A Good Starting Point (for non-cooks)

In my attempt to shed pounds, I've begun to examine our food choices and to slowly steer away from processed and pre-packaged products. I state slowly because I have to change my lifelong habit of buying for convenience!

My oldest daughter loves Bisquick pancakes, but I couldn't find a replacement box in the grocery store (other than the pourable liquid - yuck!) On Friday morning, I logged onto the Internet and Binged an easy, homemade pancake recipe. As usual, allrecipes.com topped the list.

I am not a stellar cook; worse I am uncomfortable in the kitchen unless I have written, step-by-step directions. Obviously, I can prepare easy meals, but most involve packaged foods. I'm in the midst of training myself to think, "What can I make from scratch?" Friday provided me the opportunity.

I like allrecipes.com because other readers submit comments and many include substitution ingredients. I chose the first pancake recipe, but used melted butter instead of vegetable oil (probably not the healthier choice, I know) and lessened the amount of baking powder and salt per another reader's suggestion. I also added one teaspoon of vanilla, an ingredient that I wouldn't think to use in the batter. The pancakes were very fluffy and filling - my daughter could barely eat two! To my surprise, the pancakes were delicious once cold. More importantly than the taste, the recipe awarded me confidence. Frankly, I don't know if I'll replace the Bisquick now! And I plan to use allrecipes.com for future meal planning. For non-cooks like me, it can be a lifesaver.

The Child Documentary - Airing March 7th

Dear Lord,

Please lend Your hands in encouraging millions of American families to watch The Child. Hear our prayers as we join together to protect Your blessing upon us - the family. Guide us to make the right decisions as we strive to protect parental rights in the United States, the country that You have blessed greatly. Open the hearts of the judges who declare You are not to be taught to our children. Allow the decision makers to see their errors of using the UN treaty to set dangerous precedents in our courts of law. Lord, please strengthen us and those organizations who are working fervently to protect our liberty so we may be the ones to choose what is right for our children and to teach that the only way to You is through Your son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Re-evaluating

I can't believe that it's March 2nd! I know the time will fly, so I'd better decide on our curriculum for next fall. Technically, I homeschool year-round and allow only about one month off in the summer, but I need to begin planning now. I don't want to make the same mistake as last year - waiting until May to choose first grade and kindergarten curriculum - and walking up and down aisles at the local homeschool conference exhibit hall. I impulsively bought two "curriculums in a box", and frankly, I've been disappointed. The first grade kit assumed that my student could barely read (which isn't the case at all!) and the kindergarten kit needs a lot of supplemental activities. Additionally, both kits introduced the days of creation and my daughters have studied creation twice in one year already! *Sigh*

With the amount of free information and resources on the Internet, I could have written my own curriculum, but I was persuaded to take the easy path and purchase a promise in a box. One mother had warned me against ready-made curriculum, but I fell into the temptation of ease, convenience, and new, shiny textbooks. This year's convention is only two months away so I'll be scrambling a bit to solidify our preferences beforehand. Ironically, the more I study curriculum choices and homeschool methodologies, the less I want to purchase texts and workbooks. So maybe at the May convention, I'll simply browse the used-book booth!