More from Sue Gregg....

Okay, my copy of Introducing Whole Foods Cooking definitely bears the evidence of my enthusiasm in trying out these recipes--comments in the margin and chowder spots on multiple pages. Last week, I posted about the first several recipes I made from this book, and now here's my follow-up report. Since the first post, I've made the black bean chowder, more almond coffee cake, and the country creole peas 'n corn.

Before I describe my experiences with these recipes, I'd like to tell a little more about the cookbook itself. The recipes really only take up a small portion of the book. That is where this book is very unique as a cookbook. It does contain some of the same basic helps a regular cookbook would, but it goes several steps farther, including a section called "Serving and Connecting", which describes how we can beautify our mealtimes and make them a time of authentic communication, sharing, and devotion. And in the "Next Steps" section, information is provided, among other things, on how to provide whole foods meals on a budget and how to revise recipes to make them healthier. You don't buy this cookbook just for recipes--it's a tool to aid you in food and mealtime decisions and practices, regardless of whether your dishes come from this book.

I know I mentioned this in my previous post, but the powerpoint cd is invaluable as well, giving me a visual aid as I read and follow the directions for each recipe.

On to our experiences with these dishes....

Both the country creole peas 'n corn and the black bean chowder made big pots that fed us for three meals, and we're a family of five. Both were homestyle-type main dishes, casual and comforting. The black bean chowder was especially easy and can be made when prep time is limited to a couple of hours. The country creole peas 'n corn involved time for soaking the peas, but once that was done, this one could be made in less than an hour. I followed her suggestion of topping the peas 'n corn with sour cream and then decided it was a great topping for the chowder, too. How did the family like them? My husband and I really liked the peas 'n corn, and our daughters ate it without complaining, but my son just didn't care for it. They are all three more accustomed to their vegetables being separated from other parts of the meal, rather than in a soup or stew form. I think with time that will change as they become more accustomed to it, but for today, that's honestly where we're at. Pretty much the same thing with the chowder, too. My inlaws and my husband and I really liked the texture and the mellow but full taste. I served it with sauteed vegetables and French bread, with the almond coffee cake for dessert. Now, the coffee cake everybody liked!

I do want to point out that the recipes in Introducing Whole Foods Cooking are written in a format that is a little bit different from most standard cookbooks. The ingredients are not listed at the beginning but are rather highlighted as they appear in the recipe. I'm really laid back, so that's not a big deal to me, but it is a little bit different. It does, however, make it imperative that you read through the recipe thoroughly before beginning to make it. I like to do things fast, and I like to be able to make something at the last minute. But with my Sue Gregg cookbooks, it's important and worth it to read carefully and follow the directions.

If you are looking for a great volume of recipes, one after the other, that's not what this is. Introducing Whole Foods Cooking is more about creating cooking habits that can carry over into the preparation of any meal and about sharing ideas and activities to make your table a place of praise and encouragement for all who gather there.

To learn more about Introducing Whole Foods Cooking, from Rich and Sue Gregg, head on over to their site here. That links you to a 38-page preview of the book. Like I've said in my other posts, try out some of the recipes she offers on her site if you're not sure if it's for you.

I know first-hand the challenges and adjustments involved in going from a conventional to whole foods-based diet. It does take more time, and there can be resistance from other family members. But it is so worth it, if you stick with it. This is not an all or nothing deal. Take small steps that you and your family can adapt to. Make meal preparation a family experience. When kids help make a dish, they are prone to be proud to eat it. And forget the notion that healthy or whole has to cost more! I buy very little processed food items and lots of whole foods, as much natural and organic as I can afford, and, honestly, since I just don't allow very many filler foods to be put in our cart, we don't spend any more than a typical American family does on conventional food items.

Back to the book.... look at the preview, test out some of Sue Gregg's recipes on the site, and talk to your spouse before buying the book. And if you do purchase it (it's $17 and comes with the power point cd), be ready to learn more than how to combine and cook ingredients--be ready to make your meal times something really special.

Freebie Alert!!!!!!

Who doesn't like freebies? Did you know that The Old Schoolhouse is offering an entire Autumn unit study and lapbook from Amanda Bennett right now? You can download this more than 80-page collection of activities and resources through the TOS store at: http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=145&products_id=12934

Also, why not subscribe to some of the newsletters TOS offers? They range from weekly freebies to doses of encouragement, wisdom, and support as we homeschool. You can even get two free weE-books each month. You can check out the different options in TOS newsletters here.

One more thing.....TOS also has an article that we'll all find encouraging on being a homeschooling mom. And at the end you'll find a code for getting the $7.95 TOS subscription rate through October 18. Click here to read the article and get the code.

Introducing Whole Foods Cooking....proudly!

A few months ago, I first reviewed a Sue Gregg recipe, the yogurt pie. Well, over the last few days, we've been mixing and baking and taste testing from Introducing Whole Foods Cooking for Health and Hospitality. What took me so long? Well, for one, each week I would put off veering from my normal purchases out of concern for how much more I would need to spend to try something different.

However, let me begin by sharing how just the opposite has been true. I sat down with the cookbook and a piece of paper and wrote down ingredients for each recipe I chose. I made out a menu for this week, with at least one meal a day coming from the book. Yes, there were several ingredients I don't normally buy or keep on the shelf, but even after buying all I needed, our grocery bill was no more than usual. Once that part was over and had turned out to be painless, I was excited to get started.

On Monday, we tested the seasoned turkey, fruit cole slaw with sweet mayonnaise dressing, and fruit shakes. On Tuesday, we moved on to the tuna bunsteads and 4-vegetable stir fry. Tomorrow, my plan is to make the country creole peas 'n corn, fruit cole slaw with sweet lite dressing, and fresh apple topping to go with the oatmeal surprise, while Thursday's plan includes the baked parmesan chicken and almond coffee cake. This review will be ongoing as the week progresses, but I think it's important to go ahead and start describing our experiences these first two days in order to give each recipe review clarity.

As with the yogurt pie my kids and I made, lunch yesterday was a joint venture. While I seasoned and browned the turkey, I assisted my oldest daughter in measuring and mixing up the fruit cole slaw and sweet mayonnaise dressing. We didn't start working on lunch until around 11 o'clock since we had our morning classes to attend to, but we still had it ready within an hour. Turkey....not long ago, I was still a ground chuck loyalist, but when my husband's cholesterol levels weren't as low as he expected, we eliminated beef from the meals we cook here at home. I'd been buying ground turkey and seasoning it like beef, but the recipe in Introducing Whole Foods Cooking included some ingredients I wouldn't have thought to add which gave it a much more vibrant, meaty flavor that just hinted at being tangy. Very easy but noticeable improvement. We layered the turkey with tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Our side was the fruit cole slaw, which allows for personal preference in the fruits you include. We went with a somewhat safe combination for our bunch here, apples, pineapple, and raisins. The dressing has a light, tangy-sweet flavor that went well with our choices and toned down the cabbage flavor. While the meat was a big hit with everyone, the cole slaw seemed to play better to the school age and above crowd at our table. Our youngest doesn't like too many flavors and textures combined and has to warm up to new combinations, so we'll see how he likes it when we make it later this week again.

The basic fruit shake is much like a homemade smoothy but a little richer tasting, I would say. So very easy to make and a healthy dessert to serve. Again, all but our youngest really liked it. I hate to admit that because it really is good, but sometimes these preschoolers just need a little time to get used to things. Sometimes they are just a little more set in their ways than we expect.

On Tuesday, we were especially busy as it was a field trip day, so I went with something that looked particularly easy, the tuna bunsteads and 4-vegetable stir fry. I am so glad I did, because it was both easy and delicious. The tuna bunstead recipe took maybe an hour to make, from the very beginning of prep till it was ready to serve. Forget what you know about those cans of tuna--this was good enough for a main dish and my husband remarked on how filling it was. It just doesn't get much easier than the 4-vegetable stir fry. I have to admit I have been in a rut with my cooking lately..... meat, a side vegetable, a bread, possibly dessert. The vegetables in this recipe just complement each other really well and, while I added no additional salt or pepper, this dish had such a vibrant flavor.

Like I said, tomorrow, I plan to try the country creole peas 'n corn with the oatmeal surprise and fresh apple topping.

So far, what would I say about this cookbook, Introducing Whole Foods Cooking? Here's the facts before my opinions. It's a softcover cookbook with a plastic protective sheet over the cover. Its features include:

• how we can use food and cooking to connect with others
• what scriptural applications can be demonstrated through the process of cooking and sharing food (While I have not found anything objectionable as I've read, I also know that only God's Word is infallible, so always test what you learn or read against what scripture says.)
• recipes that include main dishes, sides, breads, salads, and desserts
• information concerning shopping for whole foods
• nutritional information for each recipe as well as suggested menus for weight loss and maintenance
• explanations about foods we may not be familiar with as well as foods we are ignorant about but still may be using in our cooking
• an accompanying cd which includes photo instructions for each recipe as well as a semester curriculum and several Bible study components

This cookbook/cd set can be purchased for $17. Now, my impressions and opinions.

1. The nutritional helps and ingredient information alone are worth that much.
2. The curriculum is practically a steal and ties in Biblical study with learning to cook with whole foods.
3. The photo demostrations are what sets this apart for me. I need these as any cookbook can easily get the better of both my confidence and my skills.
4. As a mom and wife, I appreciate the Greggs' dedication to creating cookbooks with recipes that are nourishing and delicious and affordable. Like I said above, it cost me no more to buy the ingredients these recipes called for than it normally does to buy the same old same old.

Now, if you're just not sure you can afford $17 for a cookbook right now, here's a suggestion. Head over to the Sue Gregg website here. Choose a recipe to test, and read about their story here. Check out the cookbook previews they offer here.

I need to say this. If you just want recipes without a lot of helps and additional information, this is not for you. I have family members who would never look past the actual recipe pages, and that's fine, but that's not what this cookbook is all about. If you buy this cookbook, you are buying more than recipes for dishes. You get all sorts of extras, but you've got to take the time to read and to apply.

As I was telling my husband today, we've been eliminating things from our diet for several years, but I haven't been finding replacements at the same rate, so, to me, trying out these recipes is like a shot in the arm for my cooking skills. If you're needing your own booster or just a new idea, I encourage you to check out Sue Gregg's Introducing Whole Foods Cooking for Health and Hospitality. I'll let you know how the rest of our recipes go!

Learning with ebooks, Guardian Angel Publishing....

Guardian Angel Publishing. They offer books in ebook, cd, or print form. I chose The Sum of Our Parts: No Bones About It, Hamster Holidays: Noun and Adjective Adventures, Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair, Maybe We Are Flamingos, and Earthquake.

The Sum of Our Parts: No Bones About It

Our science curriculum this year is a journey through all the major body systems, so this one fit right in with our study of the skeletal system. It provided "factoids" and pictures of the major bones in the body accompanied by descriptive rhymes about each one. I printed this one off and used it in pieces, in our order of study, rather than in the order the pages were written. The ebook version is $5, which is appropriate, I think, but the cd and print versions are over $15 after shipping. This one is appropriate for all the elementary grades, and really all the way up, as the rhymes and illustrations could still be used in the high school grades to reinforce learning.

Hamster Holidays: Noun and Adjective Adventures

This one is takes the reader through the year with a bunch of hamsters, detailing their celebrations and highlighting the nouns and adjectives in different colors. I really like this one, as it makes grammar colorful and visual and entertaining as well. The author doesn't try to tackle more than the name implies, nouns and adjectives. After the story, there's a long section of lessons and activities, complete with keys, which reinforce learning and dig a little deeper into types of nouns, singular or plural, proper or common. With this one, we will only print the activities at the back, as it would take a lot of color ink to print the whole thing, but it's not a big deal to sit in front of the screen to read this in short portions throughout units on nouns and adjectives. And, at $5 for the ebook format, I think it's a good deal. I really like how it's color coded and doesn't try to teach more than young students can absorb about nouns and adjectives. The story and the learning objectives are on the same level, and I would say this is appropriate for preK-3. You can purchase this in cd and print form as well.

Andy and Spirit Go To the Fair

This is a book about a young man with disabilities who teams up with a horse who's a little different, too, to make a winning combination. Many of our children in the homeschooling community are involved in 4-H and county/state fair competitions, so they may feel that connection as they read and maybe even realize opportunities to reach out to others often considered different. This story deals with overcoming insecurity and bullying and the importance of seeing past differences. I think that for young readers, this one can give some insights into what it's like to deal with physical disabilities and still be a kid. This one is for upper elementary aged students as well the younger ones, too.

Maybe We Are Flamingos

Two young birds realize they're not like the older flamingos around them. Could they actually be something else? Where do they belong? In the end, not only do they get an answer, the reader gets a little lesson on flamingos as well. Younger (pre-K-3) readers will get so giggly at some of the pictures, but they'll also get the point.

Earthquake

This one was one of my favorites, as it contained several graphs, charts, and maps and really was the most informational of all the ones I've described here. The author, Susan Berger, describes what an earthquake is, what it can do, how it is measured, how long it lasts, and how to be prepared, in a way even younger students can understand. While many of the charts and graphs are more appropriate for an older reader, they provide quite a bit of background information parents and teachers will find interesting. There is a craft section as well, where directions are given for making pockets for emergency materials that can be kept within easy reach should an earthquake occur at night.

Okay, here's my take on all these. I think the ebooks are appropriately priced at $5. And I think many of us are getting more familiar and comfortable with the ebook format. What I like about this format is that I can pick and choose what I want to use and only print out that much, if I need to print it, that is. I personally would choose these over the cd or print versions, simply based on the price issue. And I can see $5 being a reasonable price for what you get. Most of the cd and print versions of the books above would run over $15 with shipping, and in today's world of internet-smart shopping and tight family budgets, that runs a little high, I think, for the level of books they offer.

Now, here's something that won't stretch those budgets. Guardian Angel Publishing also offers several freebies, including books and coloring sheets, which you can see and download here.

So, to learn more and make your own decisions, click here to visit the Guardian Angel Publishing site or here to read what other TOS Crew members have to say about these and other selections.

Check out these deals!

Okay, y'all, head over to Staples and get two packs of paper for $1 apiece after in store discounts and internet rebates. Even compared to Walmart prices, you're saving over $1.50 per pack. Speaking of Walmart, in the garden section of ours, I found a school supply clearance with unbelievable markdowns. I had to exercise some big time self-control as the bargain hunter in me wanted to go a little wild there. They also had lots of totes and containers marked way down in there, too. Oh, if you are thinking about the Sue Patrick WorkBox System, this would be a good time to get some supplies!

A Blessing In the Bread....

Okay, yesterday, I had a blessing I have to share because it sure made me think! I know most of you are like me and have noticed how weekly grocery items fluctuate in price, more often toward a higher amount these days. Well, yesterday, we were out of everything, I mean everything. After hitting several spots in town to get the deals I wanted, we pointed the van toward home. I was honestly feeling deflated by how much everything cost, just to feed my family. Then, I remembered that I forgot the bread. Ughhhhh.....the kids were tired, we were all hungry, and I had cold stuff in the van that needed to get home. So, I decided we could make a fast stop at the locally-owned grocery store on the way home, the kind you can still get in and out of in less than two minutes. Y'all, they just happened to have the kind of bread I like to get on sale! For over a dollar less than the other stores I'd been in! I'd say that my forgetfulness at the other stores was a blessing in actuality and a reminder that God always knows our needs and is looking out for us! May I daily be more and more aware of and thankful for the many blessings that come to me and mine!

A Science Magazine to Encourage and Uplift....Nature Friend (and its Study Guide, too!)

In a nutshell, Nature Friend is the Christian version of a kids' science magazine. In today's world, what is theory is pressed upon our children as indisputable fact, from museum exhibits to children's television programming to literature, so what a blessing to sit down with them with a publication that even says in its subscription information that it "upholds the principles of the inspired Word of God, high Christian family standards, Divine Creation (no evolution), and practical Christian stewardship of God's creation."

On all fronts, faith is being attacked these days. And the world of science is no exception. What is ironic is that this is one area that so naturally points to the existence and participation of a Creator. Nature Friend is one magazine that uses this connection to bolster belief with articles of how our Creator specially made and fit the world and its creatures.

Features include:

• vibrant photographs from nature of plant and animal life
• a "Learning by Doing" section to deepen student understanding through action
• articles that point out the handiwork of God in His creation
• language that elementary children can read and understand
• monthly features such as "You Can Draw", "Invisibles", and "WonderNose"
• a section for reader-submitted poetry and art in every issue
• reader-submitted articles
• a "Nature Trails" section in which readers describe or send in photos about what they're doing at certain points in the year

My class here and I like to take an issue out to the swing in our yard and read it cover to cover. We begin by stopping to find all the hidden objects in the "Invisibles" section and then move on to the various articles and features. They always get inspired by the artwork and poetry other readers have submitted and do their best to figure out the subject of "WonderNose" before it's revealed by the author. Their imagination is stretched and fueled by vivid language and photography that captures the designs on a turtle shell and the look in an owl's eye as he swoops toward his prey. By the time we finish an issue, we're more informed about and in awe of some aspect of the creation and more aware of its beauty and presence around us.

You can find out more about Nature Friend by clicking here to go to the website. There, you can find information about subscribing and subscriber testimonials. You can also see samples of some of Nature Friend's features. A one-year subscription is $36, and for two years, it's $68. They have a neat deal, that for every four subscriptions you buy, a fifth one is free, with the option that it can go to hospital children. Now, I understand and can totally identify with the notion that right now $36 is more than some families can afford for a magazine subscription. Just yesterday, I was shocked to discover our sandwich meat alone had jumped $1 in a week, just sandwich meat! Here's a suggestion--talk to the families in your homeschool group or coop and see if they'd like a subscription for the group library. Or go in together with one or two others families and share a subscription. Talk to your public library, too--what a blessing Nature Friend would be to the community! Also, until November 30, 2009, Nature Friend has a discount on new subscriptions. Use the code BLOG93 to save $3.00.

Nature Friend offers a supplementary Study Guide insert for each issue which is purchased separately. The Study Guide reinforces knowledge from the magazine articles through educational puzzles and activities and provides tips in photography and writing as well. It is an additional $2 per issue. It is optional and cannot be purchased without the magazine itself. Here's what I think here: Yes, this section is great, too, especially the segments on photography and nature writing, but if money is an issue, don't let the additional cost of the Study Guide keep you from purchasing the magazine. Perhaps later down the road you could add the Study Guide subscription.

In its 27th year of publication, Nature Friend continues to educate and encourage classes and families to see creation for what it really is--the amazing and intentional work of an awesome Creator! Check out what other TOS Crew members have to say here and head over to the Nature Friend site to learn more for yourself!