Freedom Lovers' Academy

Gluten Police

2012-02-16T22:27:00.002-05:00

I have my a house full of gluten police. Heard here:

"You can have tacos, Mom. They don't have any gluten."

"Would you like me to make you a salad?" (After me mentioning the Krispy Kreme I saw on the corner.)

"Mom, you can't eat any of this stuff."

"It's okay Mom. There's lots of other stuff you can eat."

I love my family.

YouTube Therapy

2012-02-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

Writing Club- Gabriel

2012-02-10T11:25:00.001-05:00

Gabriel Pelletier

2-8-12

Where I Want To Live And Why

When friends are talking, one question inevitably come up. Where do you want to live? Why do you want to live there? People around the world ask and answer this question every day. The answer you get offers a useful insight into their character. This is my answer to that question.

When I think about that question, I always have my answer in a heartbeat. I would want to live in Greece. There are many reasons I want to live there. For the first, I was conceived there. My parents met and got married there, so I feel like I have a connection with the place. And the history! I can practically smell it from here. Greece was one of the main starting points of western civilization. Everybody can see that America admires Greece in our architecture. Many of the world's greatest thinkers also come from Greece. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aristophanes all call their home Greece.

When I think of Greece, I think of the food. I love exotic food. The different kinds of food I could find in Greece are just about endless. Greece was one of the places where many fronts in the world were pushed back. The gourmet industry, science, math, religion, and philosophy were all changed by the Greeks.

The science of Greece was incredible. They had amazing architecture, and they were wonderful sailors. Their knowledge of the human body was second to none at that time. The Greeks discovered arteries and veins and the connection between them. It was the Greek Aristophanes who figured out the circumference of the earth, and he was only off by less than an inch. It was the Greek Plato who started the controversy about Atlantis. He also made the phase “The mother of invention is necessity”. They also had superb generals, battle tactics, and weapons. One of Greece's greatest leaders and military geniuses was Alexander The Great. His military tactics and revolutionary use of the technology of the time allowed him to conquer most of the known world. The only reason he didn't conquer more is that his men mutinied and didn't allow him to go any farther. He made an early version of the crossbow, which can pierce through heavy armor of the time. The Greek's scientific advances changed the world.

Greece is an amazing place. In it's greatest hours, it led the world out of an old dark age. It was also the inspiration for another superpower that would rise and conquer nearly all of the known world. That empire was known as Rome. But no matter what time period it is, Greece shall always be immortal in the sands of time. That is why I want to live there.

Writing Club- Xavier

2012-02-10T11:15:00.001-05:00

Xavier
2-10-2012

I would like to live in San Jose. The weather is nice. You can grow different types of food. There are other things I like about it. Let's talk about the weather.

The weather is awesome. It's mostly temperate, with the average temperature being 61.3º F. It's most likely to rain in February. There's low humidity during the summer. Besides weather, there's the benefit that you can grow tons of food.

Food is one of the bare necessities of life. In San Jose, you can grow oranges. You can grow cantaloupes. You can also grow tomatoes. There are other things to like about San Jose.

There are other random things I like about San Jose. It is close to the Myth Busters, and I really like the Myth Busters. Mom and Dad seem to like it a lot. It's close to the ocean. It's close Lego Land. These are some of the cool things about San Jose.

There are many things to like about San Jose. There is amazing weather. You can probably grow every type of food, except coconuts. It just has the stuff people like. That is why I want to live in San Jose.

Young Writers Club- Dominic

2012-02-10T09:56:00.002-05:00

Jennie, over at Cooper Family Farm, is having a Younger Writers Club. We decided to participate. This week the writing prompt was "Where would you most like to live and why?"

This is Dominic's essay.

Dominic

2-10-2012

Where I'd Most Like to Live and Why

I would like to live on the Endar Spire. It would be awesome to go around the galaxy in a starship. You get to be in a space battle between the Republic and the Sith. Finally, you also get to meet all kinds of people.

It'd be so cool to go around the galaxy in a starship. All the planets you'd get to explore would be awesome. You'd get to see both of Tatooine's suns up close. It's so awesome to see all the stars.

You'd get to be in a space battle between the Empire and the Republic. This would be awesome because you'd get to go into hand to hand combat against Sith. You'd get to fend off the enemy. You'd get to experience for yourself fighting against the enemy.

Think of all the people you'd meet. It'd be so cool to meet a real live Jedi. I've always wanted to meet a T3 Unit. Oh, and did I mention that I'd really like to meet a Miraluka.

These are all very good reasons to want to live on the Endar Spire. Flying around the galaxy seeing all the planets would be nice. Also, you'd get to be in a space battle. Think of all the people you'd meet. That's why I'd like to live on the Endar Spire.

A Favorite Picture

2012-02-06T22:12:00.002-05:00

First of all, look how young I was. Then, look how skinny I was. I was 9 months pregnant. This was taken on October 31st, 17 days before Xavier was born. My belly was so beautiful. It was perfect and round. I could still walk. A few days after this, Xavier dropped and went to a plus 2 station for two weeks. I couldn't walk very well. But this night, I could walk in the Halloween parade and go trick or treating. I was beautiful.

Christian, Inclusive, Secular, and Anti-Christian

2012-02-04T13:04:00.002-05:00

Before I started homeschooling, I did not understand how segregated the people of this country are. You see, in public schools, all people are together, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or gender. They are only segregated by age. But out here in the real world, our country is segregated by religion, race, sexual orientation, and even gender.

When I started homeschooling 4 1/2 years ago, I began to look for a secular or inclusive homeschooling group. We needed friends. We had only just moved, and knew no one. I quickly discovered the local homeschool group, which is a Christian group. They will allow me to participate in their activities so long as I am not vocal about my unbelief, and do not get upset about their vocal belief. We mostly avoid their activities. It is not that we care about their belief, or that everything is started with a prayer. It is the condemning talk about people of unbelief that is ever present among them. Of course, I do not broadcast our unbelief, so they feel free to talk in front of me. I do not broadcast it because I do not want it to be an issue. If someone asks me, I do tell them.

I found a secular group quite by accident. I found them on Yahoo. I started driving an hour each way each Monday to spend time with them. My children got to play with other homeschooling children, and I got to spend time with other homeschool moms. It was through this group that I began to make close friends.

Over the past 4 years, I have discovered an interesting dichotomy. Many Christians believe that secular means anti-Christian. Many non-Christians believe the same thing. I believe that secular means without religion. So, when I join a secular group, I do so with the belief that the group, not the people will be without religion. And that is what our group is. But there have been many people challenge this view of secularism. Most of them are either Christians who believe that secularism is evil, and all things must be centered around their faith, or anti-Christians who have been hurt in some way by Christians, and want to be protected by them. We remain an inclusive, secular organization.

So, what does it mean to be an inclusive, secular organization? It means that we will take you regardless of your religious un/beliefs, race, sexual orientations, and gender. We will take you if you are a gay father homeschooling, or an evangelical Christian homeschooling. Our only requirements are that you be homeschooling and be willing to get along with those people we have on our list.

Why do I think this is the best way? I think that I benefit from being surrounded by all different types of people. I think that it is important to know not just those people who hold the same views I do. I think it is important for my children to learn to think. My children all hold strong views on subjects. I cannot be the only one to challenge those views. They have to be challenged by others in order for them to find their true meaning and foundation.

And, in the end, it comes down to this. Many people have been hurt by many other people. We have to realize that the person standing in front of us, be they of the same religion, race, sexual orientation, or gender, is not the same person who hurt us. We must learn to love people regardless of these things. We must learn that we all have something to contribute to the great conversation, and value that contribution.

When the Kids Get the Camera

2012-02-03T09:14:00.001-05:00

From Soule Mama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. For more, please visit Soule Mama.

You get the most honest pictures.

Yarn Along

2012-02-01T19:46:00.000-05:00

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Visit Ginny at Small Things to view more.

This week I've been too busy to knit. Today I had to sit for an hour while Xavier had some tests run. A friend of Gary's wanted a pattern for a hat I knit for Gary. I don't have a pattern for it, so I thought I'd write one. His friend is a beginning knitter, and a roll brim hat is one of the easiest patterns to knit in the round. I'm almost done knitting it. I'll post it when it's done. I'd love if you'd glance over it for mistakes.

I'm reading The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Dont Know Can Hurt You. I've only read about 4 chapters, but I've already learned a lot. This book is definitely worth a read for anyone attempting to learn more about the toxins in their environment. It follows Deanna's journey to find out the effects of the everyday objects in her life are on her body.

I'm also joining Tami's Amis for Work in Progress Wednesday.

Real Life Math

2012-01-31T09:19:00.000-05:00

Xavier's first math problem of the day, born of a conversation about salary, is this: How long would it take you to make more than $1000 a month, if you started out making 1 penny the first day, doubling it every day?

Healthy?

2012-01-30T20:31:00.002-05:00

Xavier has proposed a research paper topic: Why do that take hellthy milk, cook it, then fill it with hellthy, but not so hellthy things?

Well, perhaps the milk was healthy before they cooked it. Apparently, cooking milk makes it hellthy. We all had a good laugh over this. I'm not letting him use this new word for Scrabble, though.

Don't Give Up

2012-01-29T16:19:00.000-05:00

Your first try isn't always in line with your vision.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Covered Bulletin Board

2012-01-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Remember the calendar I made? I needed some way to display it. My sister recommended a belletin board. Fortunately for me, Gary had just brought me 2 bulletin boards, so I had one to play around with. I had almost everything I needed. I was just missing some ribbon.

I used a glue gun to keep the fabric in place while the glue dried.

I bought these buttons for something else, but I can't remember what, maybe a button.

I love this fabric! It's all I have, so if you know of somewhere I can buy more (it's Moda Cocka-Doodle-Doo),
I'd love to have some for curtains.

I didn't buy enough ribbon. I'll have to get some more before I can finish the board.

Rug Making

2012-01-27T07:44:00.001-05:00

From Soule Mama {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

For more moments, visit Soule Mama.

Rethinking Breakfast

2012-01-26T20:15:00.000-05:00

When my doctor put me on a gluten free diet in October, I thought I was going to starve to death. After all, my breakfast mostly consisted of gluten. I ate pancakes, waffles, and bagels. And, since I was also sugar free, I couldn't eat pancakes or waffles. One day, I bought that Brie I'd been craving and made myself a new breakfast. It's fast, easy, gluten and sugar free, and healthy.

I eat half a circle of Brie each morning. I believe they are 4 oz each, which would mean I eat 2 oz each morning. I put a couple tablespoons apricot jam in a bowl and mix a couple teaspoons of dijon mustard in with it. The dijon cuts the sweetness of the apricot jam. If you don't care about the sweetness, you can leave it out. For added protein, and vitaminy goodness, I crush almonds to add to the mix.

Spread it on top and pop it in the oven or microwave. The oven works better, but the microwave is faster.

Slice up some apples and enjoy.

By the way, this makes a great appetizer if you cook the whole circle of brie. If you don't, you get the ooey-gooey mess that you see above. It still tastes delicious, but it's not as pretty.

Like Grandfather

2012-01-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

Last night, I walked into the dining room to find this. It immediately put me in mind of my grandmother and grandfather. Every night, Nonnie would put a bowl on the table, along with a glass, spoon, and a box of Raisin Bran. I do love my Dominic.

Be Thankful

2012-01-25T20:16:00.000-05:00

No matter what, we all have things to be thankful for.

Xavier said to me yesterday, "I'm thankful for my stomach acid. It helps keep me from getting sick."

Personally, I'm thankful for Horrible Science books.

Yarn Along

2012-01-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

I've actually been reading this week, which means I have thing to share for the Yarn Along.

I've been working on creating a pair of gloves. This is the first time I've ever written a pattern, and it's time for me to start the right hand glove. I have to do things in opposite, so I'm a little scared. Instead of finishing the pair, I took a break and worked on a blanket that I've had in the works for almost a year.

It's a Log Cabin blanket. Each block is one skein of Noro Kureyon.

Get the pattern here.

This is my favorite color so far. I'm considering making a woven blanket with just this color, hence the reason it has the tag pinned to it.

This week, I'm reading a book called Uncut Cloth: Saris, Shawls, and Sashes. It talks about the history of woven cloths that are made into clothes. The pictures in the book are quite stunning. I found it at my local library.

Getting Healthy

2012-01-24T11:12:00.003-05:00

As most of you know (after all, I haven't borne it silently- I am by no means stoic. I am a sharer.), I was sick for what seemed like a very long time. Compared to people who have been sick for years, and will be sick their entire lives, it was a mere moment in time. However, thanks to that illness, and finding the cause of it, our family has changed a lot of our habits. The most important habit, in my opinion, is our diet.

In December, we took Dominic for allergy testing. Some things I didn't mention are important. Dominic had a lung function of 20%. The reason we took him for allergy testing was because of a persistent, horrible cough that he'd had since March. The allergist immediately put him on medication, "only three different medications a day." He also wanted to start allergy shots. Since I'd had such wonderful results from seeing a naturopath, Gary and I decided that we wanted to try that route with Dominic before trying allergy shots.

When we took Dominic's allergy test results to our naturopath, he skipped right over most of the environmental allergies and headed to the food allergy section. There were a few things the allergist did not even mention. An important one was that Dominic was allergic to yeast. This, according to our naturopath, was because he has thrush. He was also concerned about what food allergies the allergist had basically ignored. Finally, he watched Dominic breathe and said he was not breathing properly. Instead, he was only using the very top part of his chest.

He put Dominic on a mega vitamin, a strict diet, and an exercise regimen to re-teach him how to breathe.. Within three days, Dominic had almost completely stopped coughing and was off all the medicine the allergist put him on. Wow. Three days. All because he started taking excellent vitamins, taught his lungs to work properly, and cut four foods out of his diet.

We cut all corn, soy, rice, and peanuts out of his diet. Do you have any idea how hard it is to take those things out of your diet? If not, you haven't been reading the labels of your food closely. Wow. I knew, intellectually, that corn was in everything. But, I didn't know that corn was in everything. And the few things corn's not in, soy is in. Wow. It's no wonder our society is so sick and overweight. We have very little to no variety in our diets. Our bodies need variety. We need vegetables. We need fruit. We need grains and meat. We need variety. We're not getting it.

I will tell you that it is amazing to me the difference diet has made in our family's health. I will share more with you as we go. I will share some of my favorite new recipes. I hope you make the decision to help your family get healthy, too. It might seem expensive, but what price can you put on your family's health?

Math with Dysgraphia

2012-01-20T14:08:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Please visit Soule Mama to see more. Also, her blog is just awesome.

He's a Shark

2012-01-19T20:36:00.001-05:00

Today, Xavier informed me that he always carries with him the exact amount of Monopoly money he needs to start a game. If you ever need an extra player, he's prepared.

Youtube Therapy

2012-01-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, when my day is a little slow, I head over to Youtube for a little pick me up. Here's your Youtube therapy for the day.

H/T M

Things Kids Do

2012-01-14T23:04:00.000-05:00

Gary and I were watching a movie upstairs, while the boys watched a Star Wars movie downstairs. We heard yelling and ruckus and went to see what was the matter.

Apparently, they had decided to see how many storm troopers they could shoot, and how many times they could shoot C3PO with their Nerf guns. Poor C3PO.

*Disclaimer- No TVs were injured in this battle, though some droids may have been offended.
**Disclaimer- I love the things my kids do.

This Moment

2012-01-13T21:08:00.001-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

See more each week at Soule Mama.

The Best Apple Pie Ever

2012-01-12T15:10:00.001-05:00

This post was originally posted in 2009. I frequently get requests for this recipe. I get calls from my sister while I'm at Home Depot. I get emails from cousins. Basically, it really is the best apple pie I've ever had. And it all starts with the heels. (Although, I have been told it tastes just as good if you're not wearing heels when you make it.) I've updated the recipe with links to printable recipes. You might want to go ahead and print it so that you don't have to call me and hope I remember the recipe off the top of my head.

As we all know, the first step in any baking day should be to put on your best '50s dress, heels, and apron.

Then, after the pictures are taken, take the heels off and throw them to the side for when the food is ready.

Recipe to follow pictures.

For the crust:

Combine all dry ingredients.

Cut in butter until crumbly.

Beat egg in cup. Add enough water to fill cup.

Add vinegar and mix.

Add wet ingredients to 'dry' ingredients and mix.

Roll pie crust out.

Put in pan and set aside.

Thinly slice apples.

Combine dry ingredients.

Toss apple slices with dry ingredients until well coated.

Add to pie crust.

Sprinkle crumb topping over pie.

Cover edges with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove.

Bake for an additional 25 minutes.

Throw off your apron, slip on your heels, and serve your pie!

These recipes have been modified by me. The modifications I use, I will post as the recipe. The original ingredients will be in parentheses. I use all organic, freshly ground whole wheat flour, raw sugar, etc. So far, I've had no complaints. :)

Nonnie's Pie Crust

(This recipe was given to me by my grandmother. It was passed on to her by my grandfather's aunt- I think. ;)

4 c whole wheat flour (white flour)

2 c unsalted butter (Crisco)

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 egg

1 tsp vinegar

water

Combine the dry ingredients.

Cut in the butter until it is crumbly.

Lightly beat the egg in a cup.

Add enough water to fill cup. (IE one cup of liquid)

Add vinegar and mix.

Add to the dry ingredients and mix.

This recipe makes 4 crusts. That means it will make four pies, or two pies with double crusts. It freezes well. Just roll the extra crusts into balls and put them in the freezer.

Printable Recipe

The Best Apple Pie Ever, Hands Down

This pie recipe came from a cook book. I think it was Better Homes and Gardens.

Preheat oven to 375.

6 cups apples

1 tbsp lemon juice

3/4 c raw sugar (white sugar)

2 tbsp whole wheat flour (all purpose flour)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

Combine the dry ingredients.

Toss apple slices with dry ingredients until well coated.

Add to crust.

Sprinkle with crumb topping, or cover with second crust. If you use a second crust, be sure you poke holes in the crust to prevent explosion in the oven.

Cover the edges of the crust with foil.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes.

Crumb Topping

Please note: I believe that this recipe can be halved and still provide plenty of topping. I never use all the topping.

1/2 cup whole wheat flour (all-purpose flour)

1/2 cup raw sugar (packed brown sugar)

3 tbsp COLD unsalted butter

Combine dry ingredients.

Cut in butter until crumbly.

If the butter is not cold, the crumb topping will stick together and be harder to spread.

Enjoy!

Printable Recipe