Book Review: 15 Minutes Outside Rebecca Cohen

I have been reading some really great family living or parenting books (if you would) lately!  One of the things that has been difficult at times in my house is getting Aidan outside everyday.  We love spending time outside, but let's face it, being sick last year and the beginning of the year hasn't helped that much, and Aidan's long commute to NH to school, one hour round-trip for him, and two hours for me sometimes makes it hard to make that extra effort to get outside.  I gotta tell you, it was a lot easier at the old apartment being on the first floor to spend time outside while supper is cooking, in the back yard playing or watering our garden.  Also, now that Aidan is in first grade we don't get home until about 4, which isn't that bad, but I am surprised at the amount of homework first graders get!

So, in an effort to acknowledge the fact that we needed some new ideas to get us moving to Create More Time in our busy days to just get out there, I ordered a book written by Rebecca Cohen, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids.  Rebecca's book is great!  It organizes activities by season, and by month, so it is easy to pick up and find a good activity for the current season, without having to read through the whole book!  I got the book a few weeks back, and decided to put my plans into action!  Rebecca mentions her kids getting up a bit early to enjoy some play time outside before school.  What a great idea!  A nice way for Aidan to move around and wake up before our long drive to school.  I figured if he got the wiggles out before school started, maybe he would be more focused in school during his morning classes.  We have a great park right on our street that is on our way to school!  It's the perfect spot for morning play time!  I can't wait to try some of her other simple, fun ideas, and I think you should order her book too, if you are looking for new inspiration!  You can find out more about Rebecca on her site, Rebecca Plants.  She has a ton of great resources, including her own tv show called Get Out of the House!  On her site you can download a checklist of 50 Outdoor Activities Guide For Busy Families.  You can find the free download here 50 Outdoor Activities download.  Here are some pictures of our fun outside before school!  Enjoy!

I'm King!

Practicing his reading skills!

We have such a beautiful view overlooking the water.  Aidan was so relaxed.  It was so nice not rushing around last minute out the door, and straight to school.  I made sure he knew the night before that if he got dressed and got his stuff together, I would make the time for him to play outside before school.  I never saw him get ready so quick.  It helped to have his clothes ready the night before, but you know how kids are for an adventure they will be ready in a flash!

There is no playground at this park.  The area above, Aidan enjoys feeding the ducks and fish.  We will be getting him a fishing pole soon!  You can see how little rain we have had lately by looking at the next pictures.  Last time we were here, Aidan couldn't cross the smelly Swamp!  He enjoyed using a stick to push around in the mud, and get his rain boots wet, but on this day he was really excited to be able to cross what a few weeks before was a swamp.  It made for a very educational conversation on our ride to school, and Aidan got started off to a great day!

Salem New Hampshire Farmer's Market Part 2

We had so much fun when we attended the Salem NH Farmer's Market, that I couldn't get everything we saw and enjoyed into one post!  While we were waiting for Jamieson of Brookford Farm to set up his table, we went inside, and checked out some of the vendors in there.  You could smell fresh waffles cooking in the waffle iron.  I told my lil guy that they were selling "Waffles on a stick" AKA Waffle Lolly's!  They are made my a sweet woman named Christine, and her business is called Want Waffles, and that link will bring you to her Facebook page.  She was running a special for children ages 6 and under could get one for $1.00!  Aidan enjoyed maple syrup and powdered sugar on his, and he thought it was fantastic! 

While Mom was checking out the other tables, the music had just started up, and the guys are suckers when it comes to Blues and Jazz!  Poor Howard Stith had just started playing, and Aidan wanted to be front and center.  Howard is a great guy and we all enjoyed his music.  Actually, Aidan enjoyed it so much that that is where the guys stayed until Mom was done shopping and chatting!  I thought Howard was great,  He plays what he refers to as "traditional 12-string blues and roots music", "Songs from Mother's knee and other low joints."  In between songs Howard shares stories, jokes and anecdotes, and it draws you in and makes you want to hear more.  He is out of Dover, NH.  He did have a CD available for only $10.  Aidan wanted a bit of Howard's music to take home with us.  It was definitely worth the price.  Aidan has CD's at home, Dan Zanes, etc, but this was his first non-kid CD.  When Howard heard this, he breaked after his song, and autographed the cd liner for Aidan!  We have been listening to that CD non-stop since, whenever Aidan is in the car! 

By this time, my bags were getting heavy, and my camera was in some pocket.  I made my way over to the busy table that Hurd Farm, a family farm from Hampton, NH were selling their "Naturally raised meat, the healthier choice for you and your family"!  
Here is a little bit about them found on their site:  "We were a dairy farm that has transitioned to locally raised all natural meats and poultry. The Hurd family has owned and operated the farm
since 1923.
Today we raise all natural grass fed beef and chickens and Heritage breed pigs.
Our meats and poultry are fed an all-natural diet with no added antibiotics or other
additives as growth stimulants. Our animals are provided access to green grass
and sunshine on our farm's 160 acres.
We offer the best home grown beef, pork, chicken, and eggs to our customers." 

 The Hurd family was very friendly, and they told me that they have a meat CSA, as well as selling their great products at local markets.  If the line at their table was any indication, I knew we were in for a treat when we made our pulled pork!  I purchased a Pork Butt and pound of nitrite free bacon.  The next day the Pork Butt went into my crock-pot!  And the end results......Wow!  Melted in your mouth!  Aidan is a pulled pork fanatic and he thought it was the best!  

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the finished product.  I did not have my camera handy.  


We saw many other vendors that day, all had some great stuff available.  The Salem, NH Farmer's Market is definitely worth visiting.  


One thing I have enjoyed about our participation in CSA's, farmer's markets, and visiting local farms, aside from supporting my local community, is that my son is learning where his food comes from.  I think he is starting to get that the food we buy at the farm, and market or receive in our CSA is not anything like they sell in the grocery store.  I want to thank all of the small local businesses that keep on trudging, even though the economy is getting more and more difficult.  Makes us want to spend more of our dollars closer to home!  Have a great Easter, Passover or whatever you believe in!  May you have a great time with your family!


Kellie & Family!

 

Ristorante Pizza Bzz Agent Review!

I am a member of a great product, sampling, testing program called BzzAgent.  Every now and then I will get an email from them to see if me or someone in my family is eligible to test a new product.  This time we were asked to test Ristorante Pizza. 
Let me just tell you, the flavor selections had me salivating...I mean really, two free pizzas to try, from the most popular frozen pizza company in Italy, the pizza capital of the world.  They really are delicious!  They have six different flavors and are 10" pizzas.  They cook up nicely right on the rack creating a nice thin, crispy crust.  After thoroughly enjoying both the Mozzarella (fresh mozzarella, sun-ripened tomatoes, and zesty pesto sauce) and the Spinach (with spinach, mozzarella and a delightful garlicy sauce), we cannot wait to taste the:
Pizza Funghi (mushrooms, mozzarella, tomato sauce, parsley, and oregano),
Quarttro Formaggi (4 cheeses, edam, mozzarella, emmental, and blue cheese with basil seasoning),
Vegetale (tangy tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, chiles, and sour cream sauce), and finally the
Speciale: (Pepperoni, cooked ham, and spicy herbs).  With the beautiful pictures and the mouth-watering descriptions, who can blame me.  I seriously miss my deep freezer.  These are great to have on hand on nights you really don't feel like cooking, and are made from high quality ingredients.  Definitely better than calling in for pizza or pulling through the drive through! 

If you live in my area they are on sale at Market Basket this week for 2/$5.  Great bargain!