-06-26T04:00:04.195-07:00Wordless Wednesday: June 26th, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some new friends, some adventuring, and a whole lot of rest needed to recover from this week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fALBCdKXjjAPJl97K8whGp4wWBlPVPQkcPqqgk2WTxFTVZlsDcreIH-jv7W-LWYtskh8Lb7GUfGV3lHj3lJgkyr2HMXplNkVQHCmeo_TWqKsQzpDGglQ7BbRV1MF_2hX1U8GP4yaPbD5/s1600/CAM01020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fALBCdKXjjAPJl97K8whGp4wWBlPVPQkcPqqgk2WTxFTVZlsDcreIH-jv7W-LWYtskh8Lb7GUfGV3lHj3lJgkyr2HMXplNkVQHCmeo_TWqKsQzpDGglQ7BbRV1MF_2hX1U8GP4yaPbD5/s320/CAM01020.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-42537196197561444182013-06-24T00:14:00.001-07:002014-01-06T15:09:03.745-08:00Meal Plan Monday: June 24th, 2013<br />
Breakfast for Dinner<br />
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<a href="http://www.shugarysweets.com/2013/06/greek-chicken-skewers-with-avocado-tzatziki" target="_blank">Greek Chicken Skewers with Avocado Tzatziki</a><br />
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French Dip with Tater Tots (my oldest son's favorite right now.)<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/06/meal-plan.html" target="_blank">Enchilada Casserole</a><br />
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Spring Rolls with Garlic Snap Peas<br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/meal-plan-monday-july-9th-2012.html" target="_blank">Mediterranean Chickpea Salad</a><br />
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Oh, do I have something delicious for you today. I don't even like the foods involved and I think this is one amazing dish. And an easy new cheese recipe as well!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stuffed Mini Bell Pepper with Marinara Sauce </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1013423_10201461059267700_979695345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1013423_10201461059267700_979695345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> Ricotta<br />
Mini Bell Peppers, stems cut and seeds cleared out<br />
Jar of Marinara (Hey, we made ricotta, its fair to use a premade jar sauce)<br />
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Fill a pastry bag with a large tip and your ricotta. Use to fill peppers with the cheese. Pour sauce into shallow dish, place peppers on top. Bake in 350 degree oven until hot and bubbly. Serve with pasta.<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrms5TAB0wjBm9sm2wZk3by7dhbe23ufoIdG5D5fRc1U9l3dcCTB1nD3UCCM75rMNeVd4uXEFsUmIqtiYyqhav2YzMQGVp1_8NT-kIcGcbVmBPKkQOFyLVOZf6arcgSKaT2kuZFQdEzkv/s1600/ricotta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrms5TAB0wjBm9sm2wZk3by7dhbe23ufoIdG5D5fRc1U9l3dcCTB1nD3UCCM75rMNeVd4uXEFsUmIqtiYyqhav2YzMQGVp1_8NT-kIcGcbVmBPKkQOFyLVOZf6arcgSKaT2kuZFQdEzkv/s320/ricotta.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Raw Milk Ricotta<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Makes about 1 ½ cups</span></h3>
<div class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ gallon raw milk (you can use whole, but not ultra-pasteurized)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup white vinegar</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Use a large, heavy (at least 8-quart) stockpot (see "other notes" above). The larger the pot, the less likely the milk will boil over (which is even worse to clean up than a scorched pot).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Without touching the bottom, stir together milk, vinegar and salt. Gently heat milk to 175 degrees, stirring occasionally.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Increase heat to medium-high and, without stirring, let temperature rise to 205 degrees. Watch carefully so that milk does not boil over.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from heat, and let milk sit for 10 minutes and curdle.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Line a strainer with cheesecloth, or a thin dish towel, and place over a large bowl.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If curds are large, use a slotted spoon to transfer curds from pot to strainer. If curds are tiny, pour entire contents through the strainer.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let ricotta drain 5 minutes for a creamy product, or up to 30 minutes for a drier cheese (good for filling for the recipe above).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Drained ricotta will keep two to three days tightly covered in the refrigerator. Ricotta will get drier while stored as the curds absorb more whey.</span></div>
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday" target="_blank" title="TrueRealMommy"><img alt="Meal Plan Monday" height="150" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5ovs-4yDD_w/T7satTG8-cI/AAAAAAAAHhg/T32Ll4RKiE0/s349/Untitled.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://http//trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/search/label/Meal%20Plan%20Monday"></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-7793905640727256242013-06-19T04:00:00.000-07:002013-06-19T04:00:07.816-07:00Wordless Wednesday: June 19th, 2013<br />
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Birthday, Father's Day, town festival, and some gorgeous weather filled out this week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kkNNkGsl_bVefVWxaWp_Im-ttrgLQ58h5iOoeMm3x5yczgPpsA9r3VC0XracmYFza4B9HJ3bwHbHXJMczHpL_6J-Mbcw4be1KJ4CVv94gB-bpOeRr-r481rhx5-AOB1frSGJIbIwz-X1/s1600/CAM00981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kkNNkGsl_bVefVWxaWp_Im-ttrgLQ58h5iOoeMm3x5yczgPpsA9r3VC0XracmYFza4B9HJ3bwHbHXJMczHpL_6J-Mbcw4be1KJ4CVv94gB-bpOeRr-r481rhx5-AOB1frSGJIbIwz-X1/s320/CAM00981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JAjWFiHFyfsodsZliHR99XzaVaWcjotxTKQeMSJ_spbo92tYwoVUtTZvsI7RBBikqfL__3rlzeqKattEKVW-Hx2FHwygBdyf0Cr7pwMnfe_wVput4Z9EU27xp_XJLcgy37-eF_ItwAqR/s1600/CAM00983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JAjWFiHFyfsodsZliHR99XzaVaWcjotxTKQeMSJ_spbo92tYwoVUtTZvsI7RBBikqfL__3rlzeqKattEKVW-Hx2FHwygBdyf0Cr7pwMnfe_wVput4Z9EU27xp_XJLcgy37-eF_ItwAqR/s320/CAM00983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have some new visitors to the yard, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ez2BntW9_216jBptcvf0FAPbn5eY9faZ28yqwfIxe8zeO3-4ZJHv6K1YX9Jvut66d3TINXmD89pqgaUecx0oq6W8IyAv94LXUIfTr1jcB3WQp6-s1oLRbGrJPkuYn3mqM3oSOfSK7bW/s1600/CAM00984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ez2BntW9_216jBptcvf0FAPbn5eY9faZ28yqwfIxe8zeO3-4ZJHv6K1YX9Jvut66d3TINXmD89pqgaUecx0oq6W8IyAv94LXUIfTr1jcB3WQp6-s1oLRbGrJPkuYn3mqM3oSOfSK7bW/s320/CAM00984.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRMW3VIYhrZ6_DFQDS8CtuVB0182c7sKokULHdnGkO7kuYGfygge5bcOjX_eyU0hGHfkGSmtuUjasHwbmCxodxd7zTU_82qCOd81-wtT5JHdboHBxlpXSn2SSQv8x0SdrIKXm3L1YDoZT/s1600/CAM00987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRMW3VIYhrZ6_DFQDS8CtuVB0182c7sKokULHdnGkO7kuYGfygge5bcOjX_eyU0hGHfkGSmtuUjasHwbmCxodxd7zTU_82qCOd81-wtT5JHdboHBxlpXSn2SSQv8x0SdrIKXm3L1YDoZT/s320/CAM00987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New dye!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/7867_10201358202136336_508048218_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/7867_10201358202136336_508048218_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday, to my husband!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgtvkEC9n1DuALSShD74gL-Y_2BNhxyzvVW_SCMsUp_8jd_VOjQRhtpZdethk-2ZuZjc87XjU9WmjJgjuPNj7XlbjTamYCG1ZLKvhVd90GMPj913KCe9rLsD-B6nwvldQWv9Qx3GeSBqO/s1600/CAM00992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgtvkEC9n1DuALSShD74gL-Y_2BNhxyzvVW_SCMsUp_8jd_VOjQRhtpZdethk-2ZuZjc87XjU9WmjJgjuPNj7XlbjTamYCG1ZLKvhVd90GMPj913KCe9rLsD-B6nwvldQWv9Qx3GeSBqO/s320/CAM00992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthxdzCAyL07jArmYVaDUQmA3SxflHuJ34X2DJ0vTppYk06rfvmjC8TNQgnQLEUO0pHA9lYk-HNPsWMY8lcmm9EDs2mqkbv3U9hGcWbkWBuG2FbncoYGNlhxIhoEgXxGX3Qk5PFSVa7RYQ/s1600/CAM00996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthxdzCAyL07jArmYVaDUQmA3SxflHuJ34X2DJ0vTppYk06rfvmjC8TNQgnQLEUO0pHA9lYk-HNPsWMY8lcmm9EDs2mqkbv3U9hGcWbkWBuG2FbncoYGNlhxIhoEgXxGX3Qk5PFSVa7RYQ/s320/CAM00996.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInHCh4sG8edA87LZfGAkTS5GnxfST8BOp0ApaRDx__xUYITpwaj1QSuf9JEG9YPRQo3svEerS3MMRQM54_65BFHZsLeSJugv87XvJ8sLQXsSVIvMyQvuHyZgVjf9kHMG_wLO4lXtYMMlZ/s1600/CAM00997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInHCh4sG8edA87LZfGAkTS5GnxfST8BOp0ApaRDx__xUYITpwaj1QSuf9JEG9YPRQo3svEerS3MMRQM54_65BFHZsLeSJugv87XvJ8sLQXsSVIvMyQvuHyZgVjf9kHMG_wLO4lXtYMMlZ/s320/CAM00997.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoDAnrhcFkLtkwqzOAsVFHWLNrXxKd5J8Ka4eB01p48cOnbT_AyZXPXzaKCMlGSRc8bWe12dF1cGdIjzipx7djWe2akbQRoph2Nd5XE0RmeBNddc-DAncVMeozZT77k5SfaRF5l9KkfZf/s1600/CAM01007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoDAnrhcFkLtkwqzOAsVFHWLNrXxKd5J8Ka4eB01p48cOnbT_AyZXPXzaKCMlGSRc8bWe12dF1cGdIjzipx7djWe2akbQRoph2Nd5XE0RmeBNddc-DAncVMeozZT77k5SfaRF5l9KkfZf/s320/CAM01007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what 10pm in mid June looks like in the Pacific Northwest! Still too light for stars.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-fnPKKaTFpNzx12S2GyEjsAjMx38rgYo0RtDmABc7hU_SIrE6Z7g5JndapmxFOlPpoZgXu796qtgq5hAqx03oB7Z8l9VIJfvyeXcN6g8D6htGlyvg0Zz73R3GKp0FtF9l6wVAXwMX1K/s1600/fathersday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-fnPKKaTFpNzx12S2GyEjsAjMx38rgYo0RtDmABc7hU_SIrE6Z7g5JndapmxFOlPpoZgXu796qtgq5hAqx03oB7Z8l9VIJfvyeXcN6g8D6htGlyvg0Zz73R3GKp0FtF9l6wVAXwMX1K/s320/fathersday2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-57465080445136666912013-06-18T04:00:00.000-07:002013-06-18T04:00:06.020-07:00Embracing the Schedule<start code="" top=""><br />
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Welcome to the June edition of the <strong>Simply Living Blog Carnival</strong> - <strong>Around the House </strong>cohosted by Mandy at <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/">Living Peacefully with Children</a>, Laura at <a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/">Authentic Parenting</a>, Jennifer at<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/blog-carnivals/simply-living-blog-carnival/www.tru%20econfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com"> True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a>, and Joella at <a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/">Fine and Fair</a>. This month, we write about what we do to keep the little things from overwhelming us. Please check out the links to posts by our other participants at the end of this post.<br />
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<end code="" top="">The greatest thing my family ever did to keep up with our housework was our system of <a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/01/5-day.html" target="_blank">5 Things</a>. Not only was it the first "New Year's Resolution" to ever make it out of the month of January, we are now 6 months into it with only a few adjustments needing to be made for our surprisingly nice spring and our drive to start family biking. So, if you haven't read that post, go do read it now. Then come back and I can tell you how we created a system for keeping it up with the rest of our schedule.<br />
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Soon after starting our 5 things, my 3 children came down with the chicken pox. It was a very mild case for them all, and it was a solid month of quarantine, waiting for them all to finish. In that time, I learned I needed to embrace The SCHEDULE.<br />
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My husband and I are not schedule oriented. We like to go with the flow, see what happens, and just enjoy. Turns out, that is harder to do with kids. Even homeschooled ones. The first thing I had to look at is how to display our schedule. Some people prefer the ease of online calandars, so everyone can sync up and know what is going on, wherever they are. Unless you are my husband, who does not want a smartphone, or even one that connects to the internet. So we went to the great, old fashioned wall calendar. A giant one.<br />
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I filled in our recurring events, and found a day for each household chore (aside from daily dishes and laundry). I also arranged things for plenty of open days so it would be easy to move around if we decided to ride, or didn't feel well. You know, Life. Then I used a highlighter to make it easy to differentiate between chores, homeschool group, adult nights, and meetups. I also keep an updated planner to take on the go.<br />
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Then each evening at dinner, we look at the calendar, discuss what our plans are, and write our 5 Things on the refrigerator white board. It is great to include our children in the process, and they really get into participating the planning, making them more apt to help in the execution.<br />
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Who knew something as simple as a giant wall calendar could have such an impact on how our house is run.<start bottom="" code=""><br />
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Thank you for visiting the <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/blog-carnivals/simply-living-blog-carnival/">Simply Living Blog Carnival</a> cohosted by Mandy at <a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/">Living Peacefully with Children</a>, Laura at <a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/">Authentic Parenting</a>, Jennifer at<a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/blog-carnivals/simply-living-blog-carnival/www.tru%20econfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com"> True Confessions of a Real Mommy</a>, and Joella at <a href="http://www.fineandfairblog.com/">Fine and Fair</a>. Read about how others are incorporating simple ideas around their homes. We hope you will join us next month!<br />
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<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2013/06/embracing-schedule.html">Embracing the Schedule</a> - </strong>Jennifer at<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/"><strong> True Confessions of a Real Mommy </strong></a>writes about how her family learned to keep on top of household life by creating a family calendar.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/simple-living/">Simply: Car Free</a></strong> - On the one-year anniversary of selling her car, Lyndsay from <a href="http://www.ourfeministplayschool.ca/"><strong>ourfeministplayschool</strong></a>, reflects on her family's decision to go car-free in urban downtown Toronto.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2013/06/the-importance-of-finding-your-housecleaning-rhythm%20.html"><strong>The Importance of Finding Your Housecleaning Rhythm</strong></a> - Jennifer at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hybridrastamama.com"><strong>Hybrid Rasta Mama</strong> </a>outlines how she keeps her housecleaning under control with a daily rhythm. Even her 4 year old gets in on it!</li>
<li><a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/2013/06/18/keeping-it-simple-at-home/"><strong>Keeping It Simple At Home</strong></a> - At <strong><a href="http://livingpeacefullywithchildren.com/">Living Peacefully with Children</a>, </strong>Mandy shares some tips for keeping the clutter and cleaning at bay.</li>
<li><a href="http://sustainable-mum.blogspot.com/2013/06/cleaning.html"><strong>Cleaning?</strong></a> - In her post, <a href="http://sustainable-mum.blogspot.com/"><strong>sustainablemum</strong></a> outlines how keeping clutter to a minimum makes for an easy life when trying to keep her house clean and tidy.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/2013/06/simply-downstairs.html"><strong>Simply Downstairs</strong></a> - Jorje of <a href="http://www.mommajorje.com/"><strong>Momma Jorje</strong></a> has found a way to simplify laundry AND bedtime... all with one simple move.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">In <b><a href="http://www.authenticparenting.info/2013/06/not-chores-helping-without-coercion.html">Shares, not Chores: Helping your Kids Help You Without Coercion</a></b> Laura from <b>Authentic Parenting</b> tells us how she gets work done with two little kids and without coercion.</li>
</ul>
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<end bottom="" code=""></end>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371077094058658199.post-88679690716009184822013-06-17T12:38:00.000-07:002013-06-17T12:38:02.156-07:00Meal Plan Monday: June 17th, 2013I am kind of dialing it in this week. Summer is here and we are busy trying to be outside as much as we can, so easy-peasy is the name of the game.<br />
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BLTAs (It was such a big hit, the request for it is high!)<br />
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<a href="http://iowagirleats.com/recipes/superfood-salad-with-lemon-vinaigrette/">Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette</a><br />
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<a href="http://trueconfessionsofarealmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/meal-plan-monday-october-31st-2011.html">Macaroni and Cheese</a> with Kielbasa<br />
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Stir Fry<br />
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Bagel Pizzas<br />
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Taco Salad<br />
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<a href="http://www.veggiebelly.com/2010/10/tuscan-kale-chickpea-pasta.html">Tuscan Kale and Chickpea Pasta</a> <br />
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