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Mama's Song: Joy in the Morning Light
May. 7, 2007
I'm Moving to Blogspot
Over the last year that I have been blogging, I've wished that I could do more with my blog's appearance, but I have not known how to do anything, due to my kindergarten level computer skills. The last few months I have been thinking about what I could do, and have considered moving my blog to blogger.com. Yesterday I went there and decided to experiment with setting up a new blog. I have to say I was very pleased with how they have things set up, and I was able to set up something that I am quite excited about. I was able to change many things just by pointing and clicking, without knowing a bit of html. I am able to have my own photos on the top and on the side, and I look forward to changing them through the seasons.
So with that, I must inform you that I am moving to Blogger. I have really enjoyed being here at homeschoolblogger. com. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine was what got me started blogging here. I really appreciate the nice community they have set up for homeschoolers. I enjoy reading other blogs and meeting women who love God and are dedicated to loving their husband and children.
I hope you make the move with me. Go ahead and update my address in www.bloglines.com or whatever RSS feed reader you use, so that you know when I've made a new post, and come take a peak at the new look of my blog. http://joyinthemorninglight.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Joy |
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May. 6, 2007
Emily Rose is Blogging
I promised my daughter that when she started writing blog worthy entries in her journal, that I would let her have her own blog. Well, she has done that, making good progress in her abilities to express herself in writing this year. So I am pleased to announce that she has a blog of her own now. Please stop by and welcome Emily Rose to blogging. www.homeschoolblogger.com/akidslife
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May. 4, 2007
Of Colds and Computers
Good news. I'm fighting off my cold with lots of time in the sun and weeding. It seems to be helping, because I think I'm almost all well. How's that for a home remedy? I've got a huge amount of weeding done. I can now walk on my garden path. New weed cloth has been applied, and wood chips are starting to be laid. They will be finished on Sunday.
More good news. The computer parts arrived this week, and my husband has been working hard connecting, downloading, uploading, connecting, installing, reinstalling, and now he is trouble shooting. I've been completely computerless for the last 2 days, but that meant more time in the garden. And now, at the end of the Friday, I am finally able to get back online and let you know that I should be able to post photos again real soon. Except we just discovered that photo library didn't transfer from the old to new hard drive. I think that should also be solved real soon though. I'm getting excited. Thank you to all you readers, both known and unknown who have been patient with me over the last few weeks.
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May. 2, 2007
Who's Responsible for our Children?
Sometimes the responsibility of motherhood comes heavy upon me. I wonder how I can raise Godly children in today's world. All around us the devil has set up traps to catch the attention of our children and draw them away from God. It seems that the temptations focus on young people are stronger then before.
Thinking of this, Jesus brought a promise to me during my quiet time with Him this morning. Isaiah 29: 22-24. It is a wonderful promise.
"No longer will Jacob [mothers?] be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. When they see among them their children, the work of My hands, they will keep My name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction."
Our children are the work of God's hands. God is more responsible for the outcome of my children then I am. I am only a tool in God's hands. God says that the wayward will gain understanding, and the complainers will stop complaining and accept instruction. He is so good. I rest in Him today. |
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Apr. 30, 2007
New Word: Huggle
This morning I've been feeling pressure in my head from a newly acquired cold. I felt more like lying down then sitting up to listen to Forest read to me. I thought Forest could lie down beside me on the couch and he could still read. But Forest would have nothing to do with this new way to read. He said, "No Mama. I would really rather huggle when we read."
New word: Huggle. Verb. When a child sits close to his mom and she puts her arm around him while reading books.
Have you huggled a child today? |
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Apr. 27, 2007
Weeding the "Lovely Garden Row"
This week is going by very fast. I'm still waiting for computer parts. It sounds like my new used keyboard won't arrive until middle of next week.
I thought I might blog more old photos, but the yard has been calling me every day. Even though weeding isn't their idea of fun, I want the kids to be working out with me anyway. I want them to learn that weeding can be fun. And also, they don't have to be ruled by their feelings.
Feelings are normal. I have lots of them. As a woman I often think in pictures and feelings instead of words. But I have learned that my mind can be ruler over my feelings, so as to dictate my actions and reactions. And that if I allow God to do so, He is eager to renew my mind (feelings?) for me.
My kids have very strong feelings. What they feel, they really feel, and they aren't afraid to express it, since they are also very extroverted. But there are so many times when feelings can't see the whole picture, and the mind needs to look things over and help in the decision. Sometimes feelings just focus on the negative part of the picture and ignore the positive parts. Feelings can remember a past experience and jump to a conclusion that the next experience will be the same, even if it won't be.
My kids would like to be free to do what ever they want to do whenever they want to do it. This sounds like fun. But it isn't fun, when the messes pile up, others feelings are hurt because we are thinking only of ourself, or the weeds grow so high that you can't find the flowers anymore. Then the work of digging out from the results of lazyness is more difficult, then if they had done the work in the first place, putting things away as they go, and so on.
Sometimes work is simply that, work, hard work. But I am learning that in most things, there is usually something fun or enjoyable, if you can use your mind to get past your feelings, and look for that joy. And then if you can convince your mind to stay there, and not go back and start wallowing in negative feelings that may even be imagined, not based on the reality of the situation.
So, I've been trying all kinds of methods to get my kids to enjoy weeding with me. First of all, I'm not sending them out to do it alone. Even I can wilt when I have to do a large job alone. I'm out there setting the pace, providing the tools, and encouragement. Next, I keep reminding them that while we are out weeding together, they have my full attention. They can tell me stories, share their latest ideas, or be silly. My ears are there for them.
Today I was weeding in what I call the rose bed. It is a long strip by our parking area that has rose bushes, daffodils, and coral bells. I was trying to maintain some happy chatter, because they kids weren't really with me yet in spirit. There was murmuring and complaining to equal that of the children of Israel. Poor Moses had it bad, because he had many more then two children to get through a hot dry desert. Can you imagine all those complainers? Even the grown ups were complaining.
I was especially enjoying the coral bells. They are sending up pretty stalks of buds almost ready to bloom. As I pulled grass, and weeds away from them, I felt like I was setting them free. How happy they must feel. If they could ring their bells, surely they would ring them with joy. I started playing with words about the coral bells, out loud, of course, in hopes it would catch the attention of the kiddos. Sure enough it did. It wasn't long before we had composed a song about our coral bells ringing their bells that required the kids to echo what I was singing. It worked. The focus was taken away from their bad feelings and new, better, happier feelings took their place.
"We'll set the Coral Bells a ringing, ringing, ringing.
We'll set the Coral Bells a ringing
In our lovely garden row.
Ding dong. (Ding dong).
Ding dong. (Ding dong).
Ding dong. (Ding dong).
In our lovely garden row."
We made up a verse about the daffodils dancing in our lovely garden row. Then a verse about the roses perfuming our lovely garden row. But of course, we couldn't stay serious long, and my son made a verse about the sprinklers squirting in our lovely garden row. It is very simple music, but it was about what we were doing, and we were making the music ourselves.
Only about one third of what I wanted to get done was completed. One part of me is disappointed. I'd like to be able to look out the window and feast my eyes on my lovely garden row all weeded. But maybe there was some higher weeding that needs to get done. Weeding out the negative feelings and developing good character is a part of education that gets overlooked. And when else do I take the time to compose original poetry and music with the kids. We had a fun bonding time. And because we have more work to do, I have more days to enjoy with my kids in the spring sun, and more chances to work on character growth.
How does the weeding go with you and your kids? |
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Apr. 22, 2007
The Weekend
My husband has been busy today gathering parts from the four winds, including his office, a local store and maybe now even Ebay, attempting to put together a new computer set up for me. For all these years, of computer use, I've mostly used Apple laptop computers. They are seemingly simple, everything contained in one little box, that I can carry with me somewhere if I wanted to. This new set up has a big box to go under my desk, a separate DVD player, speakers, keyboard, mouse, a hub, wires, cords and more cords. And there is probably some other external part that I don't even know about yet. I don't know if I will have any desk space when I'm done donating it to computer parts. But hopefully, they will all work when he is all done with the process. I don't know what I would do, if I didn't have my dear husband to take care of computer issues. Hopefully somebody would have pity on me and save me from technology.
Yesterday a group of kids from five homeschool families joined together and sang at church. It was our first time to do this, and we were given only one week to practice. Somehow I ended up as director. I can sing, but I've never directed a group of kids. We sang the old song "More About Jesus I would Know." The first and second verses really fit what I think about one of the main purposes of homeschool. Ath the performance the kids smiled, focused, sang clearly and knew the words. I was really proud of them. Somehow the kids did a wonderful job, in spite of me. I guess all you need is a good group of kids. Makes me kind of excited to think about doing something else with them. I think some of them are even old enough to learn parts.
Today it was raining when I got up. I had planned to start in the garden early, but the outside work got shifted to the afternoon. When I got out there, I found the tomato starts I set out on Friday afternoon thriving, maybe looking even better then they did when I first set them out. I need to do some more work in the vegetable garden, but decided to pull weeds in the flower beds while the soil was soft. I pulled and pulled and sent Forest to dump repeated wagon loads of weeds to the appropriate pile. There is still much to finish, but I was satisfied with what we accomplished. Part of the garden path is ready for wood chips. I moved some yarrow to the end of the driveway, where hopefully it will continue to thrive as a more intentional weed, crowding out the star thistle that loves to grow there. My little herb garden is now weed free, and a few new perennials have been planted. If all goes well, tomorrow I'll be out there too. I'm looking forward to more garden fun with the kids. Emily Rose wants to help haul wood chips for me. Forest wants to haul more weeds to the pile for me. And I want to get more weeds pulled for him to haul. |
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Apr. 21, 2007
My Thai Friend
I just discovered that on this old computer, I have access to some old photos from back when we first started using digital cameras, and fancy camera to two megapixel photos.
I thought I'd introduce you to my Thai friends. The last time I saw her was almost 5 years ago, about the time I took this photo. The first time I met her was about 16 years ago, or so, when I was fresh out of college. I had gone to Thailand to work for a couple years. She was a secretary at the language school where I worked part time, and she was really nice. I had an apartment nearby and so did she. I had a kitchen, and she didn't. She would just go out on the street and buy some food every day to eat. This isn't as bad as it sounds, because you can get good food for cheep out there. It is what lots of people do there. But she was also a good cook and could make many wonderful Thai foods. I wanted to learn how to cook Thai style, so we would go to the market. She taught me how to shop, what different foods were, how to bargain, and how to get the right bus back home. I would pay for the food. At my apartment we would make a feast, and invite people over to eat. It was so much fun! We really had a good time together.
Many years later, when I married, we went to Thailand for our honey moon, and I was able to see her again. Then when my first baby was born, I gave my little sweetie her name. Once, she even was able to save up enough Thai baht to fly to the United States! She knows lots of people here, because of her job at the language school, but she chose to come and stay with us. We gave her the best time we could, and of course, we cooked Thai food together, and had a feast, inviting over people to eat with us.
All these years later, she still works at the same language school. She is older, but so am I. It has been 5 years since I saw her last, but every year, I long to go back and see her. The only problem is now all of us need full price airline seats and that's quite a chunk of money for a one income family. |
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Apr. 20, 2007
Thoughts
I am finding that blogging without photos takes less time. It is quite a process to get photos downloaded, edited, exported, uploaded, and inserted. I love seeing what I am talking about, but maybe this is going to challenge me to write more descriptively, and save me time.
My friend Shereen at w8ng4him commented that it has been hard to make comments lately on my blog. I think this is a homeschoolblogger.com problem as she mentioned. The website keeps bringing up blank pages. I've been experiencing that when I try to edit a typo out of my blog. So, unfortunately, the last three entries have mystery typo for you to search and find. Hopefully, I'll be able to to correct them though, before your eyes even see them. But if I can't you will know why.
I want to work like a crazy woman on my garden today. I'm on my way to the store to get some soil amendments for my tomato beds. It is Friday, but the weather is perfect for gardening, and I've got baby tomato plants that are going to stress or die if I don't get them in the ground soon.
I am working on a Baby quilt for my new niece who was born six weeks early. I hope to finish it soon too. I'll post a picture of it when I am able. My husband might have a "new" older computer up and running for me this afternoon or on Sunday. I'm getting hopeful.
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Apr. 19, 2007
Thursdays Tidbits
It is hard for me to blog with out the photos to illustrate what I am talking about, but I'm going to try. I don't know how much longer it will be until my dear husband has time to work on my computer issues, but I'm going to try to be happy while I wait.
This morning the kids got their school work done before breakfast, as usual. This has been working really well for us. Usually every morning they will watch a math DVD to go with their Math-U-See book. But since the computer is down, so is the DVD player. I let each of them choose something else to do in place of math, and they enjoyed that activity so much. Both of them chose to work in the Art workbook. Both have a different Berry Stebings Art book, at different levels, of course. I am glad for them to work in those books. I think art really stimulates the mind.
After breakfast, and a little house work, we went to the library and sat and read stories. They close at noon for an hour. We were having so much fun that we forgot about it. The librarian had to come find us and ask if we wanted to check out books before we left. Yes we did. Both kids left with a stack under their arms.
We stopped at the store and picked up more bananas. The kids wanted to go eat at the wonderful little deli across the street. I enjoy going there too, but it's hard to leave there with less then a $15 bill. I mentioned the cost to the kids and wondered if they wouldn't enjoy looking in the grocery store for something special instead to go with their lunch. We came out with a box of gluten free/dairy free cookies, and box of fresh strawberries, to go with the mashed avocado on Corn Thins that we would eat at home.
Have you ever had Corn Thins before? They are made of puffed corn and similar to rice cakes, but thiner, and crispier, more like a thick cracker. I like them so much better then rice cakes. They are wonderful with many different toppings.
We also stopped at a garage sale, and for $1 my daughter found some old wheels to use on the go-cart she is hoping to design. We got my husband some irrigation pipe for my husband to use for moving water underground out to our garden area. He is planning to put it on a timed sprinkler system for me, separate from the one on the lawn. As it is right now, the lawn has to be watered as often as the garden does. The garden needs it every day, because it is on the hottest side of our property. So the lawn is over watered. Once it is set up, I will also be able to water different parts of my garden for different lengths of time also. I think this is going to be a good improvement to the system. |
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Apr. 18, 2007
Hard Drive Struggles
| I'm sad because the hard drive on my computer is struggling. This morning it appears to be on it's last leg. It was fully backed up at the end of December, so I won't loose everything. My husband thinks we can save the most important things. Until he can get things repaired, replaced or restored, I will be using an old, very slow computer that the kids do a few things on. I can access my blog, but I don't think I will be able to put photos on it. I know that if I never had a computer again, I could live without it, but I would truly miss it. |
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Apr. 16, 2007
My New Tablecloth
I was able to finish a sewing project last night. This is one I've been wanting to do for quite a while. I have decorated my kitchen in a grape theme, to remind myself that my fruitfulness only happens when I'm connected to the Vine, Jesus my Savior.
  This part of the kitchen has been done for quite a while. I've really enjoyed it.
There is a tiny little table in the kitchen that we use if just a couple people are eating, or the kids are working on a project or assignment while I'm taking care of something in the kitchen. This little table is has a damaged top, but looks fine with a table covering on it. I've had fabric for making one since I bought fabric for making the valences, but haven't made the table cloth until yesterday. I've just put up with a blue one that I've had. There was nothing wrong with the blue one, except that it was the only blue in the kitchen. But now that has been taking care of the kitchen feels so much better, so much more together.
I've got it covered with a piece of clear thick vinyl from the fabric store, so I can have something pretty in the kitchen even though I still have a seven year old boy. I cover the table cloth in the dining room too. On special occasions, if we have company, I'll take the vinyl off, and then the table feels real special.
Behind the table you can see a wall rack with my aprons hanging from it, and a matching bag. I stuff empty plastic grocery bags in there. It is fun to have a little coordinated color around me. Most of my things are old, mismatched, or made by children. These things are fine, but a little coordination brings peace to my eyes and mind. And wipe clean table does too. |
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Apr. 16, 2007
Forest's Tree Frog
Since you saw Forest's drawing of his tree frog, I thought you might like to a photo of the real froggie. He was crowned "Specific Pacific". And now he is "King of the Coral Bells," because on Sunday we had Forest set him free back where he was first found. I was sensing that he was feeling a little stressed. We had placed in a 10" x 20" fish tank with a screen lid, and tried to make him feel at home, but it probably felt more like jail to him. Forest fed him every fly he could find, be they seem scarce in the spring. He still has some things to learn about being really faithful with keeping the water dish filled and fresh. He was sad to seem him hop away. But I am so glad he could still hop. I don't think I could have consoled Forest, if froggie had died in captivity. I don't think I could have consoled myself for letting it happen. We have already had more then our share of pet deaths on various sad occasions. So I was glad we could watch Specific Pacific hop off to find his own flies. |
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Apr. 16, 2007
Mom Is Strong and Well
My mom and dad were able to come for a visit this past weekend. For those of you where are following my blog, you will know this is really good news. This means that my mom was strong enough to make the trip. She was quite excited to come. She came in strong with tears of joy in her eyes. She looks good, and we are so very glad, praising God for what he has done for her. We had a nice time together the whole weekend.
At home it was decided that she wouldn't work full time again at the deli. They had already figured out how to do fine without her. She goes in for only about an hour a day and takes orders during the lunch rush. She picks up groceries for the deli, runs errands, and walks every day.
We are praying that someone is going to come and buy the deli soon so mom and dad can be fully retired and free to move closer to us. (Want to buy a great deli?) |
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Apr. 14, 2007
Our Weekly Walk
Apr. 14, 2007
More Scenes from our Weekly Walks
Apr. 12, 2007
Copywork Breakthrough
We are experiencing a learning breakthrough today. I'm so excited. My son, Forest, has been plodding along doing drawings and copywork in the Draw Write Now. Some days he balked, there were tears on other days, but most days he did manage to complete a drawing and some copywork. My goals were that he would gain skill with the pencil, become more familiar with the formation of words and sentence formation, and would learn to form letters more correctly. I have seen these areas improving, but wondered how long we would have to keep it up until he could realize that he could write on his own also.
Well, it happened to day, much to my surprise. I strive to have the tools for learning easily available at all times for my kids. Yesterday Forest asked me if tomorrow he could draw a picture of his pet frog for copy work time, and make up his own copy work. He would have me write it down and he would copy it. Of course I gave an immediate "Yes!"
For the first time in weeks he eager to get started with copywork. Drawing his hoping frog was a challenge, but he persevered, and it turned out great. He brought some paper for me to write his copywork on and then quickly finished his work. I was thrilled! But the excitement didn't stop there.
Later, after breakfast, he got out our white board and started drawing. I didn't stop him, because he was doing good work. He drew his frog again and asked me how to write, "I like frogs." He copied it down as I spelled to him orally. Then he made a copy of his work on paper.
I remembered an old book from a garage sale for small children. It is like a simple spelling dictionary. There are common words children would like to use, with a nice color drawing beside it, to help them find what they are looking for. It is small enough to make it easy to handle. It doesn't have everything, but it has enough to keep a curious child busy. I got the book out for him and showed him how to find the words that he might like, looking for their beginning sound. He wanted to find giraffe. He quickly drew a giraffe on the white board and wrote. I like giraffes.
A camel and a sea turtle followed. Each was copied onto paper for his notebook.
He was so happy with his accomplishments. And I am so happy too. I'm happy that my child is learning, and in an environment where there is time for learning explorations. If my children were off at school, I would have missed this special learning milestone.
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Apr. 10, 2007
Spring Activities
We are already in the midst of a very busy spring quarter. I'm finding it hard to blog regularly. Here is some of the things we are doing.
*Swimming lessons twice a week - This is one of the kid's favorite times of year because of these classes. We have been taking lessons every spring for around 5 years or so.
*Piano lessons once a week - It is hard to faithfully practice with all the good weather and fun activity of spring, but we keep working at it. Improvement does show over time.
*Ham radio class once a week - My husband really wishes that I had my technician level license so I could operate a little two meter radio. I wouldn't mind being able to operate one, but I've never been able to motivate myself to study on my own. But he does know I am a faithful class attender. So, he started a class that meets once a week. There are several other families attending together, women, children, men college students. I"m guessing there are around thirty people who are coming! It is the first time I've ever been in a class taught by my husband. I've heard he is a good lecturer, but now I know for myself that it is true. Unfortunately, I'm not one of his brightest students when it comes to remembering frequencies, electrical terms and formulas, and regulations. Somehow I think that if my daughter could pass the exam when she was nine, surely I could pass. But that is still yet to be known. At least I'm a faithful class attender. And I haven't fallen asleep yet while I was there. I hope that counts for something. I think I am supposed to study out of class too, though, and when I tried that, I did fall asleep. The formula for voltage could not hold my attention.
*Once a week we are going hiking in the foothills of the nearby mountains with a 79 year old friend of mine. She is the one who had the heart attack just a few weeks before my husband. She isn't supposed to go out by herself anymore, so she has been trying to get people to go with her. Most people don't have time during the day when she likes to go. At first I didn't think we did either. Then I remembered that we homeschool, and hiking in the mountains is a perfect P.E. class. She also is full of knowledge about the names of the ridges, peaks, valleys, and rivers around us. I am glad for the exercise myself. I think I am going to start carrying a loaded backpack for the training value. Maybe I will be a better backpacker this summer. The kids are sure eager to go backpacking.
*Every week we meet with some friends for a small group Bible study. Right now we are studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Two teen girls have a special program for the kids. They are studying Christian stewardship.
*My trio practices every week. We are working on a couple new songs. We really enjoy singing together, but we also look forward to sharing together and praying for each other. In fact, if we aren't careful, we could spend the whole time doing just that, and forget to sing. Our practice is really just a good excuse for good friends to get together. I've noticed that if women don't make an effort to do so, life gets too busy for friendships. My friendships really bless my life.
*I'm also attending a class about herbs and health. I'm really enjoying this class very much. My daughter is coming with me and we are learning much. I'm really interested in learning to use the healing properties of plants. |
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Apr. 10, 2007
Raw Lemon Bars
I have a delicious recipe for you, and this time it is not a salad, but rather a wonderful dessert, perfect for tea parties or anytime. It is vegan and gluten free and uses all raw ingredients, but is not weird. It is a treat that anyone would love.
My friend invited a few friends over for tea. I was thrilled to be able to bring a plate of these to share.
Raw Lemon Squares
From Everyday Wholesome Eating … In the Raw by Kim Wilson
Crust Ingredients:
1/2 cup dates, pitted
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup walnuts
3/4 cup almonds
3 Tbsp honey
3/4 cup shredded coconut
Pinch of sea salt
Topping Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup dates, pitted
3/4 cup walnuts
1 tsp psyllium powder
zest of one lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
Pinch of sea salt
Prep:
Pre-soak dates and walnuts listed under topping ingredients for at least 2 hours.
Crust:
Process almonds into a meal in food processor. Process with the rest of the crust ingredients into “dough.” Press into an 8” x 8” pan.
Topping:
Process topping ingredients in food processor until smooth. Spread onto the crust. Sprinkle top with coconut. |
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Apr. 1, 2007
Eating Out
Some have asked what we eat when we are traveling. It probably seems too simple to just say fruits and vegetables, so I'll explain a little further for those who are interested.
We used to stop at Taco Bell, thinking it was fine food, beans, and veggies, tortillas and such. We'd get bean burritos without the cheese, or tacos minus the meat, and cheese, add beans. We'd tell them to make it "fresco style" and they'd add a "fresh" tomato salsa. It was quick and easy and didn't require much thinking ahead. But after looking up the ingredients of their products on the internet, my husband says we can't afford to eat there. It would kills us in the long run. I know he's right. I heard someone say last night, "Do you want your food with nutrients or without nutrients." Well, when you put it that way, I guess I do want them with nutrients, even though it is a bit more work for the mama. Where do we get our nutrients? Yep, in the produce section of the grocery store, even when we are traveling.
We left with a well stocked ice chest, and lunch bag. I took my favorite seasonings, and some nuts, lots of fruit, lettuce and salad ingredients, some pre-cooked dried beans, some soaked and ready to cook, and some still dry to process later in the week. I took some organic brown rice. I took some homemade gluten free bread, and a few other things I thought we might need.
On the way to our destination we opened the ice chest and pulled out a pre-made salad for each person in a little Glad container. Big ones for mom and dad. Smaller ones for the kids. Each person's favorite toppings were already added. Then there were oranges and Fuji apples to choose from. Water was available for those who wanted it. We enjoyed the view at a mountain rest area while we ate. Much more pleasant then the crowded press and noise in a Taco Bell. Every one was filled and nourished. I did have to make the salads before we left, but really it didn't take that long, and it took less time to eat then waiting in line at a "fast food" place. (I think that may be an oxymoron. Since when where they fast, and I'm learning that the food value of such items is suspect.)
At our cabin we made salads, ate beans, rice, and baked sweet potato fries. I even made an oil free curry one day because I had brought my spices with me. We at potatoes in several forms. I had my vita mix along so we could eat smoothies to our hearts content. I brought some fruit with us from our freezer at home. It was part of the "ice" in the ice chest, which I then put in the freezer in the cabin refrigerator. We usually had them once a day. We can't do that as easy when we are camping, but in a cabin it was easy. Yes. I do have to plan a bit ahead. And yes, it does take some time to prepare meals, but I'm sure we were always done in less time then it would take to drive someone where and find a place to eat, and then wait for the food to be prepared. And I know we finished with a clearer head then if we had gone some where to eat fatty rich food. Also, it is much more affordable to eat out of the ice box.
As soon as our supply of lettuce was low, we headed into town and found a grocery store. I know what kind of produce Safeway and Albertson's have, and the prices they charge, so I usually look around for a store that might have a bigger selection or cheaper prices. Some towns even have stores that sell only produce now. They are wonderful to find. In Oak Harbor we found this Saar's Marketplace. It was a great store. The produce was great for a small town and the prices didn't cause me to have a heart attack. I always take the kids and husband in with me if possible so they can have a say in what goes into the cart. I tell the kids to find what they'd like to eat out of the produce section. That way they think they are in search for a treat.
Even my husband thought he was putting treats into the basket. They were all thrilled that we got pineapple. I always travel with a sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board, so no matter where I am, we can cut up what we need to eat. It is also nice to have a small dishpan for washing produce as needed. I didn't need it this time because the cabin had a sink. But when camping a pan to wash produce in is very important. I keep a supply of Ziplocks in various sizes and disposable containers to put prepared food in, or left over food in. Also, I don't use many paper towels at home. I mainly use hand towels and wash rags in the kitchen. But when traveling the roll of paper towels stay near the front seat with me for easy clean up. A supply of grocery bags help too for the peels, and the trimmings. Mmm! The pineapple did turn out sweet and delicious! We should have bought four instead of just two.
Sometimes produce can seem expensive, but when that is the main thing we were putting in the cart, it doesn't turn out that bad. Really! Chips and pop and junk food add much faster then produce, and when you are done eating them, you still need a meal. We can buy a whole basket of produce for the price of a trip to a nice Thai food restaurant, and that is just what we did! I'm sure it didn't cost much more for us to eat away from home, then it did to eat at home.
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