I don’t know if its okay to review and recommend a book before you’ve finished reading it, but I’ve been so encouraged by this book so far that I couldn’t help myself!

The book “The Busy Mom’s Guide to a Happy Organized Home” by Kathy Peel has a lot of practical solutions to everyday household managing issues such as finances, menu planning, cleaning, and relationships.  As a Christian woman, she gives godly perspective and encourages moms to consider what is most important in life.

I originally picked this book up at the library because I was looking for a book that would tell me how to “do it all” during the day.  I feel like I always have so many things that I want to get accomplished during the day…make breakfast, go to work, keep the house spotless, work on a craft project, play with Job, make dinner, go to the gym, run errands, have a quiet time…. I know that for me I feel like there are so many different ways to use my time, and that if I don’t successfully juggle kids, husband, household, career, volunteering, etc, then I’ve failed, and I know that a lot of other women struggle with this as well.

What is more frustrating is that when I look around and see other women who seem like they are doing it all, and then I wonder, what am I doing wrong that I can’t get it all done during the day?  Recently I assumed that my problem was that I wasn’tgood enough at organizing and scheduling.  If I was better organized, then I’d be able to get it all done, I thought.

Hence why I began reading this book.  But instead of detailed instructions on how to become a super multi-tasker and Mrs. Efficient, I was so refreshed when I read Peel’s encouragement to become okay with the fact that we can’t do it all and that it’s okay if we don’t finish every detail on our to-do lists.

She encourages mom to evaluate what is most important to you and organize yourself accordingly.  She also states that our goal should not to become more organized so we have more time to do more stuff, but rather to become more organized so that we have extra time to spend on what we love, like our kids and husbands.

By the way, if you are also struggling with feeling like you need to be Super Mom, I was also encouraged by Focus on the Family’s 3 part podcast “Thriving as a Modern-Day Woman.”  This series helps women discover what God is really calling them to and encourages women to seek after what they feel their calling is, not just what they feel like they should be doing.  This podcast was really encouraging to me that just because other women seem to be doing it all, that doesn’t mean I have to try to do it all.

My attitude definitely didn’t transform overnight from being rigid to relaxed about my to-do list, but I feel a lot better with Peel’s practical everyday wisdom and encouragement to just do what I can reasonably do.  There is no Super Mom after all, so I shouldn’t try to be one.

What do you say readers?

MarilynMoll.com is back! I am very excited about re-connecting with you my faithful friends, readers and customers!  After passing the baton from The Urban Homemaker to the Marsh family in April, my passion for homemaking remains but with a new twist!

My Mission

My mission at marilynmoll.com will to continue to fill this blog page with fresh, relevant information, tips, recipes, food-for-thought, and resources for homemakers of all ages and in all seasons of life and occasionally with a more eternal perspective and use of scriptures.

Although I have experienced many changes and many losses in the last three and half years, I have come to accept that change is inevitable.  I like this quote:

There is no growth without change.

There is no change without loss.

There is no loss without grief.

There is no grief without pain.

Family Updates

Since passing the baton to the Marsh Family, I have spent many weeks taking care of my aging parents and getting them moved to assisted living in Florida.  The highlight of my summer has been connecting with oldest daughter Laura, one-year-old grandson Job, and son-in-law Brandon while they spend their summer on the Western slope of Colorado.

Laura is now expecting a new baby in March 2012.

Son Stephen is now commanding a platoon at Ft Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

Youngest daughter Mary just began her busy senior year of high school and I now have a part time job a personal care provider.

“Like” my Facebook Page

One thing hasn’t changed – my passion for homemaking in all seasons of life, so that is what we will talk about here.  Please tell your friends and “like” my new facebook page.

I’m excited because I have lots of new recipes and resources to tell you about. 

Next week’s Kick off will include some valuable Give-Aways which will include an American Harvest dehydrator, Norwex Superior Mop, and other goodies.

Lastly, if you would like to correspond with me, I’d love to hear from you.  Email me at marilyn@marilynmollsnorwex.com.

Mary came down with a sore throat on Sunday, right after I thought we had missed the cold and flu season.  After applying some of the below tips, she said her throat was almost better a day later.

Here are some of my best tips for Avoiding and Overcoming the Flu Naturally that have worked for our family:

1. First of all, drink AT LEAST two quarts of filtered water a day. Moist mucous membranes are less likely to allow those little flu bugs to get a foothold. May I suggest that you consider investing in a drinking water purifier as low cost “health insurance”? The Multipure system costs eight cents per gallon of purified water and produces much higher quality of purifie water and is much more convenient than bottled water.

2. Frequent Hand washing for AT LEAST 20 seconds to get your hands really clean and germ free. Since hand washing is always important in avoiding colds and flus, be sure to wash and rinse for at least 20 seconds to be effective, and teach your children to do the same.

3. Consider using the Neti Pot type of apparatus that rinses the nasal passages with a saline solution.  I did this last winter twice a day routinely and avoided colds.  I forgot about it this year, and just started in again.

4. Did you know that many herbalists are now recommending a maintenance dose of Elderberry to gently stimulate the immune system from catching those nasty bugs instead of echinacea?

5.  In addition, I always start taking extra Vitamin C or Emergen-C – the fizzy flavored Vitamin C/mineral packets mixed in water.

6. If you find yourself coming down with the flu symptoms, such as achiness or overwhelming fatigue, increase your choice of Echinacea/Elderberry combination product to at least 6 times a day or as often as every two hours since the immune system stimulation lasts for about 2 hours, plus the hot baths, and drinking extra water and tea.

7. If you try all of the above strategies and still find yourself or children coming down with a full case of a cold or flu I have found eating very lightly, or fasting from solid foods (not liquids) and using a combination of Ginger, Capsicum, Echinacea,Peppermint, Lemon, Garlic or Golden Seal in a tea form coupled with extra rest is very effective.  The herbs can also be encapsulated, but I like to make a tea of fresh ginger and or peppermint and a little cayenne, plus lemon and honey and drink lots of it.

8. Spicy foods like jalapeno’s, salsa, or homemade Chicken Soup with a little cayenne are great natural remedies often known as Jewish Penicillin but it works! My recipe for Chicken Soup for Colds and flus contains homemade chicken stock loaded with trace minerals, plus ginger, garlic, and  cayenne.

9.  Try the wet sock home remedy. I learned this from my neighbor Linda who has been using this method to avoid illness for years.  So I tried it last night when I thought I was getting a sore throat.  This morning I don’t have a sore throat!  Simply put cotton socks in warm water and wring them out thoroughly and put the damp socks on your feet, and then put a pair of wool socks over the damp cotton socks.  Go to bed.  Your feet will feel cool for awhile but the wetness/coolness draws blood and toxins to the feet while you sleep and you will wake up with dry socks and possibly avoid that cold altogether.  I love home remedies that are virtually free and work!

10. For more information about how to ferment any type of foods and how they benefit our immune system, join our phone seminar on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 12:00 noon Mountain Time. Jenny McGruther, of Nourished Kitchen will be my guest.

Kitchen Cabinet Installation is Completed

Ed Note: I’ll confess up front, I’m not always diligent about keeping up with the dishes and there are only two of us living here right now.  But I so love a tidy kitchen, especially my beautiful remodeled kitchen with its beautiful cabinets and count tops.  I assure you, my kitchen now has a lived in look but this picture is a good reminder of what I need to aspire to daily.

Dirty Dishes Cause Debt! by Jill Cooper (guest post)
www.livingonadime.com

The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me: “Where do I start if I want to get out of debt?” After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, “How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?” Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be part of your plan, that usually isn’t where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don’t want to face the real causes of their debt because their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.

Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!

We go out to eat because we can’t face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen.

Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.

To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps:

1. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.
2. Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)
3. Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.
4. Wash the dishes that have been soaking.
5. Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)
6. Put out a clean dish rag and towel.
7. Take out the trash.

These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.

Right now the smart folks at Living on a Dime are having their New Year’s Ebook Extravaganza.  13 ebooks for $13.00. Check it out.

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“If only mothers might see how powerful for good or evil is their influence; how the affections and the mental powers may be molded by prayer and maternal love, and how the groundwork for the future of the child may be laid in its early training.”  Isabel C Byrum 1911”

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Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

1 Cup Raw milk, yogurt, or kefir

½ cup apple juice concentrate

½ cup canned pumpkin

¼ tsp vanilla

dash of nutmeg

1 frozen banana, broken up

1-2 Tbsp cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, or coconut oil

6 ice cubes

Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust flavorings if necessary. Makes two servings.

How are you sneaking good nutrition into your kiddos?  Post your original ideas and recipes  for a complimentary copy of Breakfasts for Busy Moms ebook.

]]> http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/10/pumpkin-is-loaded-with-nutrition/feed/ 6 http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/10/healthy-snacks-for-kids/ http://www.marilynmoll.com/2010/10/healthy-snacks-for-kids/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:39:26 +0000 Marilyn Moll http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=952
Junior High Students toured a local Organic Farm this week and treated to a bountiful harvest of healthy, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks.  Everything was locally produced.

The healthy snack assortments of colorful produce inspired me to share a few simple ideas and recipes you can serve to your children.  Prepare an assortment of contrasting colored and crunchy veggies from the following suggestions:

carrots. celery sticks, cauliflower, jicama, broccoli,  cherry tomatoes, radish,  red pepper slices, green onions,  green pepper slices,  kohlrabi.

Serve with Easy Dill Dip or Hummus.  Recipes follow:

Easy Dill Dip
This dip works well with all veggies and can be made in a minute.

1 cup sour cream
1-2 tsp. dried dill weed
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/8 tsp. salt or to taste
1 tbsp. dried onion powder or dry minced onion

Mix together. Chill to blend flavors. Double, triple, quadruple as needed.

Hummus for Veggie Dip
Hummus is traditionally a creamy puree of seasoned chickpeas.
An easy healthy snack for children.

2 cloves roasted garlic (for best flavor) or raw—roughly chopped
1⁄4 cup lemon juice
1⁄4 cup drained bean liquid to make it creamy (optional)
14 oz. (400g) canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans)—rinsed
and reserve drained liquid
1/2 tsp. cumin or to taste

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 – 1 tsp. Real Salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve with a variety of vegetables as suggested above.
Variation:
Spicier hummus: add a small red chili (chopped) or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Fruit in Season

• Other seasonal healthy snack suggestions would be cut up nectarines, peaches, apples, pears, or grapes.  Great color and natural fruit sugar.  YUMMY!  Kids can’t resist the great colors of real food.
• Fruit smoothies made with yogurt or kefir

The above recipes come from Holiday Open House by Marilyn Moll (scroll down)

Follow me at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/urbanhomemaker

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Obtain a Free Ebook:

If you post a comment on my blog and like on Facebook  you will get a complimentary copy of Holiday Open House.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… 1 Thess. 4:11

Thanks for participating in the Teachinggoodthings.com DVD give away.

Laura Hoy is the winner of her choice of the Patchwork, Crochet, or Cake Decorating DVD.  You can still purchase Kathy’s DVD’s by June 16 and save!  Use coupon code:  HOME

Listen to the recorded program with Kathy Brodock – Equipping Families With Practical Skills Now!

Learn to Make A Patchwork Quilt.

Other DVD’s by Kathy:

Learn To Crochet DVD Cake Decorating DVD

“I will not compare myself to any other Mom; I will not compare my child to any other child; I will celebrate the God created specialness of my child.” I think this applies to all moms whether we homeschool or not!

Here is tomorrow’s don’t miss schedule:

10AM CT

Welcome: Movie Makers

Workshop: Power in Words: Encouraging Your Writer in the Art, Craft, and Ministry of Writing with Rachel Starr Thomson

1PM CT

Welcome: Sharon Jeffus from www.VisualManna.com

Workshop: Getting Kids to Help: Your Part and Theirs with Stephanie Buckwalter from www.BusyHomeschooler.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Tara McClenahan from www.TaraMcClenahan.com

Workshop: Spiritual Disciplines for Your Kids with Jane VanOsdol from www.OnlyByPrayer.com

I’m really excited about the Spiritual Disciplines Workshop for ideas for teaching my daughter,for teaching my Sunday School Class and for my future grandkids, the first one is due in August.

Take a peak at the rest of the week’s schedule you are sure to find some workshops that you won’t want to miss:

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Kelly Thorne from www.iBloom.us

Workshop: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Review with Jenn Schwilling from www.MomsNoChaosZone.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Lois Graham from www.BuildingBlocks4Life.com

Workshop: E-Learning: Making Video Part of Your School with Felice Gerwitz from www.MediaAngels.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Candace with www.Sonbeams.com

Workshop: Catching the Foxes that Ruin the Vineyard with Christine Field from www.HomeFieldAdvantage.org

Thursday, May 6, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Kate Estes from www.HandsandHeart.com

Workshop: Teaching Art to Reinforce Understanding of Core Concepts for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners with Sharon Jeffus from www.VisualManna.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Movie Makers

Workshop: Publishing Your Young Writer’s Work:  Tips for Getting Their Work in Print with Jane VanOsdol from www.OnlyByPrayer.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Elana Michelson from www.biblicallapbooks.com

Workshop: Dad, Mom’s Eating Broccoli Again! with Angela Ramos from www.homeschoolfitnesscoach.com

Friday, May 7, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Molly Evert from www.MyAudioSchool.com

Workshop: Mother: YOU can Make a Difference in this World! with Karisa Rivera from www.KarisaRivera.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Anne Elliott from www.AnnesSchoolPlace.com

Workshop: Teaching the Multi-Grade Homeschool with Terri Johnson from www.KnowledgeQuestMaps.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Denise Warnick from www.floatasoldier.org

Workshop: Re-Charge Your Homeschool! with Cindy Rushton from www.CindyRushton.com

Remember, everything is recorded, so you don’t have to attend a live event.

Get your ticket for the Mommy Grab Bag of Goodies, Fabulous Freebies and Downloads, and all the other great resources.

I remember when I went to the homeschool conventions filled with big name motivational speakers but I always felt that there was no way I could measure up to what they were doing, so I was always left feeling more overwhelmed than encouraged by those experiences.

I longed to hear from real moms who were finding solutions to making their homeschool work for their particular family situation, budget, and learning styles.  I longed for more information on managing the day to day then teaching the academics.

I hated coming home exhausted and feeling like I couldn’t absorb another piece of information.  I didn’t like choosing between two workshops I didn’t want to miss.  All these objections have been solved by:

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo is everything I longed for and MUCH, MUCH more. The Ultimate Expo has something for everyone and for all Families.  You will find speakers talking about topics of interest to ALL FAMILIES. Read more details below:

There are no large crowds!  No outrageous gas bills! No makeup! No babysitters! No parking miles away! No expensive trips or hotel stays! No walking for blocks and blocks! No lugging big loads of books around! No expensive trips or hotel stays!  No rushing around so you can catch the vendors, yet missing the wonderful workshops!

In fact! No missing ANY workshops!  Look at this sampling of speakers that will appeal to all Families including those who have a baby on the way!

Anne Elliott
Using the Bible to Choose Methods and Curriculum

Carol Topp
Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
Is Your Homeschool Group Ready for 501(c)(3)Tax Exempt Status?
Micro Business for Teens

Christine Field
Catching the Foxes that Ruin the Vineyard

Cindy Carrier
Creating a Joyful Home Atmosphere

Cindy Rushton
Back to the Heart of Homeschooling
Say Goodbye to Super-Mom!

Dawn Billesbach
Making Family Dinners More Feasible, Fun, and Healthy in a Busy, Multi-tasking World

Jane VanOsdol
Spiritual Disciplines for Your Kids
Publishing Your Young Writer’s Work:  Tips for Getting Their Work in Print

Jennifer Schwilling
Homeschooling Through the Hard Times
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Review

Karisa Rivera
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Sweet Memories and Valuable Lessons

Kimberly Ehlers
Homeschooling a Child with Health Issues

Kimberly Guthrie
A Mom’s Journey to Healthy Eating on a Real World Budget

Lisa Hodgen
“Teach Us to Pray” ~ Becoming a Family of Prayer

Lois Graham
Facing Frustrations and Surviving Stress
ABC’s of Creative Bible Learning

Lorrie Flem
How to Raise Children Who Win Friends and Influence People
Mind Training
Attitudes are Born in the Mind

Mary Kane
Take 5- Time Out with Jesus

Matthew Rushton
Graduated, Married, Got a Baby On the Way–NOW, What I Think About Homeschooling

Molly Evert
Protecting your Marriage
Homeschooling the Dyslexic Child (A Parent’s Perspective)

Paul and Marissa Osborne
Have A Killer Garage Sale and Live To Tell About It

Phyllis Wheeler
Internet Savvy for Homeschoolers

Rachel Starr Thomson
Power in Words: Encouraging Your Writer in the Art, Craft, and Ministry of Writing

Regina Hicks
Who’s Driving Your Bus? Tranquility or Turmoil
High School & Beyond: The Final Leg of the Journey
Three R’s for the Homeschool Mom: Rendering, Resting & Romancing

Rhea Perry
The Biggest Gap in Education and How to Fill It
Online Businesses You and Your Kids Can Start from Home

Sharon Jeffus
Using Art to Help Struggling Students/A Different Approach
Teaching Art to Reinforce Understanding of Core Concepts for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners

Stephanie Buckwalter
What I Learned From Keeping a Dirty House
How to Make Any Curriculum a Right Brain Curriculum or How to Make Any Curriculum Right Brain Friendly
Getting  the Kids to Help—Your Part and Theirs

Susan Scott

Homeschool Success for Every Child: Uncovering the Unique Gifts within each Child

Tara McClenahan
Unpacking Your Child’s Suitcase
Discovering Your Child’s Love Language.
Is That Ultimate or What?  There is something for everyone all from the convenience of your home!

I know I can’t wait, there is a lot for me still to learn.  I hope you will join me in obtaining a ticket to the Ultimate Family Expo.