Menu Plan #74 ~ Entering Into May

It's amazing to me that we enter into May this week.  From the looks of our bursting, quickly-growing garden and swiftly-rising temperatures, I supposed it shouldn't be so surprising.  We are in one of those seasons that gallop along faster than we would care it to, but as we hold on tight, there will be many stories to tell, lessons, learned, and blog posts to share about it all.  In the meantime, we still have to eat and I personally rely on these menu plans, so let's get to this week's:

Monday:

To do: make mostly raw bars, thaw beef for Wednesday night

Breakfast:  Porridge

Lunch:  Almond Butter & Manuka Honey Wraps, Oranges, Hummus & Carrots

Snack:  Strawberry Cacao Smoothies

Dinner:  Irish Nachos

Tuesday:
To do: make yogurt
Breakfast:  Paleo Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
Lunch:  Turkey, Cheese, Tomato, Hummus Lettuce Wraps, Almonds, Mostly Raw Bars
Snack:  Orange Julius
Dinner:  Sautéed Fava Beans tossed with Sliced Tomatoes & Wrapped in Prosciutto, Quick Beet Salad (using carrots instead of fennel)


Wednesday:
To do: thaw refried beans
Breakfast:  Yogurt with Fresh Strawberries
Lunch:  Sourdough Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Oranges, Mostly Raw Bars
Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies
Dinner:  Simple Taco Salad


Thursday:
To do: thaw chicken stock for Saturday
Breakfast:  Chocolate Breakfast Shake
Lunch:  Leftover Taco Salad, Oranges, Carrots & Hummus
Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn
Dinner:  Savory Cakes (using chard instead of spinach)


Friday:
Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal
Lunch:  Leftover Savory Cakes, Oranges, Mostly Raw Bars
Snack:  Cranberry Walnut Smoothies
Dinner:  Homemade Chipotle


Saturday:
Breakfast:  Paleo Almond Flour Crepes
Lunch: Quesorritos
Snack:  Strawberry Lemonade Slushies
Dinner:  Creamy Tomato Bisque, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Butterscotch Pudding


Sunday:
Breakfast:  Fried Eggs, Tomatoes, Avocados
Lunch:  Leftovers
Dinner:  Leftovers
(Sunday is my day off.)

$100 Baby Carrier Gift Certificat Giveaway WINNER!

That was a fun giveaway, wasn't it?  I loved reading all your baby carrier wishes.  With Mother's Day quickly approaching, why not suggest a Frog Mama gift certificate to your gift-givers?  What a happy gift that would be, and 100% of the proceeds would go towards an adoption!

Congratulations to our winner!  Take a look below to see if it's you!

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Support An Adoption! A Baby Carrier Review & GIVEAWAY!

After carrying our babies for eleven consecutive years, I suppose I fall into the "baby wearing" category. I honestly couldn't imagine mothering any other way.  Babies are calmer, more peaceful, and in a mind-developing state of "quiet alertness" when close to a loving care-giver.  A recent article in TODAY was published about the importance of holding your baby.  As I write this, I am currently carrying a clingy, teething baby on my back, bouncing him up and down.  I would literally get nothing done without a baby carrier.

I am so very pleased to partner with Lorene from Frog Mama.  Her beautiful family is saving up for an adoption.  100% of the proceeds made from Frog Mama goes to funding their adoption!  This is a perfect opportunity to bless a mama with an amazing carrier for Mother's Day and help bring a child into a loving family.  To read more about their journey to adoption, visit her blog.  If you aren't in need of a baby carrier but would like to help support their adoption, they are also selling rice neck warmers/cold packs infused with soothing herbs to raise money for their adoption.  If you would simply like to give, a PayPal option can be found to the right on her blog.

Lorene has also generously offered to give a $100 certificate to Frog Mama to go towards your carrier of choice!  I had the opportunity of trying out several of the carriers offered on Frog Mama for a few weeks to provide you with a review.  Before I begin, I would like to say that each of them were amazing in their own way.  The most important part about baby wearing is learning how to properly wear your baby with each specific carrier.  Lorene has a YouTube channel where she teaches how to do this.  If you are in the Shasta County area, you have the added privilege of being able to set up an appointment with her where you can try on any carrier you're interested in and she will show you how to properly put it on.  Now on to the review:

Ellivill Zara Woven Wrap

What I liked most:  This was the coziest carrier I tried.  I could feel Joseph and myself immediately relax and snuggle when we wrapped it on.  Also?  It's gorgeous.

Comfort level:  Highest!

Ease of wear:  Once I learned to properly wrap, it goes on like clockwork.  You can adjust it to fit perfectly for you and your baby's body shape and size.  It can be warn from infancy to toddlerhood.

Versatility:  There is no end to the ways you can carry your baby with it: side, back, front, rucksack, hip-cross, kangaroo...  It's a fun one to play around with.

Kozy Mei Tie Carrier

I wore this one while putting together the garden.  I loved the flexibility it lent me and how secure it felt.

Tying it on is quite simple and very quick.

What I liked most:  The freedom of movement and how light it is.

Comfort level: Very high!

Ease of wear:  Very Easy!  It is a wonderful hybrid of an Ergo-like carrier and a wrap/tie carrier.

Versatility: Can be worn on the front and back.

ONYA

What can't this carrier do?!  First of all, it carries high which I really like.  My baby's head is closer to mine and that is quite cozy and happy.

The carrier goes up high and supports baby's back really well, so when they decide to arch, they don't throw you off balance.

Are you out and about and grabbing a bite to eat at a restaurant or are at a friend's house and you need a place or baby to eat or just sit?  This carrier doubles as a high chair!

Lorene shows us how easy it is to use as a high chair in this video:

What I liked most:  The shoulder straps and belt is very padded and comfortable.  It's easy to put on and adjust, and I love the high chair feature!

Comfort level:  Very high!

Ease of wear: Easiest for me who is used to wearing an Ergo Baby Carrier.

Versatility:  Can be worn in the front or back from six months old into toddlerhood.

ANGELPACK MAX TODDLER CARRIER

I wore this one to our local nursery and into the garden for the day.  This is a very comfortable, new carrier specifically for toddlers!

Here is another video, showing us how to wear this carrier:

What I liked most:  Comfort and ease to put on, and how well it fit my toddler.

Comfort level:  High

Ease of wear:  Very high!

Versatility:  Carries babies 18-48 pounds, adjustable and removable chest strap, ability to shorten the height of the panel, and can be worn in the front or back.

Please consider blessing this family as they save up for their adoption!  And please enter to win a $100 gift certificate towards a carrier of choice below!

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Menu Plan #73 ~ Simple Spring Suppers (and Breakfasts, Lunches, and snacks)

Each week I keep thinking,"This week I'll definitely have time to write all -- or at least some -- of the posts that have been churning inside of me."  Then a new lamb is born, planting takes longer than planned, and there's always making sure the irrigation is running properly, garden chores, and packing the house up for the expansion in three weeks.  No promises for this week, except I can commit to posting a very exciting giveaway and a chance to support an adoption.  Let's get this week's food figured out first, m'kay?

Monday:

To do: make mostly raw bars

Breakfast:  Porridge & Eggs  

Lunch:  Almond Butter & Manuka Honey Wraps, Hummus & Carrots, Raw Cheese Slices

Snack:  Apple Pie Smoothies

Dinner:  Savory Cakes

Tuesday:
To do: make yogurt, thaw beef for Thursday night
Breakfast:  Vegan Morning Glory Muffins
Lunch: Turkey, Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, & Hummus Wraps, Mostly Raw Cacao Bars
Snack:  Orange Julius
Dinner:  Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken, Sugar Snap Peas & Carrots with Probiotic-Rich Ranch Dressing


Wednesday:
To do: make chicken stock
Breakfast:  Yogurt with Maple Syrup & Berries
Lunch:  GF Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Mostly Raw Cacao Bars, Oranges
Snack:   Strawberry Cacao Smoothies
Dinner:  Bacon Spinach Oven Omelette, Salad


Thursday:
Breakfast:  Quick Chocolate Breakfast Shake
Lunch:  Leftover Oven Omelette, Mostly Raw Cacao Bars, Oranges
Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn
Dinner:  Slow Cooker Beef & Root Stew


Friday:
Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal
Lunch: Leftover Stew in a thermos, Carrots & Raw Cheese, Coconut Secret Bars
Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies
Dinner:  Homemade Chipotle


Saturday:
Breakfast:   Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes
Lunch: Quesorritos
Snack:  Strawberry Lemonade Slushies
Dinner:  Split Pea Soup, Biscuits, Best Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies Ever


Sunday:
Breakfast:  Eggs with Tomatoes & Avocado
Lunch:  Leftovers
Dinner:  Leftovers
(Sunday is my day off.)

Menu Plan #72

With planting season well underway, I quickly write this while baby naps.  It's a jolly time of year here at the Riddle Ranch.  The weather is perfect and we only come inside to prepare food and sleep.  Now let's see if I can jot down this week's menu plan before he wakes up...

Monday:
To Do: make hummus & cookie dough bites
Breakfast:  Porridge & Eggs
Lunch:  GF Almond Butter & Manuka Honey Sandwiches, Carrot Slices, Probiotic-Rich Ranch Dressing, Raw Cheese Slices
Snack:  Orange Julius
Dinner:  Nourishing Potato Cheddar Soup (leftover from last week), Salad


Tuesday:
To Do: thaw ground beef for Thursday night
Breakfast:  Grain-Free Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Lunch: Turkey, Cheese, & Hummus Wraps, goji berries, cookie dough bites
Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies
Dinner: Curried Steak with Parsnips & Snow Peas, Steamed Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Butter


Wednesday:
To Do:
Breakfast:  Yogurt with Maple Syrup & Frozen Berries
Lunch:  Nut Butter & Berry Wraps, hummus, carrot sticks, raw cheese slices
Snack:  Apple Pie Smoothies
Dinner:  Bacon Spinach Oven Omelette, Quick Beet Salad (using carrots instead of fennel)


Thursday:
Breakfast:  Raw Chocolate Breakfast Shake
Lunch:  GF Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Oranges, Leftover Muffins from Monday Morning
Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn
Dinner:  Mexican Meat & Potato Melt, Maple Mustard Chard Salad


Friday:
Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal
Lunch:  Summer Sausage (organic, grass-fed), Raw Cheese, Carrot Sticks, Hummus, Oranges, Coconut Secret Bars
Snack:  Strawberry Cacao Smoothies
Dinner:  Homemade Chipotle


Saturday:
Breakfast:  Coconut Flour Crepes
Lunch: Quesorritos
Snack: Strawberry Lemonade Slushies
Dinner:  Split Pea Soup, Biscuits


Sunday:
Breakfast:  Eggs with Tomato & Avocado Slices
Lunch:  Leftovers
Dinner:  Leftovers
(Sunday is my day off)

Weekly Menu Plan #71 ~ Finding A Quick, Enjoyable Routine

If you have been following our menu plans recently, you have probably noticed one week only slightly differs from the next.  Here is why: when I find meals that my family (or the majority of them) likes, and it's quick to make, I bring it back the following week.  And the next.  And the next until we tire of it.  The children have even come to know which day of the week it is depending on the breakfast.  It must be Thursday because we are drinking yummy chocolate breakfast shakes this morning.  This has actually brought a sense of stability that routine so often imparts.  With so much change and business whirling around, knowing you will wake up to a breakfast you enjoy every specific morning of the week brings comfort.  It just does.

Monday:

To do: make cookie dough bites, thaw chicken stock for Wednesday night

Breakfast:  Porridge & Eggs

Lunch:  GF Almond Butter & Manuka Honey Sandwiches, Carrot Slices & Probiotic-Rich Ranch Dressing, Raw Cheese Slices

Snack:  Cranberry Walnut Smoothies

Dinner:  Cornbread Casserole Using GF Cornbread

Tuesday:

To do: make hummus & yogurt, thaw chuck roast for Thursday night

Breakfast:  Grain-Free Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Lunch:  Raw Cheese, Summer Sausage (organic, grass-fed), Cookie Dough Bites, Organic Freeze-Dried Berry Mix

Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies, Fresh Strawberries(!)

Dinner:  GF Cauliflower Pizza with Pesto & Olives, Steamed Artichokes with Garlic Lemon Butter

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Yogurt with Frozen Berries & Maple Syrup

Lunch:  GF Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Hummus & Carrot Sticks, Cookie Dough Bites

Snack:  Apple Pie Smoothies

Dinner:  Nourishing Potato Cheddar Soup, Quick Beet Salad (using spring onions & red cabbage instead of shallot & fennel)

Thursday:

To do: soak blak-eyed peas for Saturday

Breakfast:  Chocolate Breakfast Shakes

Lunch:  Raw Cheese & Apple Slices, Cookie Dough Bites, Leftover Soup In A Thermos

Snack:  Orange Julius

Dinner:  Slow Cooker Chuck Roast Supreme Over a Bed of Lettuce

Friday:

To do: make breakfast cookies

Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal

Lunch:  GF Ham Sandwiches, Hummus & Carrot Sticks, Leftover Muffins from Monday

Snack:  Strawberry Lemonade Slushies

Dinner:  Linguine with Peas & Sage (using fresh snow peas & rice noodles), Raw Samoa Cookies

Saturday:

To do: rinse & cook black-eyed peas in crock pot in the morning

Breakfast:  Paleo Lemon Vanilla Bean Breakfast Cookies

Lunch:  Quesorritos & Oranges

Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn

Dinner:  Black-Eyed Pea & Artichoke Salad (using dried, soaked, then cooked peas & leftover artichoke hearts from Tuesday), Leftover Chuck Roast Supreme

Sunday:

Breakfast:  GF Chocolate Chip Scones (using coconut sugar instead of agave nectar)

Lunch:  Leftovers

Dinner:  Leftovers

(Sunday is my day off)

Super Quick, Raw Beet & Fennel Salad (GAPS, Gluten-Free, Paleo-Friendly)

Enjoy the garden's first offerings of spring/early summer with this salad.  The cleansing, cancer-fighting, folic acid-rich beets and the iron-packed yet soothing-to-the-stomach fennel make a wonderful partnership in power-boosting your health.  The flavors also pair wonderfully together.  This recipe can be made without a food processor, but it will take longer.  

Quick Raw Beet & Fennel Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes; serves 6-8

• 1 large shallot
• 2 bunches beets
• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar (this balsamic raspberry vinegar is really good in the recipe)
• 1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

1. Peel beets & shallots.  Use the mincing blade on the food processor to dice shallot.  Remove mincing blade and replace with grating attachment.  Grate beets and fennel.
2. Scoop processed shallots beets, and fennel into a serving bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and stir well to incorporate.  Serve and enjoy!

 ~ Browse more riddlelove recipes here. ~

Weekly Menu Plan #70 ~ Food For April

Good morning!  Happy April!  We are on Easter break this week and today is our LFD (Last Frost Date).  All you gardeners out there know what that means: there will be a whole lotta plantin' goin' on!  Perfect timing, if you ask me.  We are keeping things quite simple on the menu plan to make room for all the gardening.  There's no denying it.  I'm quite giddy about this week!

Monday:

To do:  make hummus, thaw chicken stock for tomorrow

Breakfast:  Porridge & Eggs

Lunch:  Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Mandarin Oranges

Snack:  Cranberry Walnut Smoothies

Dinner:  Leftover Easter Brisket, Shredded Carrot Salad

Tuesday:

To do:  make yogurt

Breakfast:  Fried Eggs & Avocado Slices

Lunch:  Quesorritos

Snack:  Apple Pie Smoothies

Dinner:  Nourishing Potato Cheddar Soup (with added broccoli blended in), Beet Salad (with grated fennel added)

Wednesday:

To do: soak lentils & rice for tomorrow's dinner

Breakfast: Yogurt with Frozen Berries & Maple Syrup

Lunch:  Summer Sausage (Organic, Grass-fed), Raw Cheese, Apple Slices

Snack:  Carrot Cake Smoothies

Dinner:  Taco Salad using Leftover Brisket, Sauteed Garlic Asparagus

Thursday:

Breakfast:  Chocolate Breakfast Shake

Lunch:  GF Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches, Hummus & Carrot Slices

Snack:  Orange Julius

Dinner:  Lentils & Rice with Fried Onions, Tuscan Kale Chips

Friday:

Breakfast:  GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal With Raw Milk & Coconut Sugar

Lunch:  Raw Cheese & Apple Slices, Summer Sausage, Mandarin Oranges

Snack:  Nut Butter & Honey Popcorn

Dinner:  Easy Roast Chicken, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Fresh Chamomile Tea

Saturday:

Breakfast:  Coconut Flour Crepes

Lunch:  Irish Nachos Using Leftover Roasted Fingerlings & Chicken From Last Night

Snack:  Healthy Mexican Hot Chocolate

Dinner:  Cornbread Casserole Using GF Cornbread

Sunday:

Breakfast:  Yogurt with Frozen Berries & Maple Syrup

Lunch:  Leftovers

Dinner:  Leftovers

(Sunday is my day off.)