I don't plan to homeschool, but as I was searching for some curriculum ideas for the girls at home, I came across a great homeschooler's website and I just had to share it!
Confessions of a Homeschooler - http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/
The website has great ideas on so many things. I actually have been using a lot of the Letter of the Week curriculum, games, etc. She also has great organizing ideas, meal plans and recipes. You can download everything right from her website. It is quick and easy to just print off one thing at a time, or do the whole curriculum.
If you are looking for something simple for your kids to do, take a look you might be surprised!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
NuVal
I had the opportunity to attend a round table discussion about the new nutritional scoring system called NuVal. This system was designed to make it easier for the consumer to make better choices at the supermarket. In a nutshell, the system scores food on a scale of 1 to 100 - 100 being the best. Our local Coborns stores are implementing this system and I think it is going to be great! Each food will now have a score associated to it to help you determine which items might be better for you. With new studies coming out all the time it is hard to make decisions between all the good and bad ingredients. This system did all the work for you and now you just have to look at ONE score. You can choose to make better choices or you can totally ignore it, it is up to you.
Here are some websites about the system:
http://www.davidkatzmd.com/
Dr. David Katz - one of the main doctors that developed the system. He has some great info on his site regarding nutrition in general. The info under ABC for Fitness and Nutrition Detectives are great for kids. You can also get free DVDs for your kids to watch
http://www.nuval.com/
This is the main site of NuVal
http://www.blendcentralmn.org/
The discussion I attended was put on by a local organization called BLEND. They are doing amazing things for kids and families in regards to fitness and nutrition. They have great information on their site.
Here are some websites about the system:
http://www.davidkatzmd.com/
Dr. David Katz - one of the main doctors that developed the system. He has some great info on his site regarding nutrition in general. The info under ABC for Fitness and Nutrition Detectives are great for kids. You can also get free DVDs for your kids to watch
http://www.nuval.com/
This is the main site of NuVal
http://www.blendcentralmn.org/
The discussion I attended was put on by a local organization called BLEND. They are doing amazing things for kids and families in regards to fitness and nutrition. They have great information on their site.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Monthly activity calendar
Adding another thing to your daily to-do list or monthly calendar isn't always easy. However, this monthly toddler and preschool calendar does most of the planning and organizing for you. I have been using this great website, Preschool Express, for quite some time now and I find the monthly toddler and monthly preschool calendars very useful. On each day there is an activity/idea for your child or something that you can do together. Most of the ideas are very simple and use items that you would normally have in your house anyway. They also correspond with the season, theme, holiday, etc. The website has plenty of other coordinating activities, printouts, color sheets, learning games, activities, etc. She also offers kits that you can buy if you are interested. But, if you don't have time to browse the site and put together your own ideas the calendars are a quick and easy way to at least do one fun activity each day.
Preschool Express by Jean Warren
Preschool Express by Jean Warren
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Moon Dough - it's for the moon!
One of our daughters received some Moon Dough for a birthday gift and I was so excited to try it. Well, the excitement wore off pretty fast when I realized how MESSY it was. At first I thought I did something wrong. Maybe I should add water to it? It just seemed to fall apart so easily - and into a million pieces. It does go together fairly easy again but trying to keep all the very small pieces in one place was exhausting. I finally just let them play and then all the small pieces on the floor I just swept up and threw away. I know they say it is better than play dough because it won't dry out but I still think play dough is better and easier for the kids to work with. They seemed to be frustrated with it falling apart so much and trying to keep all the pieces together. However, it was easier for the little girls to roll it out and make cutouts themselves.
You can be the judge, but I think I will stick with good ole fashion play dough from now on.
You can be the judge, but I think I will stick with good ole fashion play dough from now on.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Great game for toddlers
The girls are in LOVE with this version of the CandyLand
game. It is easy for them to play by themselves but also fun enough for their older siblings to play with as well. It is often the first thing they take out in the morning. They learn shapes, colors and do puzzle work throughout the game by putting the pieces in the correct spots.
game. It is easy for them to play by themselves but also fun enough for their older siblings to play with as well. It is often the first thing they take out in the morning. They learn shapes, colors and do puzzle work throughout the game by putting the pieces in the correct spots.Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Love this cereal!
I recently found a cereal that I surprisingly LOVE! It is healthy, tasty and filling! It is a fairly new cereal, I think, so sometimes I have a hard time finding it. However, I did find a few boxes at local Wal-Mart.
First of all, I never thought I would like any raisen bran cereal. It just didn't sound very good to me. But this one has almonds, raisens, yogurt clusters and craisens - the combination makes the taste amazing. I have even had a handful for a snack without the milk. At just 210 calories (with fat free milk), 2.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of fiber. It is a well rounded breakfast.
So, if you are looking for new cereal, I highly recommend it!
First of all, I never thought I would like any raisen bran cereal. It just didn't sound very good to me. But this one has almonds, raisens, yogurt clusters and craisens - the combination makes the taste amazing. I have even had a handful for a snack without the milk. At just 210 calories (with fat free milk), 2.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of fiber. It is a well rounded breakfast.
So, if you are looking for new cereal, I highly recommend it!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
What to make for breakfast???
I am always looking for new and healthy things to make for breakfast in the morning, for both my husband and I and our kids. With the new school year starting, I made a vow to myself to get up earlier so I am better prepared in the morning to offer the kids something better than just a granola bar or cold cereal. Although, I am sure on most days that is what they are going to want. I want to make sure I have other options. The hardest part for me is to be up early enough to have it ready for them.
When making my list of breakfast options for the kids I came across a few good lists and websites that I would like to share. If you have good breakfast ideas that you would like to share I would love to hear them!
1. Berry-Fresh Parfait: This can be a fun recipe to make together! It can be prepared the night before, too. Put it in a plastic cup, if breakfast needs to be eaten in the car or on the bus. Just layer your child’s favorite flavor of low-sugar yogurt with granola and colorful fruit like strawberries, kiwi, blueberries or peaches. Small children can help by adding pre-sliced fruit to the cup or bowl.
2. Oatmeal Happy Face: Oatmeal can go from “yucky” to “yummy” by adding some fun faces made with raisins, bits of dried apricots, cherries and nuts. Just serve plain old fashioned oatmeal in a bowl, and give your child the option of creating a fun face on top with dried fruit and nuts. When the “artwork” is complete, add a bit of maple syrup, and watch breakfast be devoured!
3. Wrap It Up! Eggs and cheese rolled up in a whole wheat tortilla is a nutritious “to-go” breakfast. The egg and cheese mix can even be scrambled the night before. Just put it in a sealed container. When you’re ready to wrap and roll, warm the eggs and cheese, put some into the tortilla, and you’re done!
4. 3-Minute Muesli: This 3-minute recipe is super-healthy and fun to make with kids. The recipe lasts for three days, so it’s ready whenever you are! Check out my recipe and “how-to” video at http://www.voiceofreason.net/.
5. Mmm-Mmm-Good Muffins: Kids love to stir, so helping make oatmeal-blueberry, corn-peach muffins will be lots of fun for them. Scooping batter into muffin cups is also a safe and easy way to get kids involved in cooking.
6. Pile-O-Fruit: Always keep mixed, fresh, cut fruit on hand. Scooped into a bowl and drizzled with honey (and maybe topped with granola), fruit makes a delicious breakfast.
7. Way-To-Go-Waffle: Whole grain waffles are a good source of nutrition. Topped with sliced bananas or berries, this colorful meal is irresistible!
8. Cereal: Low sugar cereals can be made more exciting (and tasty) with the addition of berries, nuts, dried fruit or whatever else your child might like. Just have healthy “add-ins” on hand, and he’ll feel proud when he creates his own concoction of goodies.
9. Shake-Rattle-‘n’-Roll: Nothing is quicker than a shake make with milk, fruit and honey. The natural sweetness is irresistible! Just have your child pick the types of fruit she’d like, control the “on” and “off” switches of the blender, and voila! She’ll be drinking her fruit in no time.
10. Bagel-icious: Whole grain bagels, whole grain English muffins and raisin bread are each tempting when slathered with peanut butter, apple and pear butter or other preserves. High in protein, this is a dynamite way to start the day!
When making my list of breakfast options for the kids I came across a few good lists and websites that I would like to share. If you have good breakfast ideas that you would like to share I would love to hear them!
1. Berry-Fresh Parfait: This can be a fun recipe to make together! It can be prepared the night before, too. Put it in a plastic cup, if breakfast needs to be eaten in the car or on the bus. Just layer your child’s favorite flavor of low-sugar yogurt with granola and colorful fruit like strawberries, kiwi, blueberries or peaches. Small children can help by adding pre-sliced fruit to the cup or bowl.
- I love this one because it can be prepared the night before. I just received a Magic Bullet from my sister and I am excited to make smoothies, etc. Hopefully the kids like them!
2. Oatmeal Happy Face: Oatmeal can go from “yucky” to “yummy” by adding some fun faces made with raisins, bits of dried apricots, cherries and nuts. Just serve plain old fashioned oatmeal in a bowl, and give your child the option of creating a fun face on top with dried fruit and nuts. When the “artwork” is complete, add a bit of maple syrup, and watch breakfast be devoured!
- I think the little girls will like this the most! We also make malt-0-meal which probably isn't as good for you as oatmeal but it is another option.
3. Wrap It Up! Eggs and cheese rolled up in a whole wheat tortilla is a nutritious “to-go” breakfast. The egg and cheese mix can even be scrambled the night before. Just put it in a sealed container. When you’re ready to wrap and roll, warm the eggs and cheese, put some into the tortilla, and you’re done!
- The is one of my favorites! I often make them with ham, onions, green peppers and sometimes bacon bits. They are quick and easy! Of course there is always the regular eggs, toast and some sort of protein as well. We normally save that for the weekends though.
4. 3-Minute Muesli: This 3-minute recipe is super-healthy and fun to make with kids. The recipe lasts for three days, so it’s ready whenever you are! Check out my recipe and “how-to” video at http://www.voiceofreason.net/.
5. Mmm-Mmm-Good Muffins: Kids love to stir, so helping make oatmeal-blueberry, corn-peach muffins will be lots of fun for them. Scooping batter into muffin cups is also a safe and easy way to get kids involved in cooking.
- The kids love muffins! Most of the time though I just buy the muffin mixes that you just have to add water or milk - how easy is that!!
6. Pile-O-Fruit: Always keep mixed, fresh, cut fruit on hand. Scooped into a bowl and drizzled with honey (and maybe topped with granola), fruit makes a delicious breakfast.
- All of us love fruit so this is a win in our house. The only thing with fresh fruit is that it can get spendy!
7. Way-To-Go-Waffle: Whole grain waffles are a good source of nutrition. Topped with sliced bananas or berries, this colorful meal is irresistible!
- French toast, waffles, pancakes and French Toast sticks are something that all of us love as well. Sometimes I make a whole loaf of french toast and freeze it and then just bring up what I need for the day. It takes a little time to prepare but then you have it done already and just need to heat to eat.
8. Cereal: Low sugar cereals can be made more exciting (and tasty) with the addition of berries, nuts, dried fruit or whatever else your child might like. Just have healthy “add-ins” on hand, and he’ll feel proud when he creates his own concoction of goodies.
- I am trying to get the kids to eat more low sugar cereals. We will get there someday. Honeynut cherrios is the closest we've got so far.
9. Shake-Rattle-‘n’-Roll: Nothing is quicker than a shake make with milk, fruit and honey. The natural sweetness is irresistible! Just have your child pick the types of fruit she’d like, control the “on” and “off” switches of the blender, and voila! She’ll be drinking her fruit in no time.
10. Bagel-icious: Whole grain bagels, whole grain English muffins and raisin bread are each tempting when slathered with peanut butter, apple and pear butter or other preserves. High in protein, this is a dynamite way to start the day!
- Our son loves bagels so this works great for him. I have been buying the bagel thins lately and really like them. They are about half as thick as a normal bagel and half the calories. I toast them and put a little peanut butter on them - yummy! And only about 3 WW points!
Above info from Modernmom.com:
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