A Good Reminder

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?" ~ Hebrews 13: 5-6.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Nature Walk

 

And the Borax Winners Are...

Comment #89:  Michelle S. said...Like you on FB, Michelle Sharp

Comment #94: TheVegan said...https://twitter.com/TheSuperVegan/status/292544233670311936

I used Random.org to pick the winners and I have already notified them via email.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Borax Giveaway via Our Homeschool Reviews!    

Tropical Traditions: FREE Shipping TODAY!

FREE SHIPPING TODAY ONLY!

TODAY ONLY, all Tropical Traditions ground shipments within the lower 48 United States will be FREE with the use of their FREE Shipping coupon.

Enter coupon code 28113 in your cart before checking out, and choose either Ground or SmartPost from the drop down list of shipping options!  FREE shipping is NOT applied automatically.  A minimum order of $16 is required.

Other deals include:
B1G1 Pure Coconut Oil (16 oz.) Ends Thursday
40% OFF The Great Cholesterol Con Ends Thursday
40% OFF Grass-fed Beef NY Strip Steaks
40% OFF Organic Moisturizing Creams
Over 75% OFF Virgin Coconut Oil eBook
NEW PRODUCT: Organic Heirloom Fingerling Potatoes

You can see all deals on the right side of their page.

Tropical Traditions is a wonderful company and free shipping makes their deals even sweeter!  They have many organic items and I especially love their Organic Raw Honey!!

I also just recently purchased some of their skin care products and am enjoying those as well.  My favorites right now are their natural bar soap and moisturizing lotion!

LAST DAY: Valentine's Day Cards $0.99 Shipped!

Having a hard time feeling creative for Valentine's day with the holidays hardly behind us?  Here's an easy, and ridiculously affordable solution to impress. But you got to act fast!   

Snapily's personalized animated photo cards (also available in personalized 3D) retail for $3.99 plus shipping & handling. But TODAY ONLY, with coupon code VAL99, you can get them for ONLY 99 cents... to your door!  These high quality photo cards are a genuinely unique way to share your message with loved ones.

How do the special effects on these cards work?  The personalized animated cards allow you to view 2 photos in the space of a single photo.  A simple flick of our wrist reveals one image after the other.  This is a very useful and creative way to show off before / after, naughty / nice, young / older, etc...  The personalized 3D photo cards frames a single photo in a design revealing depth... no glasses required.

So time to get a Valentine for that special person on your list. Be sure to use VAL99 at checkout.

Valentine's Day Cards $0.99 Shipped!

Having a hard time feeling creative for Valentine's day with the holidays hardly behind us?  Here's an easy, and ridiculously affordable solution to impress. But you got to act fast!   

Snapily's personalized animated photo cards (also available in personalized 3D) retail for $3.99 plus shipping & handling. But today (through January 28th), with coupon code VAL99, you can get them for ONLY 99 cents... to your door!  These high quality photo cards are a geniunely unique way to share your message with loved ones.

How do the special effects on these cards work?  The personalized animated cards allow you to view 2 photos in the space of a single photo.  A simple flick of our wrist reveals one image after the other.  This is a very useful and creative way to show off before / after, naughty / nice, young / older, etc...  The personalized 3D photo cards frames a single photo in a design revealing depth... no glasses required.

Want to get more than one... or a birthday card, anniversary card, thank you card, etc?  No problem, just not in the same transaction.  So time to get a Valentine for everyone on your list. (up to 4).  Be sure to use VAL99 at checkout. 

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful Day

Waiting for the weather to warm up again so we can enjoy another beautiful day like this one!

Menu Plan Monday - January 21

This week is much of the same but I wanted to share with you a new recipe we are going to be trying this week.  A friend passed it on to me from the Top 15 Vegan Recipes from 2012 from Oh She Glows. 

Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Red Quinoa Soup
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked red quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil (or other oil)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cup diced sweet onion (about 1/2 large)
• 1 jalapeno, seeded if preferred and diced
• 1 large sweet potato (350 g), peeled and chopped to 1/2-1 inch dice (2.5-3 cups)*
• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1.5 cups cooked black beans (one (15-oz) can rinsed and drained)
• fine grain sea salt and black pepper, to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt or a bit more)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or red pepper flakes)
• 2 handfuls Spinach or kale leaves, optional
• toppings: avocado, corn chips, cilantro, cashew cream, lime juice, tomatoes or salsa, green onion

1. In a medium-sized pot, add quinoa along with 1.5 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cover with tight fitting lid. Simmer covered for about 17 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat, fluff with fork, and keep it covered until ready to use.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large wok or pot. Add garlic and onion and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. Now add in the jalapeno and sweet potato and sauté for 5-7 minutes more.

...visit Oh She Glows for the complete recipe.

Doesn't that look yummy?!  I can't wait to try it!

Homeschool Mother's Journal: 1-18-13

In my life this week…  

This week has been crazy to say the least.  Tuesday night  I attended a MNO Tea and the topic was Homeschooling Through Adversity.  A friend jokingly asked why I was there {because you know homeschool families with only one child don't have much adversity}.  ;)  And really, she was partially right, I was mainly there for the fellowship and encouragement.  With just one child, things run fairly smoothly, but as I learned at that meeting, and then later this week, adversity comes in all shapes and sizes.  

With a full school schedule ahead of us, Wednesday I woke up with a UTI.  I thought I could take care of it myself with cranberry juice and probiotics, but I quickly learned Thursday morning when I woke up with severe side/back pain that I couldn't.  It had moved to my kidney and I was off to the dr.  So, my two days of school just flew out the window....BUT, it was ok.  Oh, and the house was a wreck too.  Two days of house work not getting done.

Normally I would have worried and stressed over the house and the schoolwork, but I just let it go.  I felt better last night and Funny Bunny and I tidied up and today we are catching up with school.  

I almost didn't go to that meeting because it was late and I was tired...but God knew.  He knew I needed that encouragement so I could handle what was coming the next day.  

In our homeschool this week…    

We finished Unit 20: The Spread of the Gospel in Preparing Hearts for His Glory and we started Unit 6: Reptiles Around the World in Christian Kids Explore Biology.  

This week we also started Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day.  I'll be reviewing this next month but so far we LOVE it!!

  
I'm inspired by…   

The two wonderful ladies who spoke to us at the MNO meeting on Tuesday night.  I feel so blessed to have been able to listen to them.


 

Snapily Sale!

Now through January 25th, get 25% off the ENTIRE Snapily site with code LOVE25. 

What Would the Founding Fathers Think? Book Review

Have you heard of the book, What Would the Founding Fathers Think? 

No?

STOP everything and go purchase it now!!  I mean it!  It doesn't matter if you have children or not....you need to read this book!

David Bowman, author and illustrator, glorifies his Savior and his nation through his fine art, his books, and his motivational speaking.  His latest work is quickly becoming THE Constitutional/ conservative book for young Americans.  In What Would the Founding Fathers Think? A YOUNG American's Guide to Understanding What Makes Our Nation Great & How we've Strayed, David uses wit, humor, and a variety of visuals to skillfully teach preteens and teens alike the wisdom of returning to our nation's founding principles, and in a way that they will actually "get it".  Even adults will enjoy the simplicity of its explanations.

My Thoughts:  I read this book aloud to Funny Bunny, who is 9, over the period of several days.  She was initially intrigued by the colorful and silly cover but as I started reading, she was we were both sucked in and it was hard to put it down!!

Have you ever thought what our founding fathers would think if they were here today?

This book educates the next generation with the history of our nation in a fun and entertaining way, and equips them with the knowledge to take the next steps.

I highly recommend it for both children and adults.  It is easy enough for upper elementary children to understand, and even I learned a few things.  David uses excellent stories and illustrations to make his points.

Thoughts of a 9-Year Old:  I really liked What Would The Founding Father Think? and I loved reading it.  It was fun to read and the examples were silly as can be.  I like it because I actually got half of what they were trying to say.  My motto for this book?  "Everyone, including adults, should read this - especially the people running for President." 

Find Out More:  You can find out more online about What Would the Founding Fathers Think? A YOUNG American's Guide to Understanding What Makes Our Nation Great & How we've Strayed.  It is only $11.99 and is well worth the price!!  You can also find out more about this book and David Bowman on Facebook. 

©2010-2013 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Park Day

We are having unusually warm weather right now.  Above was a beautiful day at a local park over the weekend.

Borax Giveaway!!

I am very excited about this giveaway! 

Why?  

Because I was able to get my very own box of 20 Mule Team Borax to try!

I know it seems silly to be excited about such a little thing, but I have heard about all the wonderful uses of Borax but have never used it myself.  So I was thrilled to be able to try it and even more thrilled that I'm able to give away a coupon to two readers to try a FREE box of Borax!!

So what is Borax exactly?

20 Mule Team Borax is 100% natural, and 99.5% pure (there is about a half of 1% of naturally occurring trace minerals). Once removed from the ground it is washed, dried, and boxed for consumers.

Borax is the common name for sodium tetraborate: a naturally occurring substance produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.

Absolutely nothing is added. No phosphates, per-oxside, chlorine, or other additive chemicals.

Here are just a few things 20 Mule Team Borax can do:

*  Boosts the effectiveness of all brands of laundry detergent and makes every cup more powerful.  Just add 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax to every load, along with your regular detergent.

*  Helps eliminate odor in athletic wear.

*  Makes an all-purpose cleaner

*  Unclogs drains with 1/2 cup followed by 2 cups of boiling water.  This is the first thing I used it for and was so excited my drain cleared!!!!

Those are just a few...there are many more than I can list!

--------------------------------------------------------

GIVEAWAY!!

So, here's how TWO readers can win one coupon for a FREE box of 20 Mule Team Borax!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.

1. Leave a comment telling me why you would like to win

2. Like Our Homeschool Reviews on Facebook

3. Like 20 Mule Team Borax on Facebook

4. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect

5. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews

6. Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook

7. Tweet about this giveaway up to once a day:  I entered to #win #Borax @OurHSReviews http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/2013/01/borax-giveaway.html #Giveaway ends 1/23

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

Contest ends on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 11:59 EST.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org.  This contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older.  If I am unable to reach the winner by email within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.  Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile).  The winner's name will be obtained and publicly announced.  The number of eligible entries determines the odds of winning.  No purchase is necessary to win and this contest is void where prohibited by law. 

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Menu Plan Monday - January 14

Another plant-based week done!  Woo-Hoo!!  I even survived the cookout with tons of steak, chicken, and shrimp...and only are grilled veggies and salad, which was still sooo good and filling!

So here's some of our dinners this week:

Ridiculously Easy Vegetable Gumbo {again!!}
Vegan Stuffed Shells {doesn't this just look so good?!!  I hope so!}
Burritos with Spanish Rice and Black Beans
Vegetable {no cheese on my side} Pizza with this Pizza Crust

Last week for dessert I made Apple Crisp Muffins.  These have no oil or dairy but are loaded with sugars {raw, brown, and pure maple syrup} so although I'm not going to be losing weight eating these, they kept me from eating the junk snacks.  :)

If you are trying something different with your diet or if you have any easy plant-based recipes I would love to hear them!

Hearts at Home Curriculum SALE!!

Alpha Omega Publications has been producing quality Christian curriculum for 35 years!  They have pricing restrictions, so this is the BIGGEST Discount Allowed on AOP and it only happens a couple of times a year! TODAY ONLY Save 20% on Switched on Schoolhouse, Horizons, Lifepac & Weaver!  PLUS Spend $150 or more on AOP curriculum and get all 12 Mike's Inspiration Station Art Instruction DVDS FREE! (You don't have to add it to your cart, they will automatically send it!) If that doesn't get you all giddy, you can also use coupon code AOPFREE to get FREE Shipping on your AOP order! Plus,  enter to WIN all 12 Art DVDs here!

Homeschool Mother's Journal 1-11-13

In my life this week…  

On Monday I started eating plant-based again.  So far so good.  Tonight I made some pretty yummy dairy free/oil free apple muffins that were very yummy!!  Even hubby enjoyed them!

In our homeschool this week…  

Also on Monday, Funny Bunny started all her extra curricular activities again, so we have been busy.  I'm not sure I was totally ready to start back and was actually a bit reluctant, but once we got to each one I was happy to be there...and I know she was too!

This week was packed with activities, so we eased back into school and she only had about 2 1/2 days of schoolwork.  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Over the weekend we we able to get away for a little bit and have some fun!

 I'm inspired by…   

All of the people in the Bible who had such FAITH!!  This week in Community Bible Study we focused on several verses in Hebrews 11.  It's such a good reminder for us and a great place to go when we may be having trouble with ours.
 
My favorite thing this week was…  

Seeing all my mama friends at all our activities!!



 

Wordless Wednesday: Evening Walk