Journal of a Busy Mom

living one day at a time

My Kids’ Recipe Challenge

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I am challenging my kids to take a recipe from a regular cookbook and make it gluten free. I bought them the Pillsbury Kids Cookbook.  My daughter picked it out. I like that it says recipes for boys and girls so my son can see cooking is for boys too.

They both chose 3 different recipes to try. My son picked: Breakfast Biscuits, Hot Diggity Dog Pizza Boats, and Frozen Brownie Sundae. My daughter picked: S’more Hot Cereal, Italian Beef Dippers, and S’mores Nachos . So our challenge begins next week. I will share the original recipe and our “gluten free version” each Wednesday.

My goal for this recipe challenge is:

  1. I want them to both learn to use what they have and adapt to their needs (celiac disease and diabetes)
  2. I want them to write out a grocery list and go shop for the items on their list
  3. I want them to read a recipe from start to finish and actually do it.
  4. I want them to learn to cook!

The bottom line is I want them to learn to cook. I love using recipes and I don’t hardly every “cook from memory” I am a recipe follower. I want them to learn too. Also, someday my son will be on his own and he needs to know how to cook for himself. My daughter doesn’t enjoy cooking, but I am hoping that allowing her to choose recipes might inspire her.

Early To Rise

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Earlier this month I read a post from Money Saving Mom called the Early to Rise Challenge. She challenged her readers to rise early every day for the month of March. It was April and I missed the daily posts and encouragement, but I was inspired to rise earlier. I was further inspired by an e-book I read 4:00 A.M. A Productivity Argument. This little ebook really encouraged me to make that commitment to rise earlier at least Monday-Friday. I’ve always wanted to be an early riser. I like my quiet time and the ability to get things done before my children get up and my chaos starts. I decided that I would wake up at 5:00 AM. It was madness to consider 4:00 AM.
Today was my second week of waking up at 5:00 AM. It actually hasn’t been that difficult. I think it has to do with the fact that I have a purpose. I am not getting up and just “hanging out”. I have a list:

1. Quiet time- I spend the first 45-1hour with God reading his word, praying, and meditating.

2. Blogging- I spend the next 45 minutes or so writing, thinking, and planning.

3. Computer fun- yes that’s facebook, emails etc

I really wish I would have done this before. On Thursday Money Saving Mom had a new post called Help! I want to get up early but I don’t have any motivation. I would encourage you to read it too if you are wanting to Rise to the Challange and Rise Early.

Ligia

Goals & Aspirations for 2013

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I am taking cue from  Money Saving Mom and writing out my own Goals & Aspirations. I don’t often do New Year’s Resolutions, but I need to get focused and have a “purpose”.  In her article on her 2012 year recap , she made some good points.

  • Make sure you can stick with it for 12 months
  • Make it a measurable goal
  • Make it a  specific goal
  • I’m adding one: Make it an attainable goal

Personal

1. Lose 7 lbs (simple, measurable, attainable, specific) by March 2013

2. Read 1 book a month (leisure reading)

3. Read 1 book a month for learning (homeschooling/spiritual etc)

4. Scrapbook 1x per month either paper or digital

5. Continue my cake decorating classes

 

Homeschooling/Children

1. Complete our 2012-13 curriculum by May 15th.

2. Take them to Guatemala for their Spanish immersion classes (5 weeks)

3. Get them tutors for what they need (math/writing)

4. Help them pursue their passions (horse riding, karate, movie making, etc)

5. Have a kid date once a month

6. Faithfully have our weekly family pow-wows

7. Continue to encourage them to exercise and eat healthy

8. Have a date with spouse once a month

9. Have a planning meeting once a month

 

Ministry/Friendships/Extended Family

1. Serve in CBS/VBS/and possibly Women’s Network in the Fall

2. Email/Write to Steve’s grandma once a month

3. Visit the great-grandmothers once every 5 weeks

4. Have coffee with a friend once a month

 

Business/Blogging

1. Blog 4 times a week.

2. Submit 50 events per week for $$

3. Pursuit home business opportunity

4. Apply to homeschool review sites

 

Financial

1. Cut 10% off my current dining out, groceries, and miscellaneous budgets

2. Save $500 for my business opportunity (number 3 above)

3. Continue to pay off credit cards

4. Save 2 months of salary by the end of 2013.

5. Plan out our vacations for the next 3 years and start a fund to save half of the cost.

Next, I think I am going to create a break down of each “section” and write 1-2 goals for January, February, etc

Then, I will break that into weekly goals!

Go ME!

Ligia