Give Peas a Chance

Wednesday Words- Psalm 103

2013-06-19T11:07:00.000-04:00

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5

2013 Bento 144-145 #TakeitTuesday

2013-06-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

It's already Tuesday, school is out and I'm still packing lunches. Just not as much. I'm excited for summer, my kids are home! What about you? Are you packing lunches? For school? Work? Kids? I think I'll start packing a lunch for DH again also.

Diva packed this lunch during the last week of school, in her Planetbox

1/2 bagel

Sunbutter
Cucumbers

Blueberries
Chocolates (Brookside)

Piglet's lunch
Chicken Slider in lettuce

Cucumber
Simple Cabbage Salad

Clementine

I wanted to invite you all to share your lunches on my Facebook wall, Instagram (see hashtags below), Twitter, and in comments below.
Share your latest lunches- if you have a photo to upload, an Instagram post, a blog post.

TWITTER and INSTAGRAM users tag #peasblog #TakeitTuesday
Or come and share you favorite lunch box recipe.
Please make sure you link to all recipes and credit sources. I will delete any recipes that have been cut and pasted. Please leave links only.

Give Peas A Chance- Chicken Pot Pie

2013-06-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

Today's MaNIc MoNDaY is from a post that I did back in October 2007. I don't follow are recipe for this anymore, but it's a family favorite. Sometimes I change the veggies up a bit, sometimes I use grilled chicken, roasted chicken, poached chicken. Sometimes I add different herbs, thyme, sage, oregano, rosemary, etc...

It's one of those meals I plan ahead for. Grilling chicken? Grill extra. Making soup? Throw in chicken breasts to poach. Roasting a bird? Save the bones for stock and some meat for pot pie. So easy, so yummy.

Here's the original post on Give Peas A Chance. Recipe is below also.

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Badger Balm Sunscreen- #GIVEAWAY

2013-06-16T23:55:00.000-04:00

Badger Balm Sunscreen. I don't even know where to start. There is so much GOOD about this sunscreen, I'm so impressed. I know it's "just" sunscreen. But it isn't. Because "just" sunscreen is what I used before I had kids. I would pick whatever and use it, regardless of what it had in it. Usually based on cost. Or worse, I would use baby oil to get that little bit of color. Right? Maybe that's just me but if you asked me before I had kids what and EWG rating was. I'd have looked at you funny and said, who cares, it's sunscreen. (By the way, Badger Balm Sunscreens rank 1-2 on the Environmental Working Groups site, that is AWESOME ratings.) I'll list more of why this sunscreen is so awesome as far as specs in a bit. First I want to tell you how it worked for us and why I was (surprisingly) impressed with it.

Why I'm so impressed with Badger Balm Sunscreen/What I like about it

1. Non greasy. They aren't just saying that. It's true. Badger Balm Sunscreen doesn't leave you feeling oily and like a slick greased pig. I don't feel like I'm sticking to the seat of my car or that my clothes are clinging to me because of it.

2. It leaves skin soft, and not all pasty. You know what I mean by that? It doesn't leave this film of white cream on your skin. Not that there is anything wrong with that but, it's just nice not having that.

3. Easy to apply and rub in. Some sunscreens I feel like you have to WORK them in. That's one of the reasons I bought spray on sunscreen. Let's face it, it's easier than sitting a kid down and having to massage and rub lotion in. Not this stuff, sure you spread it around and rub a little to get good coverage. But there's no massaging it in. Easy peasy. The Give Peas A Chance kiddos like to be IN the water as soon as possible.
4. Scent- especially the kids one. It smells like tangerine peels. Real ones, not sickly sweet fake citrus. But it smells like you're peeling the skin of a tangerine and the oils from the peel are releasing fragrance into the air. I mean if they offered this as a lotion scent, I'd buy it. They probably do. I should check.

5. Hypoallergenic- which means my oldest with eczema can use it with no issues.

Now on to the impressive stats for Badger's line up of Sunscreens, below are just some of the claims and certifications, you can click on the image/s to go and read all about what each of these little circles mean, and find MORE awesome information.

Badger Balm company makes several different kinds of sunscreen to fit your needs. Everyday sunscreen, up to a sport sunscreen that is waterproof for up to 80 minutes. They even have a DEET-free, water repellent Sunscreen/Bug repellent combo. Be. Still. My beating heart.

Badger's natural sunscreens are certified natural and organic and offer safe, chemical-free, broad spectrum protection with the mineral zinc oxide and natural and organic ingredients.

Badger Balm is a natural chemical free, mineral based Sunscreen. It's also better for the earth- sustainable and biodegradable, coral reef safe. That probably wasn't even a consideration when buying sunscreen for you right? Maybe it was, but I didn't really consider it, but it makes sense. What washes off of our bodies, goes into the water we're in. I read this on their Facebook page, I had no clue!

Did you know that 4,000-6,000 metric TONS of sunscreen washes off of swimmers and into the ocean every year?

Here is a little about the Badger Balm company from their Facebook Page. Though I'll tell you I was reading HERE (seriously, go read that and tell me you don't want a nice organic lunch made for you everyday and all the other perks). The more I read the more I wanted a job there. No lie.

Badger makes USDA certified organic body care products. We are also a healing line, as in: fresh air, sunlight, a cooling breeze and the kind thoughts of a good friend. These are simply ways of restoring balance. And that's the way our products work.
Soothing and healing balms for your hands, feet, lips and body, made from the purest ingredients on Earth! Safe and effective sunscreens and bug repellents - good for you, your family, and the planet.

Badger is a family run, family friendly business located on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire, USA. Bill, Katie and daughters Mia, Emily and Rebecca started the business back in 1995, in the kitchen of their home.

Bill Whyte was a carpenter by trade and an herbalist by avocation. He could never find a product to heal his rough, dry, cracked hands—the result of daily hard work in the tough New Hampshire winters. Bill whipped up a batch of the original Healing Balm in his kitchen using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera and Essential Oil of Sweet Birch—a traditional New England herbal remedy.

The result was astounding: a simple, all-natural, soothing and healing balm that really worked! And a company was born.
Badger is a family run, family friendly business located on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire, USA. Bill, Katie and daughters Mia, Emily and Rebecca started the business back in 1995, in the kitchen of their home.
Bill Whyte was a carpenter by trade and an herbalist by avocation. He could never find a product to heal his rough, dry, cracked hands—the result of daily hard work in the tough New Hampshire winters. Bill whipped up a batch of the original Healing Balm in his kitchen using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Aloe Vera and Essential Oil of Sweet Birch—a traditional New England herbal remedy.
The result was astounding: a simple, all-natural, soothing and healing balm that really worked! And a company was born.

Buy Badger Balm

Find Badger Balm online-
http://www.badgerbalm.com/

www.facebook.com/badgerbalm

www.twitter.com/BadgerBalmUSA

www.pinterest.com/badgerbalm

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.
**Please note that I have had to pick new winners often because not all of the requirements have been met for giveaways. If you want the extra entries for liking a Facebook page, following on twitter, blogging, signing up for a newsletter make sure you do follow/sign up/blog etc. These are not required for entry, but if you want extra entries please follow the prompts.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on GPAC found HERE.

MOBILE friendly link is HERE. ( http://bit.ly/Yt0SKZ )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Listen- #FiveMinuteFriday #FMFParty

2013-06-14T08:23:00.002-04:00

This is a picture that has been posted before. But I think it's fitting.

Listen

So many discombobulated, fragments of thoughts come into my head this morning about the word listen.
My kids don't always listen. Why don't my kids listen?
To myself, yelling. You read that right.
Five minutes. Just five minutes of quietly doing what is asked of you.
Listen. To music, to traffic, to sermons, to background noise.
Tune out.
My kids, for five minutes, or when I'm driving and need to.
Tune out myself.
Tune out the music.
Tune out the busyness of background noise.
Tune out myself, my nagging voice of negativity.
Tune out all that is wrong in my life.
Tune out everything but truth.
Listen.
Listen to that still small voice of God in the corners of my mind. Whispering truth.
Listen to the beating of my heart, "Return." always return to your First Love. A steady rhythm, reminding me. Fast as can be, come running to the throne of Grace. Always. It's there.
Listen to all that the Holy Spirit helps me recall. Have an answer for the hope that lies within you. Be ready in and out of season.
Listen to truth, and only truth.
Truth is love, light, forgiveness, self control, faithfulness, patience...
Listen to love.
Speak.
Speak in Love.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Frozen Cherries, Icy Sweet Treats

2013-06-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

YUM YUM. Nothing fancy, nothing new here. Just a nice frosty bowl of frozen cherries. Such a great summer treat! So simple and so easy, and they last a lot longer than when kept in the refrigerator.
Wash fresh cherries, dry well, freeze on a cookie sheet, transfer to a container or zip top bag to store.
Easy Peasy.

Wednesday Words- Lamentations 3:21-24

2013-06-12T09:30:00.000-04:00

Lamentations 3:21-24

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

2013 Bento 124-142 #TakeitTuesday

2013-06-11T08:45:00.000-04:00

We are sliding in to summer, as this is the last week of school. I may still pack lunches for outings but probably not too many, we'll see! What about you do you pack lunches for summer?

Let's see some lunches-

Loving the ease of the PlanetBoxes we've been using. I did a Planetbox review here on Give Peas A Chance, you can find it through this link.

Multigrain GF chips
Bell Peppers

Cucumber
Cherries

Strawberries
Hummus

Brookside Chocolates

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Give Peas A Chance Spring Rolls

2013-06-10T08:54:00.000-04:00

It's MaNic MonDay! I try to post old favorites, sometimes I'll update pictures too.

Today I'm reposting with new pictures, Spring Rolls! You can find posts on Give Peas A Chance for Spring Rolls here-

No Cook Challenge Spring Rolls

Spring Rolls Vermicelli Salad

Spring Roll Gear

Spring Roll Pictures
Lunches

Five Minute Friday- Fall #FiveMinuteFriday

2013-06-07T12:28:00.001-04:00

Pixie 2012

This is my first, and who knows maybe my last :P Five Minute Friday.
Fall. When I first saw the word I thought about crisp air, leaves, leaves all over. Here in this area. ALL over, gorgeous leaves like I have never seen. Maybe once in a while when we drove up to Red River CO. But here? Every year I'm blessed and just in awe of the amazing color, texture, variety of leaves. So many colors God came up with. How He programmed the trees to cut of nourishment to those leaves when the air gets crisp. So that they change, turn color, fall off, this is perfect for the trees. Keeps them healthy, sustains them through the winter. Preserves them at their core, so their roots can keep digging deeper. What about me? When God takes something away, could be for good, could be for a season. Am I able to see past what is missing? What is not mine? To see what IS mine? ALL that is mine? The blessings, the joy, the HOPE in Christ? I pray that I would be able to. But I know I don't always.

Five minutes is up :).

Bowl Full of Cherries Indeed

2013-06-07T10:09:00.003-04:00

You may have noticed there aren't that many cherry recipes on Give Peas A Chance. That's because this is how I like to eat them, as they are meant to be eaten. God made them perfect :)
OK, I like them frozen too, like grapes. But still. It's hard for me to cook with fruit, because I like it as is, for the most part. I mean I do like peach cobbler and such, but prefer fresh fruit. Is that crazy? Same with avocado's, I love them so much as is cooking with them doesn't appeal to me. Though I did have avocado fries the other day, they were yummy. I wouldn't make them at home though.
I'm so glad summer is here, summer veggies, fruits. YUM.

(I have another cherry picture coming up... or 50, you've been warned.)

Eating Seasonally Chart

2013-06-06T09:30:00.000-04:00

Check out this chart from Emeals, it's perfect to have when planning meals.
Emeals has come out with some great plans including Clean Eating, Paleo, Classic, Slow Cooker, Low Carb and so much more

Wednesday Words- Most Important Work

2013-06-05T08:35:00.001-04:00

Source for Free Printable

I need this reminder. Every second. But I also need to KNOW it and OWN it.
Pray for me.

“The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.”

― Harold B. Lee

2013 Bento 117-123

2013-06-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

It's "Take It Tuesday" here on Give Peas A Chance, and while I don't pack Bento's anymore (or rarely do) I still use the label, so that's why the title says Bento. (Disclaimer)

Don't forget to link up, either below or on Facebook! See details below.
School is almost out, I feel like I'm in a lunch rut but oh well.

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Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

2013-06-03T09:30:00.000-04:00

This is the EASIEST QUICKEST cookie ever. It's so very easy. It's a little crisp on the edges but chewy on the inside. I love that it makes one skillet, that's it. Not dozens and dozens. I don't mind freezing dough for later, but then the temptation is there to bake them up in my little toaster oven. Too much, too tempting. Sure the skillet is one big ol' cookie but it's gone faster than say 5 dozen cookies. Another thing about this is all I have to wash is a spatula and the skillet. I admit that fact alone pretty much promoted it to best cookie ever status like real quick.

Since this is a MAniC MoNdAy post, you can find the original post HERE on Give Peas A Chance. I also cut and pasted the recipe below.
You do need to use a scale, but this is perfect for children learning weights :)

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

350 degrees 13-18 minutes

1 stick/8 tablespoons unsalted butter

3-3/4 ounces (108 grams) granulated sugar

3-3/4 ounces (108 grams) brown sugar

6-1/2 ounces (184 grams) All purpose flour

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla, I didn't weigh this. Just pour it in.

pinch kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

6 ounces (170 grams) chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a well seasoned 11 inch cast iron skillet on the stove over medium high heat, add cold butter. Let the butter melt, moving it around to coat the entire skillet and sides. Turn the heat off. Let the butter cool for a bit, so the egg doesn't scramble when you add it.
Add the sugars and vanilla to the butter. Mix well until butter is incorporated. Mix in the egg.
Stir in the flour, soda and salt. Make sure you scrape the sides and bottom of the skillet so there is not dry flour there. Stir in chocolate.
Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the edge are golden brown.

Variations

Almond extract, dried cherries, pistachios, white chocolate chips.

Orange zest, dark chocolate pieces.

Macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips.

Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or other nuts to the original.

GPAC Blueberry Tiramisu

2013-06-01T20:44:00.001-04:00

I took this picture at least one year ago, maybe longer? It's taken me this long to sit down and finish this post. It's quite silly, I have several posts like this. A list of ingredients so I don't forget, with measurements. Sometimes pictures of notecards with scribbles. Ingredients. Measurements. Notes. A folder full of edited pictures that need homes on here. Drafts that need tweaking before publishing. I'm always behind, but this is a hobby. This is fun, so I don't get too stressed. Book? What book?

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Free Friday- Ear Muffs Rock.

2013-05-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

There's a heatwave right now. Blah. So we've made popsicles. I did a review of the Zoku here, I did check the site and still no one has designed a cover for this thing yet. Oh well. You can find other popsicle recipes on Give Peas A Chance by searching, or I posted some below.
Yes, Pixie is wearing ear muffs. No, it's not cold, it's 90 degrees. She just likes to wear ear muffs.

Happy Friday!
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Pops
Honey Berry Pops
Cherry-licious Pops

Chicken... Gizzards

2013-05-30T09:30:00.000-04:00

You have to admit, they are Whole30/Paleo/Primal friendly, and if you're eating "tip to tail" you're bound to come a cross a chicken gizzard right? One of my favorite places to get Chicken Livers and Gizzards is Lamberts. So not paleo friendly (not that we eat totally paleo) but so good. Home of the throwed rolls, and the yummiest breaded and fried livers and gizzards. YUM.
These gizzards are not breaded at all. If you take care to trim the gizzards very well, you can get rid of all that makes them so tough. I just pan fried them like a stir fry in home rendered lard. Salt, pepper, and a side of Simple Cabbage Salad. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately just 2-3 of us here will eat gizzards.More for me!

Basically, well trimmed gizzards. Get all the tough silvery "skin" off of them. Rinse. Pat dry. Pan fry in a little hot oil/lard. Like a stir fry, not a ton of lard. Salt and pepper to taste.

Click here for more Whole30 posts.
More Give Peas A Chance on Chowstalker.

Wednesday Words- Proverbs 16:24

2013-05-29T09:30:00.000-04:00

Kind words are like honey-

sweet to the soul and healthy for your body.

Proverbs 16:24

Pixie says this when she hears kind words, but what's really cute is when someone isn't being kind. Then she says, "that's not kind, that's rottenness to the bones." Isn't it just the truth though?

Photo Credit

2013 Bento 111-116

2013-05-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

It's "Take It Tuesday" here on Give Peas A Chance, and while I don't pack Bento's anymore (or rarely do) I still use the label, so that's why the title says Bento.
I would love for you all to come link up your lunches, in the form of photo upload, links to blogs, links to flickr/photobucket, Instagram etc.
Please credit all photo sources and link back to sources. I will try to pin recipes with links to this great Pinterest board :) If you link up a lunch post/bento post, I will probably make a new just lunches board.

Join us on Facebook and link up.
We've been so busy and my schedule is SO very off. I spent a few late nights up with DH watching a new show and my whole schedule is off. EEK.
I know I'm always saying it but I am sooo sorry for these pictures, I realize they are horrible but, I'm feeding the kids!

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Memorial Day

2013-05-27T11:21:00.003-04:00

Remembering those who gave all. Praying for those who mourn. Thanking them for their sacrifice and service.
Bittersweet, I'm so thankful for my freedom. SO thankful. But I know it comes at a great price, still today. Everyday.
Thanking God for his goodness, asking for his continued faithfulness and protection.
And for the ultimate sacrifice-
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

2013-05-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite salads is this Asian Sesame Chicken salad. The dressing has a little tang, some kick from the jalapenos. Not a lot, but you can leave the Jalapenos out if you like. The dressing can be made ahead of time, leave the cilantro out and toss it in the salad at the last minute.
Since there's no egg or mayonnaise, this salad is great for picnics, I hope you'll try it.
I always make extra wonton strips because everyone keeps eating them off the plate!

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Free Friday- Mother's Day Blessings

2013-05-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

OK, this is a total re post because I was just so shocked, excited, and well, thankful, and excited. I entered my book below in NerdWallet's Mother's Day Your Way Contest, AND I won for Best Overall Entry. Isn't that crazy? I mean, of course I think it's the BEST gift ever. I was just so surprised.
My girls did update my book. Sweet drawings, and little notes. I had a wonderful Mother's Day.

The girls (and DH) made me breakfast in bed. I heard my middle girl, sweet Piglet, up early that morning in the schoolroom. She was crafting something. I wasn't sure what. But on the weekends she's usually up, both my older girls. My oldest reading, my middle girl crafting, sometimes reading. When I got up they brought me breakfast. I walked out of the room and Piglet had laid out a baby blanket in front of my door. She said it was my red carpet. So sweet.
DH had taken the girls out to buy cards for me. Piglet laid them all out on the couch. She set them up, with stuffed animals, little trinkets. She's my gift giver. So very thoughtful and kind. We got to go to church and we just spend time together. Perfection.

I'm just so thankful and blessed, such perfect timing.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful entries and winners on NerdWallet's blog.

Back to my book, it's not too late to start one for Mother's Day or Father's Day. I think a Christmas or Thanksgiving tradition would be great. The whole family could draw or write on a page each year.

Anyway, here's my post-

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Engraved Serviceware today $14.99

2013-05-24T08:51:00.002-04:00

Today on Pick Your Plum, you know how I feel about Pick Your Plum here on Give Peas A Chance right? This is one of my FAVORITE items from them. The deal goes live at 0900 EST. If I have guessed correctly what it is, you should go and pick them QUICK so they don't run out on you! Last time they were $20.

I'd love if you SHARED/LIKED/PINNED this post and check them out in about 15 minutes!! http://tracking.pickyourplum.com/SH58

If you pin this post leave me a link to your pin on Pinterest :)

Roasted Tomato Basil Cod

2013-05-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

A simple, yummy meal. Fragrant from the fresh basil, and the mango salsa gives texture and more flavor. I really need to get more of my fish recipes typed out and posted on here. Sigh.
The Cod is roasted with a pat of my homemade ghee and basil that I keep in my freezer. I just make the compound, and freeze it in an ice cube tray or in rolls. I also topped the Cod with cherry tomatoes.
Once roasted, the Cod is topped with Mango Salsa.
The Mango Salsa has mango, cucumber, cilantro, red bell pepper, garlic, salt, jalapeno, lime juice, and onion.
Easy Peasy.
Looking for more Whole 30 here on Give Peas A Chance?