Menu for September 15th – 21st

Menu

Sunday
breakfast: baked oatmeal w/pears & cinnamon, vanilla milkshakes
lunch: l.o. soup (from Friday night), bread
dinner: slowcooker pork roast, sweet potatoes, avocado & pineapple salad

Monday
breakfast: l.o. sweet potatoes, tea boiled eggs, pear chutney
lunch: l.o. pork, coconut rice, l.o. salad
dinner: mexican shrimp, cumin roasted carrots, salad

Tuesday
breakfast: fried rice w/veggies & l.o. shrimp, kimchi
lunch: lentil soup w/l.o. cumin carrots, sourdough crackers, salad
dinner: swiss steak, green beans, salad

Wednesday
breakfast: cornmeal porridge, sausage, pear chutney
lunch: watermelon gazpacho, cheese & meat platter
dinner: beef stew, sourdough bread, green salad

Thursday
breakfast: scrambled eggs w/sauerkraut, sourdough toast
lunch: l.o. beef stew, sourdough bread, salad
dinner: baked salmon, butternut squash, creamed spinach

Friday
breakfast: crockpot grains w/plum sauce, bacon
lunch: salmon patties (use l.o.), green salad
dinner: vegetable soup (w/kale, potatoes, turnips & carrots), cornmeal biscuits, salad

Sabbath
breakfast: egg & biscuit sandwiches, fruit
lunch: at Scottish Games in Kearney Park
dinner: popcorn & autumn fruit salad

Menu Plans for September 8th – 14th

Menu

Sunday
breakfast: french toast custard, pear chutney
lunch: roast beef sandwiches w/sauerkraut
dinner: tamale pie, green salad w/cumin vinagrette

Monday
breakfast: scrambled eggs w/sauerkraut, sourdough toast
lunch: lentil soup (w/potatoes, carrots & turnips), sourdough crackers
dinner: roasted chicken w/chilies, summer vegetable saute, tomato salad

Tuesday
breakfast: buttered pears w/granola & yogurt
lunch: chicken salad sandwiches (use l.o.), pickles
dinner: curried beef, coconut rice, broccoli salad

Wednesday
breakfast: fried rice w/veggies & eggs, kimchi
lunch: out for errands
dinner: beef stroganoff, egg noodles, green beans

Thursday
breakfast: soaked oats w/pears & cream, sausage
lunch: zucchini & corn chowder, cheesy biscuits
dinner: pork chops, baked cabbage, roasted potatoes

Friday
breakfast: fried potatoes & eggs, pickled beets
lunch: pasta bake (w/l.o. stroganoff sauce), green beans
dinner: chicken & vegetable soup, sourdough crackers, salad

Sabbath
breakfast: buttermilk pancakes, fried eggs, sausage
lunch: snack platter
dinner: popcorn, fruit salad, cheese

Menu Plans for September 1st – 7th

I figure the best part of Autumn is turning over a new leaf.
Hmm. Was that too cliché?

So here I am, back at this menu planning habit, deeply inspired, by my friend Jenny’s menu plans.  If you haven’t taken the time to check out her sample menu and shopping list, please do so.  I love real food, and as much as I love planning menus, sometimes it’s just easier to have someone else come up with new ideas. 😉  So without more delay, here is our menu plan for the week, modified only slightly from Jenny’s.  🙂

MENU

Sunday
breakfast: baked oatmeal w/fresh peaches & cream, bacon
lunch: hungarian chicken, cucumber salad
dinner: frittata, green salad

Monday
breakfast: fried potatoes, eggs over easy, l.o. cucumber salad
lunch: curried squash soup, cheesy crackers
dinner: beef tacos, corn salad

Tuesday
breakfast: soaked grain porridge w/raisins, fruit & cream, sausage
lunch: taco salad (use l.o. from Monday dinner)
dinner: roasted chicken thighs w/cream gravy, baked cabbage, pickled beets

Wednesday
breakfast: scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, sauerkraut
lunch: snacks on the go – beef jerky, hardboiled eggs, pickles, raw cheese, kombucha
dinner: crockpot beef stew, sourdough bread, green salad

Thursday
breakfast: cornmeal porridge, sausage
lunch: l.o. beef stew, bread & salad from Wednesday dinner
dinner: lamb meatballs w/gravy, mashed potatoes, green salad, sauerkraut

Friday
breakfast: potato pancakes (use l.o. from Thursday dinner), hardboiled eggs, pickled beets
lunch: chicken salad sandwiches on sourdough, pickles
dinner: chili, cornbread, green salad w/cilantro dressing

Sabbath
breakfast: sourdough waffles w/peach compote, bacon
lunch: l.o. chili, tortilla chips, green salsa
dinner: popcorn, fruit salad, green smoothies

Children’s Schedule

I had several emails after posting my schedule, asking what our chidren’s days look like.  Here’s their schedule.  There are little things that are changed each day, but for the most part, this is how their days flow.

Daily Schedule
6:15 am – wake up, get dressed
6:30 am – Bible and prayers
6:45 am – breakfast
7:15 am – morning chores

a) wash face
b) brush teeth
c) make beds
d) put laundry away
e) household chores
1) sweeping – Pat
2) vacuuming – Jake
3) laundry – Liz

7:45 am – station play
a) Jake – piano practice 15 mins
9:00 am – schooltime
10:30 am – morning snack
10:50 am – morning chores check
11:00 am – outside playtime
11:50 am – clean up, prepare for lunch
12:00 pm – lunch
12:45 pm – storytime
1:00 pm – quiet time
2:00 pm – wake up
2:15 pm – afternoon chores

a) make beds
b) put laundry away
c) behavior practice

3:00 pm – afternoon snack
3:20 pm – chore check
3:30 pm – outside playtime
4:00 pm – outdoor chores

a) sweeping walkways
b) weeding flowerbeds
c) garden work
1) weeding
2) watering
3) harvesting
d) empty compost
e) animal care
1) feed/water
2) collect eggs
3) clean pens

4:45 pm – clean up, prepare for dinner
5:00 pm – dinner
5:40 pm – evening chores
a) put laundry away
b) put toys/books away
c) set out clothes for next day

6:00 pm – bathtime
6:20 pm – bedtime preparation
6:30 pm – evening worship
7:00 pm – bedtime

Granted, as with all things children, chaos can ensue quickly. 😉  However, having a schedule in place can help get things back on track very quickly.  If we don’t take the time to put clothes away in the evening (say, if we had a surprise visitor for dinner), we have the opportunity to put them away the next morning, without too much piling up too quickly. This has been a Godsend in keeping the house picked up – with 6 people living in 850 square feet, it can be crazy quickly! 🙂  If a day gets away from you, keep in mind that you can always start anew the next day (or even in the next hour!  Stay the course – you WILL see a benefit.

Mama’s Daily Schedule

Seeing as how it is a new year, and I have been obviously taking a leave of absence from posting here, I thought I would share my current schedule. I have been needing a more formal schedule for myself, mostly due to the 4 children who are keeping me busy! 🙂  It still astonishes me how much we can all accomplish when we use our time wisely.

Momma’s Daily Schedule

5:00 am – Katie early morning feeding
5:30 am – personal preparation
5:50 am – Bible and prayers
6:15 am – get children up
6:30 am – make breakfast
6:45 am – breakfast
7:15 am – clean up breakfast/start dishes
7:45 am – daily meal preparation
8:15 am – Katie morning feeding
8:30 am – school preparation
9:00 am – schooltime
10:30 am – morning snack
10:45 am – clean up snack, lunch prep.
10:55 am – chore check
11:00 am – outside playtime

a) sweep porch/sidewalks
b) switch laundry/fold

11:30 am – Katie midmorning feeding
11:50 am – clean up, prepare for lunch
12:00 pm – lunch
12:30 pm – clean up lunch/dishes
12:45 pm – storytime
1:00 pm – quiet time

a) switch laundry/fold
b) nap/nurse, 20 mins
c) internet/computer work

2:00 pm – children up
2:15 pm – afternoon chores

a) clothes away
b) behavior practice
c) switch laundry/fold

3:00 pm – afternoon snack
3:15 pm – clean up snack, dinner prep
3:45 pm – Katie mid-afternoon feeding
4:00 pm – monitor outdoor chores
4:45 pm – clean up, prepare for dinner
Brian home from work
5:00 pm – dinner
5:40 pm – clean up dinner/dishes
6:00 pm – children’s bathtimes
6:30 pm – evening worship
7:00 pm – children’s bedtime
Katie evening feeding
7:30 pm – next day meal preparations
8:00 pm – internet/computer work
8:30 pm – quiet time with Brian
9:00 pm – bed

Now, lest you think I am some kind of crazy supermom, please keep in mind that this isn’t something I arbitrarily came up with.  I wrote down the flow of our days for over a week before writing this out.  This comes from “real life”, not something that I came up with to have a boot camp style life at home.  May I encourage you to write your days out, and see where you’ve lacked direction, motivation, or just energy, so that you can also find a way to get the most from YOUR life!

New for the Season: A Very Berry Hibiscus herbal blend

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and I am happy to share this wonderful herbal blend with you!
We started with a wonderful organic black tea, and added hibiscus, rose hips, and elderberries to give your immune system a boost!
This tea has sweet, tart undertones that lift your spirit and cheer you through the winter.

Place your order today!
Cost is $6 per ounce, with free shipping for orders totaling $24 or more.

Contact hiddenpathways(at)gmail(dot)com for ordering information.

Using Food to Heal: Mushroom Soup with Herbs

I’m over at Keeper of the Home today, sharing our favorite recipe for mushroom soup –
it’s a great way to boost your immunity and add fantastic nutrition to your diet!

Check it out!

 

 

 

Menu for September 18th – 24th

We had a great time at the Scottish Games held in our area this last Saturday – the kiddos always enjoy seeing the costumes, parades, and interesting characters who always come out for these kinds of things 😉

I enjoyed the haggis! I was very surprised the first time I had it – I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it at ALL, but I really didn’t mind the “organ meat” taste! I think it probably has a lot to do with the fact that we eat liverwurst often in our home… 🙂  I also came home inspired to try making meat pies again… they are so stinkin’ tasty, and the kids just gobbled them up.

We’re celebrating my great auntie’s birthday this coming weekend, as well as enjoying a hayride + bonfire after the party.  Should be a lovely way to spend Sabbath… and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of marshmallow stickiness to go around. 😀

MENU
Sunday
breakfast: egg sandwiches w/cheese & sausage
lunch: crockpot ratatouille, french bread
dinner: roasted chicken w/lemon & thyme, buttered carrots, salad

Monday
breakfast: soaked oats w/apples & raisins
lunch: eggplant & tomato curry, rice
dinner: roasted sausages, creamy polenta, caprese salad

Tuesday
breakfast: sausage scramble
lunch: grilled cheese, tomato soup
dinner: steak w/mushrooms, mashed potatoes, salad

Wednesday
breakfast: fried polenta, poached eggs
lunch: savory puffed pancake, creamed spinach
dinner: meatloaf, peas (from freezer)

Thursday
breakfast: mixed soaked grain cereal w/dried fruit
lunch: chicken salad sandwiches, pickles
dinner: potatoes au gratin, green beans & bacon, sauerkraut

Friday
breakfast: baked oatmeal w/peaches & crispy walnuts
lunch: l.o. gratin & green beans
dinner: chicken pozolé w/tortillas & sour cream

Sabbath
breakfast: pancakes w/berry syrup, bacon
lunch at b-day party
dinner at hayride + bonfire

Preserving your Herbal Harvest

I’m over at Keeper of the Home today, sharing some great tips on preserving your herbs.
Hop over and take a look!

New for the season: Autumn’s Fall herbal blend

It’s the season of Autumn here, and whether the weather is cooperating in your area (or not, as such is the case here),
I love the reminder that the cool days of Autumn are nearly upon us.
Just in time for those crisp nights is our new seasonal herbal blend:

Autumn’s Fall: a delightfully crisp blend of apple, cinnamon, and ginger with an immune boost from echinacea root.

Order today! Cost is $6.00 per ounce, with free shipping for orders over $24.

Check out all the other blends we have available as well – custom blends are always welcome.

Contact hiddenpathways(at)gmail(dot)com for further information.