Gross, right?  Well YOU ARE SLEEPING ON MILLIONS of these buggers every night.  You're probably sitting on some right now!

The infamous DUST MITE...turns out this beast has been ruining my life!

For years and years I have struggled with fatigue.  I've meekly confessed to many Doctors that I believe I'm more tired than people are supposed to be.  I've learned to act energetic. I've endured round after round of antibiotics. I've suffered.

Finally, my brilliant PCP (a Nurse Practitioner who I'll gladly recommend to anyone living in Venango County), decided to send me for allergy testing in order to find the root cause of chronic sinus infections over the past three years.

Initially, the allergy Doctor didn't see any cause for concern, but probably to appease me, took some blood work.  His office called me days later and informed me that the results of that test were extremely concerning and I needed more testing STAT.  Hmm... it's never good to be on the receiving end of that phone call!

39 shots later and one very itchy arm, it was discovered that I have intense allergies.  Sure, at times throughout the year, my eyes water, my nose itches and I know I have allergies.  But to have the allergists telling me that my allergies are about as bad as they can be was quite shocking... that's something I assumed I would have noticed.

However, it turns out that allergies don't always appear as red eyes, itchy nose and sneezing.  NO...allergies can surface as extreme fatigue and frequent headaches (since my body is in constant fight mode).  Allergies can result in frequent sinus infections.  OH!

The bad news:  I'm never to enter Antique Shops or Libraries.  We need to remove every nick nack in the house (Jake is doing a happy dance).  We need all new flooring (so long carpet...eventually).  We need HEPA air filters.  We need leather furniture.  We need no animals nor upholstery nor carpet.  Travelling now comes with all kinds of hurdles as other people's homes make me very sick (which also explains why I've unconsciously avoided other people's homes the past few years).  All of the changes needed to keep me healthy are very very expensive.

The good news:  lifestyle changes can greatly improve my condition!  We've emptied our bedroom (goodbye beloved headboard) and encased our pillows and mattresses.  NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!  Now that I'm tuned into the symptoms, I've found that simply cuddling my kids on their beds causes a stuffy nose.  I'm also not supposed to clean my own house (or I suppose I could with some mega mask contraption)...that's pretty awesome justification for hiring out!  And it's crazy, but true... the few times I have swept or dusted since being clued in, I have had severe headaches after that dreaded task.  How did I never notice these correlations before?

Tonight this is on my mind as I'm suffering through my first sinus infection of the year.  I hope it stems from a cold I picked up on a recent flight, the airplane seats, the hotel mattress (though I did travel with my pillow encasement).  If not, I may need to begin weekly allergy shots... but at least now I HAVE HOPE.  Yes, HOPE that I'll feel "normal".  I also have relief, that there IS a problem, which is not good...but a relief just the same (ie I'm not crazy, antisocial or lazy!).

What advice do you have for a girl who needs to live in an allergen free bubble?

Did you go to Walmart's Black Friday sale (Target if you're "fancy") to buy all of your Christmas presents at once? Ordering boxes and boxes from Amazon, sometimes even choosing the gift wrapping option so that it's ready to give upon delivery? Even better- having it shipped to your loved one's home?! You don't even need to brush your hair to deliver a Christmas gift! 

I'm jealous. I am! I wish I could do that, just one year. It would be so simple. But I can't. It's too impersonal. It's too expensive. It's too commercial. At least, that's what my heart says. I just can't do it. (Note: good for you, if this is your style. I receive such gifts very happily.;-) ) 

Instead, I try to give everyone a home made Christmas gift. I want every gift to be special, heart-felt, and full of love. It doesn't always work and having four brother-in-laws doesn't help. (Homemade for men is much harder for me....) Plus, as I get older, my family keeps growing. It's not just my mom, dad, and sister anymore like it was when I was a kid. Now, it's my sister's whole family, my husband's whole family, and their whole families... It's a lot. Just in our immediate family (grandmas and girlfriends included) I've got 8 women, 5 men, and four kids under 5. I'm sure I've forgotten someone.... And that's not including cousins, close friends, my daughter's teachers, and on and on and on. (Plus, my mom and mom-in-law both have December birthdays. Goodness gracious!) That puts me at 19 homemade gifts in December.... Just in immediate family alone. 

Am I complaining? No, indeed. I love it. As soon as these days get cooler and the leaves start changing, I start thinking, planning, and creating. In the evenings, you can find me at my sewing table, listening to a podcast on my iPad, surrounded in a sea of thread snips and felt pieces, happily cutting and sewing away. 

Will everyone on my list get a homemade gift? No. But I like to see what I can do.

To take some of the pressure off of 19 *amazing* homemade gifts, I've decided to create some smaller gifts this year that can accompany other store-bought gifts. Here are two things I made this week. 

I love homemade Christmas ornaments for the Christmas tree. Don't you? I can spend hours looking at my grandma's tree. She still knows the stories and memories behind most of her ornaments, even when some are 50 years old already. I sewed up a batch of matryoshka dolls out of simple crafting felt. I'm calling them "my ladies," but five of them will eventually find new homes and will make someone else's tree that much more cheerful. Attached to a loaf of homemade bread or on top of a book, this is the touch of homemade that I need to feel good about giving a Christmas gift. Don't they make you smile? 

I also got a book from the library called "Creatissimo Macht Das Leben Bunter!" (It's in German.... I live in Germany....)  and was disappointed by it. Fortunately, it was just a library book and I didn't buy it. Of the 70 ideas of colorful craft ideas, only one seemed to be creative and original. Maybe I spend too much time on Pinterest.... I'm becoming hard to impress. ;-) Anyway, using my leftover felt scraps from the doll ornaments, I made four felt piggy banks. Aren't they darling? These would be a great way to give a gift certificate, money towards a goal, or even just as they are. I'm thinking of making a batch of these for us at home to try to control the foreign change that we have floating around. We could have a pig for each country that my husband travels to for work.... 

There you have it: two simple homemade Christmas gifts. They're not my original ideas necessarily, but they sure are happy and fun. Plus, I got 11 homemade gifts out of one package of craft felt. Not bad, eh? 

What about you? What have you made out of felt lately? I'd love to see it. 

For more information about the matryoshka doll ornaments, feel free to visit my own blog: www.mokasch.blogspot.com.  I'd love to see you!
~Marianne 

It's the most wonderful time...{record needle screeching}...WAIT ONE SECOND!  What has happened to my children?  

Over stimulation + excessive excess + constant sugar + festivities + distracted parents = MONSTER KIDS

While I admit that 99.99% of the time, my kids are sweet and 95% of the time they are well-behaved, they are certainly testing their boundaries lately!

Fortunately, I have a wealth of childhood development knowledge (well, I'm sure how much knowledge I have, but I sure put a lot of wealth into it) and know how appropriate it is for my kids to test the waters.  I also know how crucial it is to give them clear boundaries.

So yesterday, when Hazel and I were spending time with my father-in-law, she attempted to give me a sassy attitude.  She was right on, my first impulse was to put on a"ever-so-sweet-and-mild-natured" hat in front of my father-in-law.  That impulse lasted .2 seconds and I immediately addressed her behavior.  I seriously doubt my firm reaction surprised him ;)

Correcting her IN FRONT of her beloved PapPap embarrassed her which caused her to act out again (a classic "NO I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE!"), which led to a time-out, which led to a crying maniac standing on the steps to the basement (the light was on and the door to me was cracked...since basements are creepy...hey, she chose the location, I just had to use it while minimizing the basement-creepy factors). 

Like most tantrums, this one quickly ended with hugs and "I love you even when you're mad at me".  

The weekend also included some parent-free time where it sounds like my children BOTH decided to test the waters with their Grandparents at a restaurant (see above pic.  Their Grammy is a child whisperer and though she will hate that I posted this cell phone pic, I LOVE what it is showing... my wild kids about to find out that Grammy can set limits too!).

Such important life lessons.  While I don't like to upset my kids, I'd surely much rather take away a shopping trip with Daddy (their consequence from their parents in response to their behavior at the restaurant) then to see their civil rights revoked when the feel the need to test limits in adulthood.

Yes, I will raise responsible, polite citizens.  Yes, sometimes they will yell "I HATE YOU" and I will simply smile at my husband knowing that we're doing something right (my canned response to that is "I will always love you"... I don't change my sentence or the sincerity behind it until their personal attack ends.  And now we're back to the Love & Logic philosophies I shared previously.)

This parenthood thing is hard!  Which part do you find most challenging (at this phase in your life)?

When my dad was first diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Luekemia (AML), I sat in his hospital room, scouring the web for SOMETHING that I could wear that reflected/honored his journey...our journey.  It seems that people who are affected by Leukemia aren't as fashion conscientious as others...there was NOTHING!  Well, almost nothing...

I discovered Bravelets.  Bravelets are beautifully designed, inspirational pieces of jewelry and the best part is: $10 from every sale goes to the cause of your choice (in my case, the the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I've seen what they do folks, it's awesome!).  My family & church family have purchased dozens of these...each time I see a loved one wearing an orange Bravelet, my eyes well up and I am deeply touched.

Last month I was asked to become an Independent Fundraiser for this amazing grassroots company.  I said YES!  As a fundraiser, I can give you 10% off and I can help you raise funds for your own cause that requires huge amounts of bravery (and money).

I don't know about you, but receiving a meaningful charitable gift is at the top of my wish list each year... a charitable gift that moonlights as fashionable jewelry is simply AWESOME!  

Be Brave,






p.s. one Bravelet is never enough (hint hint Mr. Claus)

Today I am home with two "just sick enough to stay home" kids.  For lunch, I wanted to give them a yummy soup and I wanted CARBS.  

This reminds me... I haven't told you yet that we STOPPED GROCERY SHOPPING about 5 weeks ago.  Sure, we've bought a small handful of things (one box of triscuits, one gallon of whole milk, some chocolates, a pork loin), but truly, we are living out of our freezer and pantry and LIVING LIKE KINGS.  

Today for lunch, I toyed with the idea of mixing up a quick soup, but well... the Thrive Express line appealed to my delicate sense of {lazy}.  Head here for some deliciously awesome soups made with Thrive ingredients (fully ripened, GMO free, cheaper than your grocery store, no preservatives, delivered to your door...need I say more?).

Here's a fun cooking video featuring October's Soup Recipes with Chef Todd:

Wondering how you can substitute Thrive ingredients into your favorite recipes?  

Here's an awesome printable reference guide!  (click on it to view just the PDF version for easy printing)_

Author's note:  Like the Strawberry Granita, this post was meant to be published during June or July... do to family circumstances, that didn't happen.  However, it's still a great idea for any upcoming picnics and/or "Pin" or bookmark this idea for next year :)

Is there anything better than a fresh strawberry?  How about a chocolate covered strawberry?  How about a red, white & blue strawberry?  Oh my... I think we all need to eat a batch of these right NOW!

Guaranteed to deliver the “WOW” factor at any patriotic gathering and shh... don’t tell, but this is the easiest dessert you’ll ever make!

Ingredients:

• A pound fresh or freeze dried of strawberries (about 24)
• 16 ounces of white chocolate
• 2 Tablespoons of shortening
• ¼ cup of blue sugar crystals
• wax paper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash strawberries, leaving the leaves in place.  Lay the strawberries in a single layer on paper towels. 
*Chocolate will NOT stick to strawberries if there is any moisture on the berry!
**If using freeze dried whole berries, do not wash first!  These are DELICIOUS crunchy treats!
2. Place the chocolates in a microwaveable bowl that will not get too hot to touch 
    a. Put microwave on 50% power (if your microwave doesn’t have a low power                 setting, check and stir your chocolate more frequently)
    b. Microwave chocolate in 30-60 minute increments, stirring and rotating the bowl           between each session.  
     c. Finish heating the chocolate when just a small amount of chocolate chunks remain (typically between 3-4                   minutes).  Stir chocolate until uniformly melted and smooth.
3. Holding strawberries by the stem, dip the strawberries into the chocolate until at least ¾ of the strawberry is covered in chocolate.
4. Immediately dip into the blue sugar crystals
5. Lay on wax paper and leave until the chocolate hardens
*It’s not ideal to refrigerate chocolate covered strawberries as moisture gathers on top of the chocolate.  If possible, make this dessert right before your party and/or leave them in a cool place in the house until ready to eat (I actually put the tray in my air conditioned bedroom for a few hours!).  
6. Put on a plate or serving tray and ENJOY :)

This dessert was inspired by this picture:  http://allrecipes.com/Cook/Photo.aspx?photoID=428300

What will you be doing this Labor Day Weekend?

Bon Appetit,

Lesley, our fitness and Etsy expert is back with perhaps the best tutorial I've ever seen.  She poured her heart into this one folks, who is going to join me in making a set of these?  Granted, I'm lucky enough to have two Rugrat Design snack bags that we use ALL.THE.TIME!  Perfect for on the go snacking :)

__ For those of us with school age children….the time has come….summer is over and it is time for back to school. There may have been tears (theirs or your own) or there may have been celebratory moments (again, theirs or maybe your own too!) Regardless of how it happened….it happened….the school supplies were purchased, first day of school outfit selected and laid out, teachers and schedules assigned and just like that- the 2013-2014 school year began. Along with those supplies, book bags, “perfect shoes” and the coolest styles comes the lunchbox. And that is where the subject of this month’s entry begins….

If you’re reading this blog- it means you are at least partially green. If you were looking for the “How to fill the landfill ASAP” blog- you’re in the wrong spot. So- back to that lunchbox. In packing daily lunches for my daughter I was determined to do my part to be a little more green. I went a tad crazy seeking the perfect lunchbox.  My daughter is carrying a Goodbyn lunchbox this year and so far I pretty much have a crush on the thing. Truly.

In addition to this lunchbox, we use reusable sandwich wraps and snack bags instead of ziplocs, foil or saran wrap when I pack lunch and snacks. We also use a reusable drink bottle instead of juice boxes. Since I can’t tell you how to make a drink bottle, you’ll just have to go to Target to get one of those bad boys. But, as the woman behind Rugrat Design. I CAN tell you how to make the reusable wraps. So I will do that. That’s right, I’m telling you how to make something instead of sending you to my shop to buy it. Aren’t I nice!? For those of you who don’t sew or don’t want to- then just head right over and do your shopping and I’ll happily make it and mail it to you :)

So, shut up already Lesley and tell me what to do. OK. I hear ya!

With no further ado….THE REUSABLE SNACK BAG AND SANDWICH WRAP TUTORIAL This is my first tutorial and therefore I request your patience as it may be a tad wordy. But I promise you, at the end, you will have a reusable snack bag and sandwich wrap and you can send stylish and green lunches for your Rugrat (or yourself!) Goodbye waste…hello style!

It's that time of year... dun dun DUN!  This time of year brings so many feelings:  excitement for new things, sadness for losing free time, wonder over the enormous changes my kids will grow into, and STRESS over HOW WILL I MANAGE TO CLEAN THE HOUSE, DO LAUNDRY, FEED MY FAMILY AND WORK!

Do you hear me on that?  Can I get a "HECK YEAH?"

Fortunately, I have some secret weapons... and (spoiler alert), it's all freeze dried!


Quick and easy breakfast:
Scrambled egg mix with freeze dried sausage crumbles, freeze dried spinach.

Midmorning snack:
Strawberry yogurt bites

Lunch:
Chicken Salad on crackers & dried fruit (I'm craving fuji apples and peach slices)

TO MAKE (this makes A LOT... I often halve or quarter it):
2.5 cup freeze dried chopped chicken
1/2 cup freeze dried chopped onion
3/4 cup freeze dried celery
2 cup water

Add water to chicken, onion & celery.  Stir well and chill for 10 minutes.  Mix 3/4 c mayo, 1 Tbsp dijon mustard, 3/4 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper until well mixed.  Combine with chicken mixture, do not drain.  Chill in fridge for 1.5 hours till thickened.

Afternoon Snack:
GORP (trail mix) with added freeze dried blueberries & mangoes with Thrive Classic Lemonade

Dinner:
Southwest Chicken and Rice burritos & Thrive Fudge Brownies

TO MAKE:  Make the Thrive Express Southwest Style Chicken and Rice (simply add water and simmer for 15 minutes).  Scoop into tortillas and top with shredded cheddar cheese and salsa.

Now put up your feet and RELAX (perhaps with an extra brownie and glass of pinot noir)!

Bon Appetit,

One of our favorite family musicians is Billy Jonas.  His song "Any Way You Go You're Gonna Get There" makes me think of all of my pasta salad success stories of late.

RANDOM?  Perhaps, but this is the way my brain works!

For this salad, you truly let your taste buds guide you.  Typically I NEED a recipe to follow, at least loosely.  But with a pasta salad, you simply need pasta, a sauce and then add-ons.  It can be different every time and it'll always be awesome!  When using Thrive ingredients, this healthy meal takes only the length of time needed to boil the pasta!