By Erin Odom, contributing writer

It wasn't long after I started my natural living journey that I realized that I needed to detox my laundry routine. Most conventional laundering supplies contain dyes, perfumes and many other toxins. 

At first, I simply began using a free and clear detergent. But even those are not quite as pure as they may appear.

The final push for me to fully detox my laundry routine was when I made the switch to cloth diapers. When I discovered that I needed to use a naturally-friendly detergent and skip on the stain removers, fabric softener and dryer sheets, I knew it was time for a full over-hall of my laundry routine.

Check out these 5 ways to detox  your laundry routine:

Image by brittreints

1. Switch to a natural detergent.

What to stay away from:

• optical brighteners, which give the illusion that fabric is whiter/brighter than it really is. These can actually cause build-up on your laundry and even cause skin irritations.
•  stain guards, which coat fabrics.
• a plethora of toxic chemicals typically found in laundering supplies.

Natural detergent recommendations:

• Try a homemade detergent. I don't currently make my own, as I have hesitations about using certain homemade detergents on my cloth diapers, but I have friends who rave about both the effectiveness and frugality of these non-toxic detergent alternatives. I recently put together a list of 5 homemade natural detergent recipes that I want to try. I also collect them on my "Homemade Cleaners" board on Pinterest.
• Use soap nuts. These are just about as natural as you can get! Soap nuts are berries that grow on trees in India and Nepal.  They contain large quantities of saponin in their shells, which acts as a natural, gentle detergent when it comes into contact with water.
• Check out this handy detergent determiner that rates an assortment of detergent brands for cloth diaper compatibility. It doesn't matter if you plan on using your detergent on diapers or not. You can use the tool to rate how non-toxic your current detergent is--or to rate any detergents you are interested in purchasing.
• Research laundering supplies in the EWG database, which rates just about everything under the sun for toxicity. The database has 678 entries in the laundry section alone!

Image by Violentz

2. Use natural stain removers.

My favorite stain remover is free and 100 percent natural--the sun! If I have a tough stain, I will hang the article of clothing out in the sun while it is still soaking wet. The sun usually bleaches it within a few hours!

You can also try:

• adding oxygen bleach (which is a great natural alternative to chlorine bleach) to the wash. Or,  dissolve powdered oxygen bleach in water and spray it directly on the stain.
• rubbing a bar of Fels Naptha soap directly on the stain before laundering.
• one of these 10 homemade, all-natural stain removers.

3. Ditch the fabric softener.

I've never used a liquid fabric softener. My mother didn't, so I just never thought it was important. However, I know it's a normal part of many laundry routines.

White vinegar is the perfect alternative to fabric softener. And not only does it soften, but it can also take the sour smell out of wet clothes that have sat in a washing machine for too long.

4. Forget the dryer sheets and use wool dryer balls instead!

Up until I started using cloth diapers, I always used dryer sheets. I would get the cheapest ones and cut them in half to make them last longer.

But when I started using cloth diapers, I found out the dryer sheets would leave residue on them. Plus, that residue was leaving toxins on our clothes, too!

I immediately switched to using wool dryer balls, and I've never looked back.Wool dryer balls can help speed up drying time, reduce some static cling, and, as an added bonus, wool is antibacterial!

I purchased my original ones from Re-Diaper.com, and I also have some from Mighty Nest. Mine have lasted for years. Many Etsy shop owners also sell them, or, if you're crafty, you can even try making your own.

(Can't bear to part with your dryer sheets? Give these homemade dryer sheets a try!)

5. Stop taking your clothes to the dry cleaner.

Traditional dry cleaners contain many potential toxins. I have always avoided clothes that required dry cleaning anyway--even before my natural living days. Back then, I just didn't want the expense!

However, there will always be some items that absolutely must be dry cleaned. Our comforter set is one of those items. Thankfully, we have an organic, non-toxic dry cleaner business in my hometown. If you don't, you may want to check into eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to dry cleaning.

What are your ideas for detoxing your laundry routine?

Top Image by ...love Maegan

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Mindy, contributing writer

Fluffy, easy, nutritious, delicious, and low-glycemic pancakes...what more could anyone ask for?!

These simple pancakes make a great breakfast when you have leftover quinoa from supper the night before. Quinoa is more gentle on your blood sugar than most other grains, and it also happens to be delicious! (Note: Quinoa is technically a seed, but it is commonly referred to as a grain.)

If you like quinoa then you will love these easy, simple pancakes. However, if you are not fond of the taste of quinoa then you may not care for these pancakes, because the taste of the quinoa definitely does come through.

Even if you don't like quinoa, though, I would encourage you to give them a try anyway - you might surprise yourself and end up enjoying a new, healthy breakfast treat!

Easy Quinoa Pancakes

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• 3/4 cups almond milk (any other dairy or non-dairy milk should work also)
• 4 eggs OR 3/4 cups egg whites
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• pinch of salt
• sweetener - optional (a few dashes of stevia or a few Tbsp. of sucanat, maple syrup, or honey)
• cinnamon, vanilla, flavorings of choice - optional

Method

• Place quinoa, almond milk, and eggs in a blender. Blend on high speed until everything is blended into a smooth batter.
• Add the baking powder, salt, and optional sweetener and spices/flavorings. Pulse blender a few times to incorporate these ingredients into the batter.
• The batter will be quite thick. Pour the batter onto a griddle that has been pre-heated over medium (to medium-low) heat into desired pancake size. Cook until the pancake starts to appear dry and is golden brown underneath. Flip the pancake and continue cooking until completely done and golden brown on both sides.
• Serve with berries and Greek yogurt or your desired toppings of choice.

Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite healthy breakfast ideas? Do you ever cook with quinoa?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Kate Tietje, Contributing Writer

There are homemade recipes out there for just about anything.  I have tried many of them over the last few years.

I consider myself a big "DIY-er" and I love to try anything I run across, or create my own recipe for anything I can.  Sometimes, it doesn't last past that initial experiment -- I really only do it that one time.  Other times, it becomes part of my normal routine and I do it over and over again.

Some things aren't worth it to me to "DIY" while other things definitely are.  Curious which are which...and why?

My Favorite Homemade Recipes

There are some recipes I come back to, over and over again.  They are so easy, often frugal, and usually something I use a lot.  Your favorites may vary, of course!  Everyone's needs are different.  I'm sharing what works for me.

Vanilla Extract

I do it a lot of baking, and in the summer we make a lot of ice cream.  I like things rich with vanilla, so we go through it pretty quickly.

Quality store-bought vanilla can be around $10 for 4 oz.!  That's pretty pricey.  Instead, I make my own.

I can make 4 - 5 bottles in 15 minutes (I do it every few months; I have two "sets" of bottles and one is brewing while I use the others), and I spend less than $2.50 per 4-oz. bottle!

It's easy. It's frugal, and I use it a lot -- all my requirements.  (Try this delicious, healthy vanilla buttercream frosting!  That's another thing I like to make.)

Taco Seasoning

One of the quickest meals at our house is taco salad.  We serve it with rice since we don't do corn now.

We don't use store-bought seasoning since it contains maltodextrin (corn) and often MSG and other yucky ingredients.  I make our own 20 - 30 lbs. worth at a time and store it in a mason jar in the pantry (that is -- enough to season that much meat, not that much actual seasoning!).

We use 1 - 2 tbsp. per lb. of meat, depending on how spicy we want it.  I also use it to easily season taco soup and chicken chili.  These are all really frugal meals!

Salad Dressing

The store-bought dressings are filled with soybean oil (we don't eat soy), corn and even MSG sometimes.  It only take 5 minutes, maybe less, to make up a bottle of salad dressing!  I have a go-to recipe for a simple Italian-style vinaigrette I make often.

Nut Butter

For a long time, we went without.  I prefer to soak my nuts to make "crispy nuts" first, which increases the nutrition and digestibility.  You can buy soaked nut butters from a couple places, but they are very expensive.  We're talking upwards of $18 for an 8 - 12 oz. jar.

I finally perfected it, and now I make almond and pecan butter pretty regularly.  It's a great and fairly inexpensive snack on bread or as a dip for veggies.  My kids like to eat it with a spoon, too.  One of these days I need to make chocolate hazelnut "butter" again (like homemade Nutella!).

Kombucha

This is the one fermented food we really consume on a regular basis.  We've been brewing consistently for three years now.  The kids all drink it, and the oldest probably even knows how to make it!  (She's 5 and not allowed to use the stove mostly, though, so she couldn't make the tea.)

It costs almost $4 to buy a 16-oz. bottle in the store, but just over $1 to brew a gallon of it at home.  There are lots of other fermented foods that I dabble in, but we don't consume them often enough for me to make them myself.  We usually buy pickles and yogurt even though I can make them.

My third baby, Jacob, in one of the cloth diapers. He was around 4 weeks old.

Cloth Diapers

I know -- not a recipe.  But I do make them myself!

I have sewed over 9 dozen diapers that are still in use.  I just put away the 3 dozen newborn diapers a couple weeks ago.  I cannot believe my fourth is already 10 weeks old!

I am not the world's greatest seamstress by any stretch, but the diapers are quite forgiving, plus, they're just meant to catch poop!  I spend $2 - $3 per diaper in materials, and each takes about 30 minutes to put together.

My oldest set is 4 1/2 years old and on their third child.  They have literally been in daily use the entire time and they are going strong. Plus, despite my lack of talent in sewing, most people think the diapers are professionally made.  That's always fun to hear. :)  (But it really isn't hard!  My pattern is available online free, and I also have a photo tutorial to follow.  There's a mama cloth pattern there too, which I also make.)

Magnesium Lotion

I love the idea of homemade body products a lot more than the reality.  I just don't usually use very many of them.

(I use a no 'poo system to wash my hair, and oil cleansing when I remember to wash my face, and basic Castile soap as body wash, hand soap, etc.  I need very few personal care items.)

This one, though, I keep coming back to.  It's a wonderful lotion to keep skin soft, but it also contains magnesium, which can get rid of headaches, help insomnia, soothe sore muscles and muscle cramps, and even combat morning sickness (and a lot more!).  It's my go-to "remedy" for anything and I use it on the whole family.  It only take 10 - 15 minutes to make a jar and that usually lasts several months.

Image by Jill Marks

Things I DON'T Make

There are lots of other things that can be made at home.  I don't make many of them, though!  I'll tell you why I don't -- but you might! -- and where you can find the recipes.

• Mayonnaise -- We don't like it and never eat it, so I don't make that!  You can make it in 30 seconds though, using healthy oils, so if you use a lot, it's worth it.
• Ketchup -- Although we like it, we barely go through a 24 oz. bottle in several months, so it's not worth it.  Again, if you use a lot, probably worth it.
• Laundry Detergent -- I like my soap nuts a lot,  so I see no reason to do something new!  Since everyone's water is different, homemade detergent may be a good option for you.
• Baking Mixes -- I haven't found any that will really save me time!  I don't do dried milk or eggs, so I still have to pull all that out fresh.  It only takes a couple minutes to get out the flour, sugar, etc. so why not do it as needed?  Or bake in large batches and freeze?  (I'm all about that!)  Try these quick and easy swaps to improve the nutrition in your favorite recipes!
• Sunscreen -- We don't use it.  Even though I have very fair-skinned children, they don't burn.  If we ever did need it, it would be so rare that I'd just buy some (probably Badger).  I do, however, make and use a sun lotion to try to decrease damage from UVA rays and increase vitamin D absorption from UVB rays.  I don't know how well it works yet as we've only used it a few times, but I like it so far!
• Yogurt -- Although it's fairly easy and my boys love it, I have just never gotten into the routine.  I think milk kefir is probably healthier, but I  haven't perfected that yet and my boys are iffy about drinking it (although they love the store-bought version...).
• Toothpaste -- I "know" I should, but I just sigh every time I think about it.  Try this recipe, based on baking soda, or this version, based on clay.  (We buy Earthpaste, if you're curious.)

I'm sure there are plenty more things I do or don't make that I'm forgetting right now...but these are things that are on my mind.

Which items do you always make?  Which do you choose not to?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

I just adore Greece and it's hard to pick just one photo to share (and honestly, I haven't even gone through 10% of our photos yet, this was just what I grabbed really fast for something to put in this weekend's post).

This is Santorini Island, Greece. It is as picturesque as I imagined it to be. Getting through the hordes of tourists with a stroller? Not so easy. But it's breathtaking, nonetheless!

This is the town Fira on Santorini. The top photo is of the town Oia.

Earlier this week, we were in Athens, exploring the fascinating National Archaeological Museum, as well as visiting the Acropolis. First, however, Caden showed us how he could kick some five-headed Greek monster's tush, courtesy of a street mural in downtown Athens.

The astounding Acropolis.

My little Greek philosophers, in front of the Parthenon (and silly me was so busy trying to pose them while Ry took the photo that I didn't even notice the lady in the background).

We rented a four-wheeler one day, for tooling around Naxos, the island we're currently staying on. The water behind Abbie in this picture is actually a brilliant turquoise, but our new camera editing software is giving me hassles (anyone know how to use Adobe Lightroom?) and so the color is dulled, as are the other photos a bit.

Let me tell you... there is nothing dull about the colors here in Greece, particularly of the sky and sea! They are so incredibly beautiful I could just stare out at them all day long.

This church, right at the port of Naxos, caught my eye as the sun set. Truly, you don't have to look hard to find beauty in this place. It will be with full but sad hearts that we leave Greece in a few days.

Links I loved this week:

one thing your daughter doesn't need you to say @ chatting at the sky. Thoughtful and right on. My daughter isn't a teenager yet, but this is advice I want to remember.

6 Ways to Avoid Using Paper and Plastic in Your Home @ A Delightful Home. Our family uses all of these ways, except one (but it's so easy that I don't know why we don't). Any guesses which one it is?

Strawberries & Cream Popsicles (Dairy Free) @ The Coconut Mama. These are very simple, and really similar to a strawberry coconut cream popsicle recipe of my own, except that these ones will inspire you with their prettiness. :)

Stressed out: The danger of obsessive nutrition @ thank your body. I think it's good to be reminded to step back and stop stressing about all of the nitty-gritty particulars of nutrition and what we eat. Yes, we want to eat real food and nourish our bodies, but ultimately (and this is where I would disagree slightly with the end of this post), our health is in God's hands, not ours, and we can simply delight in the good things He gives to us, like fresh spring asparagus, or the first summer strawberries, or golden-yolked eggs from a farmer, and appreciate them for the gifts that they are, not for this or that nutrient or anti-oxidant. Food ought to be enjoyed.

A Mom's Guide To A "Geek To Chic" Summer @ Inspired to Action.

God's Help Through Loss @ (in)courage

How to Make Homemade Calamine Lotion @ Everyday Roots. I tend to just use a simple clay-and-water combination (ie. hydrated clay), but this calamine lotion recipe sounds particularly soothing, and not difficult at all to make.

Build-a-salad bar for kids and how my five-year-old made dinner @ Simple Bites. I firmly believe that getting kids involved in the kitchen is the best way to set them up with healthy eating habits for life.

This week...

This is our second week in Greece, which will be almost over by the time you read this post. After 5 days on the mainland, we're been spending 1 week on Naxos Island, in the Cyclades group of islands.

Just touristy enough to have lots of fun options for food and activities and cheap accommodation, but slow and easy-going enough to be a really pleasant respite, we're enjoying Greek-island living here on Naxos. We also managed a one-day tour to Santorini, which is a place I've always wanted to visit, and it didn't disappoint. I'll definitely be sad to leave Greece in a few days. It is truly a lovely place, with warm and friendly people, incredible food, breathtaking sites, fascinating history, and a slower pace that I could get used to.

What I'm reading: I hadn't been reading much (except a few snippets of my hubby's copy of the 4-Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss when I was bored on a bus), just because I've been very exhausted lately and trying to use any downtime to grab cat naps rather than read. However, I just bought Love Does, which has been on my wish-list for quite some time and I'm looking forward to reading that on our next ferry and train ride.

What I'm doing: A mixture of getting out and enjoying the sites, smells, sounds and souvlaki of Greece, while alternatively caring for four sick kids. Our poor kiddos have been battling a nasty virus, one after the other, for the past two weeks.

What I've been making: Tzatziki, with greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh garlic, and cucumbers (you're supposed to shred them, but I rarely have a shredder in our rental apartments so I just peel and dice them finely). Combined with whole-wheat pita bread, this is such a simple and fantastic lunch on a hot day.

What I've been eating: Way. too. much. baklava. Thanks goodness we're leaving Greece to head to Italy next week (seriously... did I really just write that? How on earth is switching to Italian food going to help me in the slightest? The pastry and honey must be getting to my head.)

What have you been reading lately? I'm in need of some further inspiration, in particular, I'm looking for good fiction. Any suggestions?

Disclosure: This post includes an affiliate link.

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Natalie, Contributing Writer

We talk a lot on Keeper of the Home about how to be good stewards of the bodies God gave us by feeding them real food that nourishes. But how zealous are we in feeding our spirits with real food? 

Real Food vs. Junk Food

The Creator made us as integrated whole human beings with bodies, minds, and spirits, and He graciously provided us with all we need to be healthy. For our spirits He gives us direct access to His objective words through His gift of the Bible.

We don't have to figure out life for ourselves and come up with as many different opinions as there are people in the world. God already has it figured out for us. Since He's pretty wise, we can trust Him.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal. (John 6:27)

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

The Word of God is the only REAL food for our soul. It comes directly from the source. It is organic. It is pure. "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." (Proverbs 30:5)

But we like junk food, don't we?

The greasy, artificial colors and flavors are of the enemy and his lies. Junk food is cheap and readily available everywhere we turn. It's on our TVs, in our books and magazines, on our computers, in the malls, on the billboards, in our schools, and on our radios. And we're silly, sinful little Wemmicks. We crave it.

Junk food appeals to all our senses, and it temporarily satisfies us. But the fix soon wears off, and we end up reaping the short term consequences of sluggishness, heartaches, distraction, and self-focus—as well as the long term consequences of bitterness, sorrow, and lack of purpose in life. It's never worth it, but still, we struggle with its alluring temptation.

The only truly satisfying food for our spirits is the Lord, Himself. Just like we need to adjust our taste for wholesome foods, we need to adjust our spiritual cravings as well. "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34:8) "The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord!" (Psalm 22:26)

Supplements

God's Word is our meat and potatoes. But we can also benefit from supplements that help fill in the cracks of our understanding and wisdom. God has provided us with one another—the body of Christ—to encourage, comfort, and build us up in strength. I like to think of books, music, visual media, and blogs as supplements, too.

What kind of supplements are you taking in?

Are they merely fillers? Artificial and shallow? Or do they augment what God is teaching you through His Word? Do they encourage you to admire and pursue temporary pleasures and the stroking of your vanity— or do they spur you on to running hard after God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C.S Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Medicines

When life goes sour—and it does—what do you turn to to alleviate your suffering? Do you trust man-made, quick fixes and your own sensibilities to guide you toward restored spiritual health? Or do you turn to the Master Physician to heal your spirit? He knows exactly what you need. And when you need it.

He doesn't always work on our time table because He has a greater purpose in mind that will ultimately work for our good—and His glory. Sometimes He has to perform major heart surgery to bring us into a deeper sense of wholeness and spiritual health. His goal is our joy and peace. He knows that will only be achieved when we have surrendered everything to Him.

Milk vs. Meat

Mama's milk is the perfect food—for a baby. But would that same child be healthy and strong if, at age 10, he was still relying on milk alone to meet his nutritional needs?

"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" (I Corinthians 3:1-2)

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

As we build our relationship with Christ, spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer, immersing ourselves in Truth, embracing grace, and striving to walk in obedience, we will GROW strong and healthy!

Our character will develop. God will start smoothing out some of those rough edges. Our love and concern for others will increase. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and faithfulness will be evident in varying degrees.

Milk has its role in your life, but don't spend a lifetime living on it.

May God give us the power, discipline, and self-control to pursue the wholesome goodness and realness of Himself. Only then will we be able to fulfill the purpose for which He created us: to turn around and feed others—and to bring Him glory.

What do you do to help keep your family spiritually well fed?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Diana, Contributing Writer

A great kitchen garden begins with herbs.

Fresh herbs add flavor and freshness to a dish – they add color and vibrance.  Fresh herbs can turn the ordinary into something spectacular - like this eggplant bechamel.

Besides their wonderful flavoring to dishes, one of my favorite things about fresh herbs is how incredibly easy they are to grow at home.  Even if you've never started a garden before, or lack the space, growing herbs will make you feel like a master gardener!

That's because most herbs are perennial.

That means they come back year after year with absolutely no effort on your part. Some herbs can actually be invasive, like mint, so you'll want to make sure to plant them in an area that you don't mind them taking off.

Some of my favorite herbal perennials to grow are chamomile, mint, chives, lavender, dill, oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage, tarragon, and sorrel.  I have most of these growing in and around my edible landscaping at home; however, I plan on transplanting some of them to containers on my patio this year.

That's another great thing about herbs: you can plant them in ground or in containers.  If you plan on drying herbs to perserve, like chamomile, I'd suggest finding a good place for them in ground where you don't mind them expanding year after year.

If this will be your first year planting herbs, one tip to save you money on your herb garden is to take stem cuttings from established plants and propagate them at home.

That's right, you can simply snip a stem and plant it.  There's no need to pay for a plant when one stem will take off right away!

As you can see, growing herbs is simple.  As an encouragement, don't feel like you need to grow every single herb that there is.  Start with a few of your favorites, then expand your herb garden year after year.

5 Beautiful Herb Gardens to Inspire You

fivecentnickel.com

The Vintage Wren 

Camille Styles

miss stitch a wish

Savor the Taste of Oregon

Do you grow herbs?  Please share with us your favorite herbs to grow.

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Kresha, Contributing Writer

The summer holidays are just about to be upon us in North America and with them come summer barbecues. Oh, goodness, I love summer.... ::sigh::

With Memorial Day in the U.S. and Victoria Day in Canada just around the corner, summer picnics, pool parties, and backyard barbecues will soon be in full swing.

But as conscientious mothers and homemakers, there is a niggling question:

In striving to feed our families healthy, nourishing whole foods, we often focus on the big food items: the meat, the dairy, the properly prepared grains. However, what about the little things?

You may have the most delicious grass-fed steak burger on a sprouted or sourdough bun, but what about the ketchup and mustard? And what about the barbecue sauce for your grilled chicken or the relish on your child's hot dog?

Often, the store-bought versions of these condiments are laden with high fructose corn syrup, genetically modified ingredients, and preservatives. Even the organic ones sometimes have hidden ingredients, not to mention being expensive.

Thus, today, I offer a whole-food take on four of the classics: ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, and barbecue sauce. (If you'd like a mayonnaise as well, Stacy posted a lovely one a few days ago.)

I created these versions to be as similar to the store-bought versions as possible, specifically keeping in mind kids who may be picky about foods they don't recognize. Serve them in restaurant-style squeeze bottles or in empty condiment containers (like the mustard you just finished), and the kids won't even know they're healthy.

These recipes were originally published in Restocking the Pantry: Easy-to-Make Condiments to Help You Save Money and Nourish Your Family. See the deal we have on this month specifically for Keeper of the Home readers at the end of this post!

Easy Peasy Ketchup

Makes approximately 3 cups

1 1/2 cups tomato paste (learn how to make tomato paste from scratch)
3/4 cup raw honey
1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses (optional)
½ cup water
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 clove of garlic, finely grated
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. unrefined sea salt

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir together with a whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.

Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. You may serve the ketchup immediately or store in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.

French's-Style Mustard

Makes 1 1/2 cups

1/2 cup dry mustard powder
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 clove of garlic, finely grated
1 pinch smoked paprika
1 tsp. cornstarch or arrowroot powder

Whisk everything except the cornstarch together in a small saucepan until smooth. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring often.

About 1 minute before you want to remove the mustard from the heat, stir the cornstarch together with 1 teaspoon of cold water. Then, while whisking, pour the cornstarch into the simmering mustard. Let cook for 1 minute to thicken.

Remove from heat and let stand 1 minute to set. Pour into the serving container to cool.

Sweet Pickle Relish

Makes approximately 1 quart

1 1/4 lbs fresh pickling cucumbers, scrubbed
1 onion
3 tablespoons pickling salt or coarse Kosher salt (do not use regular salt, as the additives will change the color of the relish)
Ice cubes or ice chips
2/3 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup evaporated cane juice, coconut sugar, or honey
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1/3 teaspoon celery seeds
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 pinch ground allspice
1 pinch ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Coarsely chop the cucumbers and onion in a food processor or food grinder and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle in the pickling salt and stir so that the salt is well distributed. Place a tea towel directly on the surface of the cucumber and onions, then cover the towel with ice and let sit for 2-3 hours. Discard the ice and rinse the cucumber and onion mixture thoroughly.

In a large saucepan, bring the vinegar, sugar, and spices to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has reduced slightly, then stir in the cucumber-onion mixture. Stir well, spoon into jars, and let cool. The relish can be served immediately, but it achieves the best flavor after 2-3 days. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.

Bold and Smoky Barbecue Sauce

1 onion, coarsely chopped
2-3 tablespoons water
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons pure liquid smoke
2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil, melted
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place the onion in a blender with the water and blend until slushy. An immersible blender makes this especially easy. Strain mixture through a cheesecloth, squeezing it until you obtain 1/2 cup juice.

Whisk ketchup, onion juice, and other wet ingredients in a medium bowl, omitting oil. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in garlic and spices and cook until fragrant. Whisk in wet ingredient mixture and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the mixture thickens, about 20-30 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Let's Celebrate Summer with a Deal Just for Keeper of the Home Readers!

To celebrate the coming of summer, get "Restocking the Pantry" for half-price! That's just $4.99 for 57 recipes that will nourish your family. Click here to get the book and use coupon code "KOTHSUMMER". Good through May 31.

Have you ever made your own condiments? Are there any more unusual condiments you wish you could make at home?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

Johanna dancing at Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio, Greece. She is determined to dance her way across Europe's greatest castles, in her pink dress, of course. 

Links I loved this week:

You matter @ Simple Mom

The Cost of Being A Stay-At Home Mom @ Growing Home

So God Made a Mother @ A Holy Experience

Top 5 Herbs To Grow For Cooking & Medicinal Use @ Food Renegade

Free Vacation Bible School Curriculums: The Armor of God & The Fruit of the Spirit @ Money Saving Mom

Making the Switch from Nonstick @ The Marathon Mom

The Power of My Words in Relationships @ Visionary Womanhood

When Mom Has a Young Man in the Making @ The Better Mom

The ancient theatre at Epidavros... considered the best preserved in all of Greece. It's a marvel of technology, how you can hear everything that is said from the center of the stage, all the way to the top row of seats. 

This week...

Earlier this week, we arrived in Greece. I have wanted to come here most of my life, and so far, it has not disappointed! This week we're on the mainland. We arrived in Patras, spent 3 nights in Nafplio (and visited the theatre of Epidavros, as pictured above, as well as Mycenae, the site of the ancient runs of the Myceneans). We're currently in Athens for two days, and then we'll spend one week on Naxos island. We have one day to spend somewhere between the island and our ferry to Italy-- any suggestions?

It's so hard to put into words just what makes me love it here so much, but here are a few things:

• groves of orange, lemon and olive trees, everywhere.
• old men driving down narrow, crooked, cobble stone streets on motorcycles.
• ancient Byzantine churches, with domes of perfection, which lift up my gaze.
• pink, red, purple and white bougainvillea flowers, climbing over trellises, across fences, down drainpipes, over doorways, trailing off of patios
• tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, feta cheese, olive oil and vinegar.
• this curious group of people, who can yell into their cell phone in the middle of a public place, having an argument with an unseen participant, and then be so warm and friendly to us, or even turn around and coo at my baby as if nothing happened.
• baklava. pasty + nuts + honey. need I say any more?
• the aquamarine sea.
• castles on cliffs, castles on hills, castles on tiny islands.
• ruins on cliffs, ruins on hills, ruins in valleys, ruins randomly everywhere.
• delicious meat on a stick. is souvlaki not one of the greatest inventions ever?
• taking my kids to a hospital (they're fine now, just so you know) in a city that is supposedly the oldest city in all of Europe, and perhaps, in the entire world. my brain can't even fathom it (the city's name is Argos, and it has been continuously inhabited for about 7000 years, or so I've read).
• walking to the port to buy ferry tickets and stumbling on a market where I could smell the fresh fish and see the olives floating in barrels
• white washed buildings. what is it about them that we love so much?

Am I the only one who loves Greek food? Did you notice how many times it came up in my list? :)

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

By Kelly, Contributing Writer

Hosting a simple, yet elegant afternoon tea party is a delightful way to celebrate the special women in our lives whether it’s honoring our moms on Mother’s Day, hosting a bridal or baby shower, or just sharing a fun afternoon with good friends.

Simply dress up your table with some pretty linens and fresh flowers. And don’t be shy about borrowing extra china or serving platters from friends. Personally, I love the eclectic look of mismatched dishes and platters.

Keep the menu simple, yet elegant. A selection of assorted finger sandwiches pair nicely with tea. Lemon Dill Cucumber Tea Sandwiches (see recipe below), as well as egg salad and chicken salad are all traditional favorites. Another classic pairing with tea is biscuits or scones served with homemade jam and clotted cream.

For dessert, consider serving dainty treats such as little Lemondrop Cupcakes, Thumbprint Cookies, or Raw Cookie Dough Bites.

And of course, the most important part of any tea party is the tea! Set up a traditional tea service with teapots, cups and saucers, and a nice selection of tempting teas. Traditional favorites such as English Breakfast, Darjeeling and Green Tea are all delicious. For a special touch, consider creating your own unique tea blends such as Rosy Black, Lemon Tisane, or other Health-Boosting Herbal Teas.

Afternoon tea is all about simple pleasures – a time to sip tea, relax and enjoy a memorable afternoon together. It truly is a wonderful way to honor and appreciate the special women in our lives!

Lemon Dill Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

(serves 3-4)

4 oz. cultured cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh dill (or 1/2 tsp dried dill weed)
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 English cucumber, peeled and sliced thinly
6 slices of your favorite wholesome bread

1) In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, blend together the cream cheese, dill, lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Then, season to taste with salt and pepper.

2) Cut crusts off the bread (reserve for making breadcrumbs or another use). Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture on each slice of bread.

3) Layer the cucumber slices among three of the bread slices. Add a few sprigs of fresh dill, if desired. Top with the remaining three bread slices. Slice into quarters on the diagonal and serve. (Or cut sandwiches into pretty shapes, using a favorite cookie cutter.)

Have you hosted an afternoon tea party? What are your favorite tips and treats for making it a memorable affair?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.

1. Plant a picking garden (I recently came across this idea on - where else - Pinterest... and I am in love with the idea, thus it wins the number one spot on my list!)
2. Stone soup (container + water + dirt and rocks, etc.) served with mud pies, of course!
3. Picnics
4. Tag
5. DIY sprinkler out of a pop bottle
6. Paint - the fence, rocks, paper taped to the house, themselves...
7. Finger painting and feet painting
8. Cloud watching
9. Camping
10. Help tend the compost
11. Raise backyard chickens
12. Nature scavenger hunt
13. Draw what you see - a leaf, the clouds, your house, your foot, the grass...
14. Listen to music; lay in the sun
15. Popsicles (these blueberry-yogurt ones look amazing - but go for the full-fat dairy!)
16. Trampoline
17. Soccer
18. Sandbox
19. Watering plants
20. Fairy garden
21. Build a fort
22. Tea party
23. Bug catching
24. Sidewalk chalk (lots of DIY recipes on Pinterest!)
25. Bug races
26. Catch fireflies
27. Low balance beam
28. Identify plants in a book
29. Hopscotch
30. Reading
31. Stacking tower
32. Set up an obstacle course
33. Dirt pile. Not to be confused with a sand pile, of course. There is a definite difference - just ask my four-year-old son.
34. Swingset, jungle gym, etc.
35. Bonfire with roasted hotdogs and marshmallows (the moderately healthy versions, of course...)
36. Drive-in theatre - hang a sheet and project a movie onto it when it’s dark
37. Parents play too - if you join your kids in any of these activities, I guarantee you'll make their day.
38. Stargazing
39. Reading nook
40. Make and hang a birdfeeder, then watch for birds while in your reading nook
41. Make and bury a time capsule
42. Spread out a big blanket and take indoor toys outside
43. BBQ and eat it outside
44. Have breakfast outside in your pajamas
45. Gather a bucket, hose, and sponges and wash your bikes (dump trucks, balls, deck, etc.)
46. Water table or wading pool play
47. Create a nature table to display special nature treasures you find
48. Croquet or Bocce ball
49. Badminton or T-ball
50. Catch
51. Horseshoes
52. Create a map of your yard
53. The quintessential science project: the vinegar and baking soda volcano
54. Backyard bowling (use items around the house like cereal boxes, spaghetti jars, etc)
55. Play dough
56. Backyard Olympics
57. Paint a white sheet hung on the fence as a canvas
58. DIY bubbles
59. Play with scissors
60. Pizza on the grill
61. Ice cube paint
62. Go garage sailing; then enjoy your new find in the backyard.
63. Read them a chapter book while lying on a blanket.
64. Water fight
65. Make and eat watermelon cookies (slice the watermelon and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes)
66. Water balloon pinata
67. Pool noodle race track
68. DIY zip line for toys
69. Make a water wall
70. Wading pool with water and plastic balls
71. Throw paint-filled eggs at a canvas
72. Bury some treasure and mark it on your kids' map for them to find the next day
73. "Badminton" with balloons and rackets made from paper plates and popsicle sticks

Still want more ideas?

There are tons of Pinterest boards that you can follow; just type "backyard activities" in the search bar. You might wanna grab an iced coffee and a comfy chair first, though. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

I've begun collecting ideas on my Summer Bucket List Pinterest board. If you're a homesteading family, then check out this great list of 22 Activities for the Country Toddler or Preschooler.

What's on your Backyard Bucket List?

We love our sponsors:

• Plan to Eat: Plan To Eat was born from our desire to eat real food — great food — prepared at home, together as a family. Plan to Eat is an online menu planner that uses your recipes, scheduled for the days you want them, automatically generating your grocery list, organized the way you like to shop. Eat well. Eat together. PlanToEat.com.