Ask an Organic Food Buyer...

Hey moms, I was wondering if their are any nutritionists, or just those interested in it, out there who have info on buying organic. I am trying to make an educated decision on whether or not it's worth my money. If you have and articles, or studies, etc. that you know of, could you post them? Or just leave them in a comment? Anything is appreciated!

Tasty Treat

I am always looking for healthy/fun snacks for my kids...so I thought this might be a useful category to have! Feel free to post any of your favorite snacks too!

I found this basic recipe online years ago...but tweaked it enough over time that I now consider it my recipe! Give it a try...and the beauty of this one is that you can switch it up to whatever you like or what sounds good at the moment!!! Granted it's not the healthiest thing out there...but it's whole grain, slightly filling and I know what ingredients are going into it - no crazy preservatives or anything!!!

Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:
4 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
½ cup butter – melted
2/3 to ¾ cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar

Add-ins…these are some combinations that I’ve liked.
- Chocolate chip (1 cup) and marshmallows (1 cup) - my kiddo's favorite!!!
- Chocolate chips (1/2 cup) and peanut butter chips (1/2 cup) - my favorite combo! :)
- Craisins, coconut, chopped almonds – really good! Add in a ½-3/4 tsp of cinnamon with other -dry ingredients!
- Cinnamon and raisins
- Anything that sounds good.

Mix together the oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in any add-ins. Melt butter and stir in honey, vanilla and brown sugar. Pour over oat mixture and mix well. Press mixture into cookie sheet (or just a 9x13 inch pan if you want really thick bars). Press mixture in firmly! Bake at 325 for 18-22 minutes (less time for thinner bars, more time for thicker bars). I press my bars down again after I take them out of the oven with a spatula. Let cool for 10 minutes in pan, and cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing. They’ll crumble if you take them out too soon or don’t press them firmly enough!!!
You can wrap them individually or place in an airtight container. They also store well in the freezer. They actually taste pretty good frozen too!

Sewing Help???

Has anyone ever sewn a baby shopping-cart cover? And if you have...is it easy? And where did you get your pattern? I'm thinking it's about time that I move my almost 1 year old out of his car seat when we go to the store (don't worry...I have shrimpy kids so he's totally fine in there still, but I know the ideal containment will have to come to an end sometime!!!) But my search for the cart covers has been maddening...they're either totally ugly (why don't they make cute stuff for boys?) or they're SOOOOOO expensive! So, I'm planning on putting my sewing skills to the test and trying it out, but I just don't know where to start!!!

I've found these instructions on etsy...shopping cart cover instructions. Or should I go purchase a real pattern from a sewing store??? Or should I just wing it and make up my own??? Any advice???

FHE Idea

Here is a fun and easy Family Home Evening idea. We first did it when Jachin, my oldest, was 2. He then requested the same lesson every Monday for 6 weeks. We have to do this lesson at least twice a year, but every time we add more details. First tell the story of Samuel, the Lamanite. If you have access to the picture it helps. Then choose someone to be Samuel, tie a blanket/cape around their shoulders and have them stand on a "wall" (we chose our couch). Then "Samuel" tells the people of Zarahemla to repent. The "people of Zarahemla" aka the rest of the family throw jumbo marshmallows at Samuel (trying not to hit Samuel, but it doesn't hurt if one goes astray). The treat at the end is, of course, marshmallows.

Etsy

Has anyone tried to sell something on Etsy.com? How did it go?

Girl's Hair

I have a two year old girl who has long hair. She gets compliments all the time about how beautiful her hair is, but there is a problem. She will not let me do it, even brush it. Sometimes I can sneak in a comb when she is eating. If she is really into a show I can do her hair and she doesn't even notice. At what point to I give up and chop it all off? Or do I let her go around like a rag-a-muffin with food, snarls and who knows what in her hair?

Anxiety help?

Ok gals. We seem to be having a severe issue with Brigham (4) with anxiety. Since Adam's return from Iraq (now 3 months ago), he has had a really (and I mean, REALLY) hard time anticipating typical routines like bath time, bed time, soccer, cleaning scrapes, etc. Literally, he freaks out screaming and yelling and fighting me for as long as I would last, I'm sure. I've tried prepping him verbally, but honestly I'm just sick of the FIGHT every single time. He's always fine once he's into it, it's just getting him over the anticipation, I guess.

Do/did your 4 year olds have a hard time with this? Any ideas on how to help him?