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Book Love

60 Family Books for Advent Season

November 21, 2015 by Jackie Ritz 3 Comments

There are so many great children’s books that you can read with your children during this coming Advent season and so many treasured classics that never go out of style. I want this blog post to excite you with the possibility of sharing wonderful literature with your children this Christmas season and to give some suggestions on some classic books for Advent.

As you probably know, I’ve posted earlier in on my Facebook page about the fantastic idea of wrapping 25 books for Christmas and putting them under the tree on December 1st. That gives our family the perfect opportunity for allowing the kids to choose one book each night during the Advent season for us to read together as we cuddle near the tree sipping on warm cider and anticipating the birth of our Savior.

So get ready to make your own chosen list of books, hopefully finding some among the ones I’m sharing in this post, and create some wonderful 2015 Advent memories with your family. I’m including the following ideas for you.

  1. Ideas for easy books for toddlers and babies
  2. Ideas for preschool to elementary level books
  3. Ideas for books for older children 
  4. Ideas for books for everyone
  5. Ideas about traditional Christmas classics
  6. Ideas for creative ways to share these books with your family

1. Ideas for easy books for toddlers and babies

Lift-the-Flap Nativity by Juliet David – Children can enjoy learning new things about the Christmas story in Lift the Flap Nativity, with flaps to open on every page and surprises to discover behind every door.

Merry Creature Christmas by Dandi Daley Mackall – Little Star, Big Bear, the proud, white mare and all the bluebirds sing and join the forest creatures dancing everywhere. The pictures tell the sweet story of the forest animals having a Christmas party celebrating Jesus.

The Little Drummer Boy illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats – Keats drew lovely illustrations to go along with the old song. Another book you can sing!

Claude the Dog: A Christmas Story by Dick Gackenbach – Christmas would not be complete without this adorable story with its simple reminder of what really matters at Christmas (friends and family, not the gifts). 

The Animal’s Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum – The sing-song words in this young toddler’s book are sure to catch your children’s attention, especially if they love animals.

2. Ideas for preschool to elementary level books

The Perfect Christmas Gift – Part of the God’s Little Princess Series by Sheila Walsh, which teach little girls great lessons about being a daughter of the Highest King. In this book, Gigi, as usual, knows EXACTLY what she wants … but finds that being a little surprised, like the Christmas shepherds, is OK too.

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones – Each page shows and tells about different aspects of our world—the wind, the trees, the animals, and the stars. The anticipation builds until at last Jesus is born.

Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer – Humphrey is hilarious as he describes the injustice of his life as a camel. And then Humphrey finds himself on a journey … and that maybe things weren’t so bad after all. 

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado – Joshua the lamb can’t keep up with the other sheep and feels left out … but finds himself in a special stable.

Katy’s Christmas Gift by Bernadette Watts – Katy sets out in the snow to visit the new baby born in the innkeeper’s stable. She is bringing gifts: a loaf of bread, her cat Sasha and, most importantly, her favorite toy—a wooden bird whistle. But Sasha doesn’t want to play in the cold snow, and the animals of the forest eat the bread. Soon Katy’s carefully chosen gifts are gone—except the most special one of all. 

A Calf for Christmas by Astrid Lindgren – It’s the last day of school before Christmas and snow is falling heavily. Johan heads to school on his sled, but he can’t stop thinking about the terrible thing that happened yesterday—his family’s only cow died, and they have no money to buy another. The rich farmer Peter Jonsson has come to town today for the Christmas market. He buys a calf then, after spending some time in the local pub, loses it on the sleigh ride home! When Johan heads out to clear snow, what does he find?… Maybe he’ll have a happy Christmas after all.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston – The Armistice has been declared, but still there is no sign of Ruthie’s father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski – Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson – The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale—the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating—has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

The Crippled Lamb Hardcover by Max Lucado – In this timeless bestseller, readers experience the tender love God has for those who feel alone and different. Joshua was a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and play like the other lambs. But God had a very special plan for Joshua’s life, as He does for all who feel alone. 

3. Ideas for books for older children

The Candle in the Window by Grace Johnson – This one is long, but it’s a beautiful story of a German cobbler who remembers the true meaning of Christmas as Christmas Eve passes. 

The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin – Carol Bird, a Christmas-born child, who as a young girl is unusually loving and generous, having a positive effect on everyone with whom she comes into contact. The book is a wistful moral tale about a saintly child, but is enlivened by many humorous scenes.

The Story of the Other Wiseman by Henry Van Dyke – Often retold as the tale of the fourth wiseman, and even turned into a movie, this is an unabridged version by the original author, who also penned the words to the Christmas carol, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. 

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas – This special edition is beautifully illustrated. It can serve as a precious guide to help recapture the sacredness of the Advent season and to help the entire family understand and celebrate the epic pageantry of humankind from Adam to the Messiah.

The Old Shepherd’s Tale by Christopher Nye – An old shepherd shares the stable with his animals on the night Mary and Joseph arrive and give birth to the infant Jesus. The shepherd sees the greatness of these beasts—and shares that vision with us in this story that goes straight to the heart. For all ages.

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry – In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. A gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: selling her long, beautiful hair. Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine store.

4. Books for everyone, all-ages

Some of my personal favorites that are “twaddle-free.” If you are a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, like me, then you understand that this simply means that these books are classic, undiluted, and do not undervalue the intelligence of the child. 
 
If you ever see these books at a used-book store, you snag these books up in a heartbeat. They are literature gems that your children will love (and so will you). 
 
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson
The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
The Tough Winter by Robert Lawson
The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens
Cole Family Christmas by Jennifer Bryan
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Christmas Remembered by Tomie de Paola
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Christmas Spirit by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur
The Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas
God Is in the Manger by Deitrich Bonhoeffer
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie
The Wee Christmas Cabin of Carn-na-ween by Ruth Sawyer
The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean
An Orange for Frankie Patricia Polacco
Stars over Bethlehem by Opal Wheeler
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
The Friendly Beasts: An Old English Christmas Carol by Tomie de Paola
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
The Gifts of the Christ Child by George MacDonald
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Hunt
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck
Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacoo
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Becky’s Christmas by Tasha Tudor
Jothem’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide
Angel Mae by Shirley Hughes
Merry Christmas Ernest and Celestine by Gabrielle Vincent
 

5. Ideas about traditional Christmas classics

The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter – The Tailor of Gloucester was first published in 1903 and tells the story of a poor tailor trying to survive in his freezing workshop over a hard winter. He has a terribly important commission to complete for the Mayor of Gloucester’s wedding on Christmas Day but is ill and tired, and before long is running out of food and thread, as well as time! How will he possibly complete the beautiful coat and embroidered waistcoat? Luckily, there lives in the dresser, some very kind and very resourceful mice who set about helping the poor tailor with his work. Not only are they exceedingly helpful, but they are also, luckily, far far too clever for the tailor’s sly cat, Simpkin.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long – This well known Christmas song deserves lavish illustrations, and this edition exceeds expectations.

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman – The tale of Nutcracker has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share. Maurice Sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Christmas production of Nutcrackerand created even more magnificent pictures especially for this book. He joined with the eminent translator Ralph Manheim to produce this illustrated edition of Hoffmann’s wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (picture book edition) (Chronicles of Narnia) – A picture book retelling of C. S. Lewis’s classic story for the youngest fans! Now younger children can share the magical experience, entering into a world of enchantment that will forever lure them back. Four adventurous siblings step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter—but never Christmas—cursed by the power of the White Witch. Only Aslan, the Great Lion, can reverse her wicked spell.

 Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus by Francis P. Church – In 1897, a young girl wrote to The New York Sun asking whether Santa Claus truly existed. The paper’s response, written by reporter Francis P. Church, has become a beloved holiday literary tradition. An original approach to a children’s classic, this captivating book creatively reinterprets that heartwarming letter about the truth behind Santa Claus and Christmas. It is accompanied by charming Victorian artwork. Joel Spector is an artist and illustrator known for his elegant pastel images. 

6. Ideas for creative ways to share these books with your family

There are many ways to extend your family time with these books beyond the simple reading of the book. Try some of these ideas with your family: 

  • Advent is the time before Christmas when we anticipate the birth of Jesus. It begins the Christian year. Learn more about the Christian year, and why or why not people follow it. (Helpful Info)
  • Compare the stories in different retellings of the the Christmas story with the biblical versions of Christ’s birth. (For more help) 
  • Learn about Christmas celebrations around the world. Find out how people from other countries have brought their celebrations to their new homes in North America. (Need a suggestion?)
  • Try serving different snack and holiday foods from other cultures during your family advent time. (For more help)
  • Add a time of making Christmas crafts to your family advent time. Then take some crafts and your favorite books to a local nursing home or hospital to read the book and share the crafts with people who may be lonely or sad at this special time of year. (For more ideas) 

Don’t miss the wonderful opportunity of sharing the advent season of 2015 by making family advent memories that your children will remember for the rest of their lives! This blog will get you started—but don’t stop here; go and make your own lasting advent memories.

60 Family Books for the Advent Season

Sources

  1. https://books.google.com/books?id=bIhLDFY6g1QC&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dq=best+children%27s+books+for+advent+season&source=bl&ots=AXTUq2QMtJ&sig=3IfEe6f4cZanKL7xs5zIWZOteuM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CIABEOgBMAU4CmoVChMI6Ze0hOPiyAIVSakeCh3uawvY#v=onepage&q=best%20children’s%20books%20for%20advent%20season&f=false
  2. https://www.jessieweaver.net/2012/11/25-jesus-centered-christmas-books-to-celebrate-advent/
  3. https://trinaholden.com/the-ultimate-list-of-advent-books-for-kids/
  4. https://www.waldorfbooks.com/christmas-and-advent

Filed Under: Book Love, Homeschooling, Natural Living

Friday Book Love: Natural Homestead 40+ Recipes for Natural Critters & Crops

October 25, 2013 by Jackie Ritz Leave a Comment

I have been drooling over this digital book coming out and it is finally here! The Prairie Homestead has put together a incredible resource of over 40 recipes for homemade chicken feed and treats, natural pesticides, herbal supplements, non-toxic barn cleaners, herbal salves, DIY fly sprays, and TONS MORE!

As soon as I downloaded this book I printed the WHOLE thing out. I’ve been so confused as to what to use on my chickens, what to feed my goats, how to care for my barn, and what is safe to use in my garden. I want to have a natural homestead but there is NOT ONE book on all this. Now there is!

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This book is perfect if you are:

  • Tired of feeding commercial feed to your chickens that contain GMOs, antibiotics, and processed by-products like feather meal
  • Struggling to create a natural environment for your cooped-up flock
  • Battling pests on your homestead because you refuse to purchase chemical pesticides that contain toxic
  • Feeling discouraged because chemical dewormers are no longer working
  • Wishing you had some home remedies on hand for when your critters get cuts or scrapes
  • Giving yourself a headache when you try to disinfect your coop or barn with bleach
  • Want to utilize essential oil in your homestead

 Why a Natural Homestead is Important:

I personally have felt terrible because I’ve been so focused on creating a natural environment in my house that I have neglected to create a natural environment in my homestead. My chickens and goats shouldn’t have to eat crappy commercial feed while my family and I are eating locally grown organic food. That’s just not right!

Did you know that:

  • Parasite resistance is a very real problem as many chemical deworming products are simply no longer effective due to overuse???
  • Not only do some bagged chicken feeds contain bizarre ingredients and even added antibiotics to the feed???
  • That the popular herbicide that everyone has sitting in their garage has been linked to tumors in animals, DNA damage, cancer, endocrine disruption, and physiological disorders in crops???

What I Loved Learning from this Book:

  • I learned how to put a natural supply cabinet together with stuff I can find at the feed store.
  • I learned how awesome diatomaceious earth is.
  • I learned that that pumpkin seeds, garlic, baking soda, vinegar, and kelp are more than just old wives’ tales but they are very beneficial to a natural homestead.

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  • I learned that essential oils (I use these) are extremely important to a homestead and can be used countless ways around your farm or house and even directly on your animals.

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  • I learned how to mix up grain-free, corn-free, and soy-free feeds for my flock!
  • I, also, learned how to battle bugs without using toxic chemicals on my garden.

See how much I loved this book…I printed it out and have highlighted and tabbed it all up!

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Wanna see a free preview? Click here! 

 click here to purchase!!!!

 

Some Chicken Recipes You Will Love:

FOUR different chicken feed recipes including a grain-free option, and a corn-free and soy-free feed for both layers and broilers

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Deworming Cookies

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Bordom Buster Block

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Some Recipes for Your Girls in Milk:

Udder Balm

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Teat Dip

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Other Pest and Garden Recipes You Will Love:

Bug Be-Gone Garden Spray

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Fly Spray

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Get these and so many more when you order this digital book TODAY! 

Still not convinced you NEED this book? The Prairie Homestead gave me permission to share a recipe with you! Think of this recipe as a giant granola bar for your chickens. This block is a wonderful way to alleviate boredom in your flock!

Boredom Buster Block

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups scratch grains
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 3/4 cup wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup raisins or cranberries
  • 1/2 cup crushed egg shells or oyster shells
  • 4 eggs + shells, crushed
  • 3/4 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil, tallow, or lard

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Mix the eggs, molasses, and coconut oil in a separate bowl.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well.
  4. Pour your mixture into greased pans
  5. Bake for thirty to forty-five minutes at 400 degrees. You may need to bake slightly longer if you are using a deeper pan. The block is ready when the edges have become dark and the middle is firm.
  6. Allow to completely cool. Serve it to your chickens.

NOTES:

  • I was able to fit this entire recipe in one eight-inch round pan. But you could also divide it between two pans to help it bake more quickly, or use 2 nine-by-five inch loaf pans.
  • This is not meant to be a substitute to your flock’s regular ration
  • Feel free to play around with the ingredients to see what your birds like best.

 click here to purchase!!!! 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Book Love, Homesteading, Natural Living Tagged With: book, chickens, cows, goats, holistic livestock care, homesteading, natural chicken feed, natural homesteading, natural teat dip, natural udder balm, urban farming

Well Fed 2 Releases TODAY! My Favorite Paleo Cookbook!

October 22, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 3 Comments

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Melissa Joulwan, Paleo blogger from The Clothes Make the Girl has CRUSHED it again with another incredible cookbook, Well Fed 2, More Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat. I’m not kidding when I say her first WellFed cookbook was and is and always will be my favorite cookbook. I have sent hundreds of people to her website because I just LOVE her. I love her cooking style. I love her international recipes. I love all the spices she uses. She is incredible and we (the Paleo community) are so lucky that she is creating all these delicious Paleo recipes.

Well Fed 2 is just as good, probably even better, than the first. Wanna know what I love about it: 

  • If a book can have Feng Shui – this one has it. It’s so easy to read and it flows.
  • Each recipe has variations that she calls, “You Know How You Could Do That?” She tells you how to “Spice it Up” or how to use a different meat or vegetable in the recipe. This, in my opinion, is awesome. She takes one recipe and makes it 3, or 4, or 5!
  • On each recipe is a “Tastes Great With” and she recommends a few other recipes from the book that it might taste good with.
  • The Table of Contents is all on 2 pages! No flipping, no searching…it’s all right there in front of you. As a cook, I love this!
  • This cookbook is great if you are doing the Whole 30. Melissa doesn’t “Paleo-fy” desserts because she is more interested in helping you eat well every day. There’s a few fruit recipes that are great for a dessert, but no muffins, cookies, and cakes. My kind of gal!
  • She talks about what Paleo is, and emtional hunger vs. true hunger.

Wanna know what I love about the recipes?

  • Each recipe tells me the serving size, prep time, and cooking time. I can easily find a recipe that will fit into my schedule.
  • They have intense flavor. Melissa has a very internationally developed palate, which I, absolutely, love. You won’t find boring salt and pepper recipes in this book. You will find a diverse cuisine that will open up your taste buds and have you questioning why anyone would think Paleo is boring!
  • I love the Burgers, Balls and Bangers section. It is inspired by different sausage, meatballs, and burger cuisines from around the world. There’s like 18 recipes in this section that you can whip up in less than an hour and they are a healthy and quick protein to grab when you are hungry.
  • Did I mention that I love that she keeps it simple? She does not Paleo-fy recipes!!! This is great for someone like me who doesn’t really make much Paleo desserts or baked goods. I think that keeping it simple is the best way to eat.

Recipes that I Love:

We made the Pina Colada Chicken which was amazing. This recipe uses her homemade JERK seasoning (pg. 82), chicken, onion, peppers and coconut milk. It makes a delicious sauce that you just want to drink!

I, also, LOVE the Better Butter recipe (pg. 60)! In this recipe you are infusing butter with all kinds of spices and making Ghee out of it! Ghee is clarified butter that has all the milk proteins removed. It is, also, Whole 30 approved and many who can’t have dairy, can, safely eat Ghee. Melissa let me share this recipe with you!

If you would like to order this amazing cookbook that JUST released today, you can get it on Amazon for 33% off today!!! 

>>>Click here to grab Well Fed 2 now! <<<

Better Butter (pg. 60) 

Photo Credit: David Humphreys
Photo Credit: David Humphreys

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound organic, pastured butter
  • 1/4 small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and smashed 2 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 or 2 small dried chiles
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom pinch ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Place the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a bubble. When the surface of the butter is foamy, add all the other ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered on very low heat until the surface is transparent and the solids are on the bottom, about 45-60 minutes.
  2. Place 4 layers of cheese cloth over the mouth of a jar and carefully strain the butter through the cloth. Discard the spices and milk solids. You can store your Better Butter at room temperature for 2-3 months (but I betcha it won’t last that long).

NOTE: Plain clarified butter, known as ghee, is another must-have kitchen staple. To make plain ghee, just melt the butter as directed above, simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain to remove milk solids. OMGhee!

How I made it: I took the butter and put it in my silicone pan (can order one here) to make little individual servings of Ghee. This way I can just grab one to sauté my eggs in or to throw on my sweet potato or steak.

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If you would like to order this amazing cookbook that JUST released today, you can get it on Amazon for 33% off today!!! 

>>>Click here to grab Well Fed 2 now! <<<

 

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!

Filed Under: Book Love, Paleo Education, reviews Tagged With: gluten-free, paleo cookbook, paleo recipes, the clothes make the girl, well fed 2

The Paleo Slow Cooker and Preview Recipe

October 17, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 4 Comments

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As a homesteader and mother by day and a blogger by night, I have a hard time keeping up with everything. GASP! Oh yes, my life can be in shambles at times. However, for two years I have managed to cook 98% Paleo meals at home. I believe in the 80/20 rule and most the 20% non-Paleo foods we consume is when we eat out. Despite my inaquacies and my lack of time, I feel it is important to give my family the healthiest food possible. This is the job I took on when I held my first child to my breast and promised to nourish her and grow her with proper nutrition. From that day, it has been my desire to give my kids the best I can. And sometimes I fail. But, thank God for grace. It covers me when my shortcomings get the best of me. All this to say – – this would not have been possible without my slow cooker.

Oh yes, you heard me right, my beautiful, incredibly talented slow cooker. It puts out delicious meals while I clean up chicken poop from my daughter’s hair and try to fold my endless pile of laundry. It works it’s magic while I sit here on the computer typing about my love for it…oh yes, it’s working it’s magic right now. The best part about my slow cooker is that it takes me 5-10 minutes max to throw together a healthy, Paleo meal for my family. Seriously, I’m not sure if I would be Paleo without it!

Now to find good Paleo slow cooker meals…well, that’s been another challenge. In walks my favorite slow cooker cookbook ever – the Paleo Slow Cooker: Healthy Gluten-Free Meals the Easy Way. This deliciously made book was created by Arsy Vartanian of Rubies & Radishes, a top Paleo blogger in my book! There’s lots of great Paleo bloggers that I absolutely adore, and Arsy tops the list…along with Melissa Joulwan of The Clothes Make the Girl (who has a new cookbook coming out real soon!). These girls put out incredibly tasteful recipes. It’s not your same old boring salt and pepper ingredients. Oh no, it’s ingredients with an ethnic flare that open up your tastebuds and make you think, “Oh wow, this is what I have been missing.”

The Paleo Slow Cooker is loaded with recipes that do this to you. Not only are these recipes easy and simple to throw into a slow cooker, but there 125 recipes from appetizers to desserts that only require the ease of a slow cooker. My personal favorite, so far, is the Apple Cider Pork with Rosemary. Arsy gave me permission to share this delicious recipe with you. Isn’t she the best?!

Apple Cider Pork with Rosemary – The Paleo Slow Cooker

Ingredients:

  • 3lbs of pork roast
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 2 cups of hard apple cider 
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp minced fresh thyme
  • salt and pepper just before serving

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Brown the pork in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Turn the heat down to medium and saute the onion in the remaining coconut oil for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and apples, cook for another 3 minutes, and then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
  4. Add all the other ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  5. Salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

Servings: 6

If you would like to purchase this book, you can find it on Amazon for only $19.29 (it’s nearly 30% off!)! This is a steal for a hardback cookbook! You can, also, buy it on Kindle for $9.49!

Buy The Paleo Slow Cooker Hardcopy – click here

Buy The Paleo Slow Cooker on Kindle – click here

Please go visit Arsy on her blog, Rubies & Radishes to find more delicious recipes that she is creating!

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!

Filed Under: Book Love, Budget Shopping, Paleo Education, reviews Tagged With: dairy free, gluten-free, paleo, paleo blogger, primal, rubies and radishes, slow cooker recipes, the paleo slow cooker

Kick the Weight With Keto – How to Lose Weight & Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet

September 20, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 13 Comments

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Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you this great book I’m reading called, “Kick the Weight with Keto – How to Lose Weight and Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet.” It’s a book by a woman, Kim Knoch, who was eating everything right on Paleo alone but still wasn’t losing weight. After discovering that it wasn’t because of a lack of willpower, laziness, or anything else, she prescribed herself a low-carb ketogenic diet. Kim began treating her disability to lose weight by using a ketogenic diet cure.

Kim has dropped from 260lbs to 220lbs!!! She describes this way of eating as a “lifestyle”…kind of how Paleo is to me! I love that she is open about her continual transformation saying, “I didn’t want to wait until I’m “perfect” to share this method, since I am for the time in my life having success!” Before Keto, Kim had come to grips with the fact that she was meant to be obese…but not anymore!

What is a Ketogenic Diet? 

Kick the Weight with Keto uses “nutritional ketosis” to tell your brain to use ketones for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones break down fatty acids, either from fat in your diet, or from your own body fat stores. When you lower your carbohydrate intake enough your body starts breaking down fat for fuel! Which, obviously, is a great thing! When you are eating loads of carbs, your body uses glucose to burn fuel and doesn’t tap into fat stores causing weight loss. Kicking yourself into ketosis requires diligence and a deep desire to see your health (and weight) improve.

Is Kick the Weight with Keto for me? 

Do you want to lose weight? Has your weight loss stalled with eating Paleo or Primal alone? Do you suffer from metabolic issues (thyroid, adrenal fatigue, PCOS) or blood sugar issues? Are you a healthy weight but would like more mental clarity? Then Kick the Weight with Keto is for you!

**Nutritional ketosis has worked for so many different types of people. If you are pregnant/breastfeeding or have type 1 diabetes, then you should avoid a Ketogenic diet.

What’s the Diet Like?

The Keto diet is somewhat similar to eating Paleo or Primal(with the inclusion of high quality dairy) and uses a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb guideline. Kim gives you a suggestions of what to eat and what to avoid to help kick your body into nutritional ketosis. In the book you will find 2 weeks of suggested meal plans and LOTS of recipes. In fact, half the book is recipes!!!

After reading Kim’s book and educating myself more on nutritional ketosis, I am going to be adding it into my nutritional regime. I have, personally, lost over 60lbs eating Paleo, but my weightloss has stalled. I’ve been ok with that because I am comfortable with myself, however, I, clearly, have around 15-20 more lbs to lose. I’m pretty sure Kick the Weight with Keto will do the trick! Won’t you join with me?

Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

 

Here’s a few awesome recipes and a peak inside the book: 

Keto Meatloaf

Ingredients:

  • 1lb of ground beef
  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste or low sugar ketchup
  • 1 TB onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup crushed up pork rinds

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with hands or in a food processor.
  3. Form into a loaf shape and put in a baking pan.
  4. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

A few other great recipes from her book that I love:

Crispy Cauliflower Crust Pizza

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Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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Low Carb Sub Sandwich “Unwich”

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Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

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Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!

Filed Under: Book Love, Paleo Education, reviews Tagged With: gluten-free, grain-free, keto diet, ketosis, kick the weight with keto, nutritional ketosis, paleo ketogenic diet, primal

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Hi, I'm Jackie Ritz and welcome to The Paleo Mama! I'm a published author, certified herbalist, and voracious researcher of natural medicine and nutrition. I'm glad you're here and I hope you stick around for awhile!

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