In Defense of the Over-Protective Parent

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 I am a definitely a member of the “let our kids have their childhoods back” choir that nature-loving Richard Louv and stranger-danger poo poo-er Lenore Skenazy have been preaching to.  In contrast to the security guard who would not let my kids climb a tempting tree on public property because they might hurt themselves, I submit a wise mom’s reaction to her child’s own tree-fall injury:  “What a great way to break your arm!”

But since the  “Stranger-danger-is-all-but-a-figment-of-your-cowardly-imagination, you-freak!” message has recently gained some momentum, I’m sensing some imbalance in the movement.  I’ve always rooted for the underdog, been a voice for the voiceless – and I’m feeling like normal, albeit slightly anxious parents of the world are taking a hit that they don’t deserve.  And it’s time for this normal, slightly anxious parent to say something about it.

But first you must know how ironic it is that I am writing this.  Continue reading →

Real Food for Real Families

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This was the presentation that I gave at our MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group when I lived in DC.  (A little shout out to my DC friends – miss you all!)  A few of the gals became Real Food Fanatics after our little discussion – so proud…

REAL FOOD FOR REAL FAMILIES

FIRST THINGS FIRST – No one can do it all.  Grace not guilt.

ABOUT ME – My journey and passion to connect faith and food…

DISCLAIMERS – This is politically incorrect and may be a paradigm shift.  Everyone is different.  PRAY for family support and desire.

WHAT IS REAL FOOD? Continue reading →

Eat Real Food (Or As Our Grandparents Called It, “Food.”)

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This post is for those just beginning to walk in the Real Food Ways.  Take note that this is an ever evolving journey and though there are some very obvious characteristics about Real Food, each person has to find (and tweak) the version that works for them.  (The variations of the Paleo lifestyle, Raw food movement, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, etc. will have to wait for another post.)

And because this blog is called “Shesourceful” instead of “Sheexplainsitalleventhoughlotsofotherpeoplealreadyhave,” I’m just going to pass along a few links to some great Real Food resources.  I will try to use my editing super powers because there are too many to choose from.  Ya know, because Real Food is all the rage.  Actually it was all there was until around the Industrial Revolution.  But I digress… Continue reading →

A Home Birth Story (contains graphic birth-related spoilers)

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Baby bump and excited siblings

 Alright, birth fans.  Here are the glorious details that many of you have been waiting for.  If you don’t like Too Much Information specifically regarding bodily fluids, the nether regions and various other birth-type details (no crazy pictures though), then I recommend you go find a post involving a recipe or something.  I am the “open book” type and you, my friend, have been warned… Continue reading →

BOOK BITES: The Practice of the Presence of God

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 I have lost too much of my attention span over the years to write a really succinct book review.  But because I can’t read without a pencil to mark up my tomes, I will periodically share a list of quotations or summations from whatever I am reading in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you.  This particular book is a wonderful example for those of us who spend a great majority of our lives doing simple, repetitive, unenviable tasks.  (Can I get a witness?!)

(Imagine peaceful picture of Bro Lawrence or his book which I can’t find anywhere for free without all these crazy copyrights.  Help?)  

       The Practice of the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence 

“Lord of all pots and pans and things, make me a saint

by getting meals and washing up the plates!”

Continue reading →

Fire Water, Baby!

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This is our almost-gone version. Will post more pics of the whole process the next time I make some.

I make and share this crazy stuff every winter and because of its kick-tail effectiveness, many of my friends have requested the recipe over the years.  But first, a bit of history…

This was given to me by one of my Biola Resident Assistants (Hi, Hope!) who grew up chugging this stuff on the mission field in Albania. A few years later I found it called the “Natural Antibiotic” in Keepers at Home, a quaint Mennonite homemaking magazine and then again recently at the Weston A. Price conference where someone referred to it as the “Master Tonic.” The hubs has affectionately dubbed it “Fire Water.”  Whatever you choose to call it, make some, chug it, gag, sputter, feel your eyes water, and then kiss those little germies goodbye! Continue reading →

The Laundry Quandary

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Mount Washmore

I’ll be the first to admit that though I feel skilled at “making a home,” I am terribly deficient at cleaning one. In fact, one of the major reasons we used to host our weekly church homegroup was so that we’re forced to clean our house. We honestly don’t do this in an attempt to impress people (we swallowed our pride on that a long time ago), but so that our friends don’t break their ankle slipping on tiny blocks, get queasy seeing pre-chewed crumbs ground into the couch, or have to sit on a toilet decorated with toddler pee.

People have been kind in trying to excuse my uncleanliness because of the Tasmanian Devil-esque mess that comes with this season of life. But as my mother and college roommates can attest, I’ve just never cared to spend my time on cleaning. Plus, horizontal surfaces in particular tend to get dirty a few milliseconds after you’ve cleaned it, so why all the fuss?

But despite my impurity impairment, I do feel like I am unusually underwhelmed by laundry. Continue reading →