momnivore's dilemma

how to cook old school: properly-prepared oatmeal

2012-02-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

My favorite breakfast during the winter when I was young was oatmeal. The overly-processed quick-in-the-microwave oats that came individually-packed and overly sweetened with dehydrated strawberries. Maple and brown sugar. I still have impure thoughts about that oatmeal. The more I study food and nutrition, the more I see the phrase "properly-prepared grains, beans, and nuts" pop up in

be your own healthcare.

2012-02-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

to every action there's an equal and opposite reaction- Sir Issac Newton, as drilled into me by Sister Fallon, Senior Honor Physics if doctors knew all the answers, he would still be here. when he died, there was no less than 30 different medications lined up on his dresser in every bottle a false hope and profits for the believer big pharma at its best. a pill for every ill. if doctors

calling all autism mothers: a new series

2012-02-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking. Hearing my story is not enough. I want to interview mothers about their stories, joys, triumphs, challenges, set-backs, struggles, and musings about the greatest growing epidemic in this country. Autism. Autism affects more children than childhood AIDS, cancer, and diabetes COMBINED. And it's the least funded. And most controversial. I already have the first four

sticks and stones

2012-02-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

It happened. My Moose was made fun of for the first time. We were at a birthday party. Two young boys looked on as I tried to talk to Moose. I asked him what he wanted to eat. He replied, "Dadas." The boys broke out in laughter: He said he wanted to eat his dad. He talks funny. There's something wrong with him. Luckily, Moose didn't respond. If he did understand, he didn't let on.

Creative Juice #58 {features and link-up}

2012-02-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another edition of Creative Juice {and my Valentine's Day link party}. Here are the features from Creative Juice last week: From A Happy Place called Home: DIY'd faux capiz lamp project From Decorating Insanity: This $6 dollar dresser! From Raising Oranges: A New Workspace From Sweet Sewn Stitches: Frosted Windows {you'll never believe what Alyssa used!} Break all

25 Random Things

2012-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

1.) My youngest son painted on the floor and the wall. His love of art makes me melt. 2.) I still haven't cleaned it up. I should have made him clean it up, but I forgot. 3.) I stay up most nights til 1 a.m. 4.) When the world is sleeping, I believe more ideas are available. 5.) Speaking of ideas, I bought a dot org today. It's a few years from being a non-profit- I won't take it

joy above joy {an update on moose}

2012-02-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

The smallest improvement will look like a huge leap to you. You will marvel at typical development and realize how amazing it is. You will know sorrow like few others and yet you will know joy above joy. from WELCOME TO BEIRUT by: Susan F. Rzucidlo the morning started out hideous. {i promise you this gets better} moose's doctor ordered a round of activated charcoalbecause his diarrhea

Potty Training Tips and Must-Haves: Advice from the Pee-soaked Trenches

2012-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Here at the estate: There's puddles. And piddles. And lots of "NO! MOMMEEEEE! I HATE THE POTTEEEEE. I LOVE MY DIAPER". The proverbial excrement has hit the fan, well, really the floor, far too many times over the past few weeks than I can count. I, in my insane state of mind, have taken on the Sisyphean feat of potty-training, not ONE, but TWO boys at the same time. An academy award for

Creative Juice #57 {features and link-up}

2012-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Happy February... Welcome back to another edition of Creative Juice {and my Valentine's Day link party}. Here's some projects that caught my eye from both parties. Remember, if you pin them, please do so from the original source, and not this blog. From A Pumpkin & A Princess: Love Pillow I love that this pillow plays on both the famous I <3 NY and Robert Indiana's LOVE art. From

The Homeless Home Office: The After{math}

2012-01-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

In case you are just joining us...here's the before and during. I added a few finishing touches to make the space really work for me. In addition to the vintage suitcases that are my "home office", I also created a few more areas that I would have in a "real" office/studio space again. I tried to hide as much as I could, because clutter on my first floor is a real issue... 1.) First a

12 months of "me" time. {January: Take a Crochet Class}

2012-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

This year, I've committed hard-core to taking better care of "me". Especially since almost every waking hour I have, sans this blog, is consumed with some form of housework or child-care. Whether you have children or not, we all take little time to pursue our interests at the end of a work day. Back when I was teaching, I scarcely had the energy to even workout after I graded papers galore.

Creative Juice #56: Features and Link-up

2012-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all. Hope your week is going great. Don't forget in addition to Creative Juice Thursday, we have the Valentine's Link Party going on for the next 3 weeks as well. Feel free to link to both if you wish. There are over 50+Valentine's Projects already linked! Here are the features from last week's party: From Thistle Wood Farm: An updated boys' hangout From Artsy Vava: Easy Pendant

how to cook old school: easy bbq pulled pork recipe

2012-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to yet another installment of how to cook old school. Using the crock pot is a sure fire way to simplify your life, and kick "fast food" to the curb. Slow food is the new fast food. The time it takes for you to prep this meal, you would have barely touched the drive-thru line at your local burger shop. Sure Rachel Ray cooks things in 30 minutes, but something that's been

Say it Ain't So, Picnik: How to Use Stickers after Picnik's Death

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, google sucker-punched blogging world. Our beloved cheap and easy photo-editing site, Picnik will be no longer as of April 19, 2012. At first I was in tears. Then, I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it. I was alarmed because I used Picnik to add simple shapes, arrows, and the occasion kiss on authors I adore. {like the author Gary Taubes, of the famed Good Calories

on fortune cookies and different paths

2012-01-24T04:49:00.000-08:00

in my early 20s, my life wasn't the easiest. my father was terminally ill. i pursued my master's full-time while working full-time as a classroom teacher, burning the proverbial candle at both ends. i left my home at 7, and returned home past 10 most nights. my migraines were constant. i mended a broken heart just before meeting the man to become my husband. one night, during this chaotic time,

The Homeless Home Office: The During

2012-01-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

Click here to see the before... and read about how I maintain a homeless home office Okay. This was as bad as giving birth, yet it took me four hours. I was in labor with Monkey for 30+ hours. First, I finally weeded out the hot steaming mess in suitcase #1. There was two Whole Foods shopping bags full of shredded paper, mostly in the name of junk mail, that I have avoided since before

Valentine's Day Craft: Love Letters & Beaded Heart Tutorial

2012-01-20T16:58:00.000-08:00

{reposted from last year} Believe it or not, this entire project cost me less than a gallon of $3.60 gas here in Chicago. Less than $2. -gift boxes {yup I ask for them whenever I go shopping}-Free-magenta colored Christmas picks {70% off at Michaels}-29 cents on sale-damask fabric that I scored for $1.20/yard at Joann's Black Friday sale- {used a half a yard}-scissors, packing tape,

gluten-free coconut macaroon recipe

2012-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Since macaroons are the new whoopie pies, I thought I'd adapt the craze for all my celiac and gluten-intolerant readers out there. These incredibly chewy gluten-free coconut macaroons are simple to prep and delicious to eat. So easy, my 2.5 year old made a few. And impatiently awaited the cookies to come out of "their nap in the oven". I may use this baked dough for a gluten-free chocolate

Creative Juice #55: Features and Link-up

2012-01-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

In addition to Creative Juice Thursday, I am also running a themed link in honor of Valentine's Day! If you have projects or recipes, new or from years prior, please stop by and link them there! {just click the button should you want to link up} Now onto... Here are the features from last week: From Musings of a Glamour Puss: DIY Bling Light Switch Cover From Que Linda: DIY Bean Sensory

Valentine's Day Pinspiration and Link Party

2012-01-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first annual Valentine's Day link party at momnivore's dilemma! Before we get started...here are some ideas from pinterest to help you along with your own holiday preparations... I adore Valentine's Day, because although I love winter...it's a sign spring is just weeks away. If you pin any of these projects, be sure to go to the original source via the link below each

How to Cook Old School: Homemade Chicken Stock/Broth/Soup

2012-01-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another installment of: About two years ago, I thought organic chicken broth in the box was awesome. I mean, it was *organic* after all. How little did I know. Broth-in-the-box pales in comparison to homemade broth. Why homemade broth?cheaper than the boxed stuff super easy to make loaded with minerals the boxed stuff doesn't have tastes way better Now, I want to pull

The Homeless Home Office: The Before

2012-01-16T21:18:00.000-08:00

One amazing thing about blogging...it forces you to get things done. A few fellow bloggers are throwing an imagine the impossibilities challenge, so I figured it was high time to revamp my "office". Sure, in my reverie, my office looks like this: Source: google.com via Lisa on Pinterest In my reality, I rock a

possible: 2012 word of the year.

2012-01-16T08:33:00.000-08:00

rather than resolutions this year,I've made a list of home goals. a life list. but I ran across a post at the lettered cottage that made me step back a second and realize it's best to set an intention for the year. just like my yoga teacher has us do, before a class this year, it is possible my son will recover from autism it is possible for me to regain all of my energy and health. it is

it's like having your heart walk outside your body

2012-01-12T21:09:00.000-08:00

On paper, back in fall 2007: life was as perfect as it could get. Except the whole my dad was dying part.But this motherhood thing, I had it down. I read all the books. I had a master's degree in education. I was ready. I made fat babies with my boobs alone. I cloth-diapered. I worried intensely about choosing the right Mommy and Me classes. I made homemade baby food, and when I didn't, I

Creative Juice #54 {features and link-up}

2012-01-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! After a nice hiatus from the blog, I am back and in full force. Hope you are checking off your to-do lists and finding respite from the cold. As for me...I'm still trying to do a lot of this: while the boys run wild... because Old Man Winter clearly thinks it's spring. Until tomorrow. I haven't even shoveled snow yet, and it's almost Groundhog's Day. Weird... Here's