Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

I started doing what I call Sing, Sing a Song Saturday.  I'm going to post one song on Saturdays that the boys or I like. 

The song may be part of a movie, a kid's video or just a song we like. I'll try and include why we like it and/or the history of the song/singer.

I discovered the trio Daughter this week. It's funny because I was listening to Daughter, yet I have no daughters myself. I grew up with sisters though.

Source

It's an English indie rock band originating from London in 2010. Originally the solo work of Elena Tonra, they are now a trio with the addition of guitarist Igor Haefeli and drummer Remi Aguilella. They made their first full album If You Leave in 2013.

They help with a nonprofit called Yellow Bird Project. It's a Montreal-based organization called Yellow Bird Project. We work with an amazing range of indie rock musicians to create unique t-shirt designs that benefit an array of charities, each chosen by the musicians.

Anyhow I love their sound the trio Daughter!

Candles

Youth

Check out their website.
Check out their store.
Like them out on Facebook.
Follow them on Twitter.
Follow them on YouTube.

Tid Bits

1. Thanksgiving is coming up. I'm trying to think of what to do for some foodie art.

Part of me wants to do this Cheese Ball. It will look different though.

Source

I also want to do a fruit, or veggie tray. I wouldn't do strawberries just because when I pick them out this time of year, they seem to be bad. I'd probably do pomegranate seeds, and big holiday grapes.

Then maybe these cupcakes just because they are so fun!

What are you making for this event?

2. Mica and Isaak got to pick out Advent Calendars. They were so excited. They had to go through, and show each other where all the numbers were. Then Isaak sang Jingle Bells in the store. That's better than screaming, crying kids.

3. Our school implemented a thing called a Pro Review for some major projects. My 3rd year class just had one. A few didn't pass, all but one were cool about it. The thing is, in the design field many designer's ideas are shot down. In the past I've had more fail it, and more resist changing their design. This year it's only one. When I told her that it wouldn't fly for the 2nd time she threw a pencil at her desk space. I'm glad we have the Pro Review. It forces them to step up their work.

4. Mica and Isaak's holiday program lands on my finals day again. That's hard. I wish they'd put it in the evenings. Maybe parents weren't bringing their kids to it though. I'll figure it out. I always do.

5. Mica's stepped it up with swimming. He swims laps now. Isaak's stepped down. Have you ever had it happen where you, a child, or a grandchild stepped it down with something?

UNO

We've been playing UNO with the kids. It's one game that we all can play, and have fun.

Mica does get irritated that Isaak has his cards so everyone can see. I have to remind him that Isaak is only 5. It drives Daddy and I nuts that Mica pays no attention to the reverses. He hardly knows when it's his turn.

Mica sometimes counts during the game, "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro..."

Isaak said, "Uno, dos, Grace."

I said, "Did you say, 'Grace'?"

Isaak said, "Ya, that's what Mica said. She's in Little House on the Prairie Mom."

In case you need the history of Little House on the Prairie, Grace is two characters. She's Mr. Edward's wife, and the Ingalls' youngest born daughter.

Processing Leaves

Processing leaving is something I do every year. We don't have big trees, but our neighbors do.

The easiest way to take care of leaves is to mow them up, and mow them up again until they turn into dust. You don't even need to bag the mower. If you like to have good mulch, than bag the leaves. That's what this post is about.

Why take care of them? 

In the city leaves don't just blow away. They get caught in the gutters, and smother the grass. If you live in the country, you may not need to take care of leaves at all. They naturally just blow away.

Processing Leaves in the Fall:

First I rake them into big piles. Remove any sticks you find. I attempted to get some helpers this year. Isaak was so not interested. He did rake up a tiny pile. Then he had a temper tantrum when I sucked up his pile.

Mica on the other hand didn't work too hard at first, but once he got it he worked hard. So hard that he got hot and took off his shirt. Mica's 8, so I guess they can start helping around this age.

I admit this looks silly, but buying a respirator, and goggles that cover yourself is good. It doesn't matter if you have allergies, or not. Breathing in things that we're not supposed to isn't a good idea. You can get one at many hardware, or painting stores. Those white medical masks are only good for 15 minutes.

You can use a mower, or a leaf blower/sucker. I use a leaf blower/sucker just because most of the leaves fall in our driveway. Our neighbor's tree hangs over our driveway; then our neighbor across the street has a big tree as well.

Suck them up until you fill the bag. Then start alternating water and chopped up leaves in a bucket, or empty trash can. This is an important step because if you don't wet the leaves down they will just blow away. They won't stay down if you lay them down, and water them afterwards.

Then I start to lay them around plants, bushes, and trees. Leave a space at the base of the plants, bushes, and trees, so water/snow gets to their roots.

Leaves under the Service Berry is accomplished. Now I have found that the new leaves that fall can be raked, and sucked out. The processed leaves stay put.

Other bushes are done.

I've laid leaves in other ares, but you get the picture. I feel like this is better than going out, and buying more compost, or putting bags and bags of leaves at the curb. I think my neighbors have 12 bags sitting there waiting for the garbage man.

If I run out of spots to put the leaf slop (that's what I call it), I start laying it down on the top layer of the compost pile.

WW: Tom and Jerry and the Rubber Band Face {Linky}

Mica loves watching Tom and Jerry.

Do you believe laughter is contagious? I start cracking up whenever I see someone else laughing.

While Mica was watching Tom and Jerry. Isaak took it upon himself to make a rubber band face.

Organic Matcha Review

I am excited to share with you Kiss Me Organics Organic Matcha Culinary Grade Green Tea Powder.  

The fine green powder in the package can be used daily for:

• Lattes
• Smoothies
• Baking

What can Matcha do for you?

• It provides 4 to 6 hours of slowly and steady energy boost. It acts as a stimulant and a relaxant. This helps for stressful days.
• Matcha green tea gives your Metabolism a boost. It heightens thermogenesis, which is the body's way of burning calories. Normally we burn 8% to 10%, and this increases to 35% and 43%.
• Scientists have discovered that Matcha Green Tea helps to protect your skin. It improves blood flow, oxygen levels, and protects from harmful UV rays. 
• It contains antioxidants, which is important for the aging process. Matcha Green Tea naturally helps defend against oxidation, and many age related diseases. 

Green Tea Matcha Latte 

  Put 1 teaspoon of Green Tea Matcha Latte in a mug.
 

Add 2 oz hot water. We just warmed the water in the microwave, added it, and stirred until it became a smooth paste.

We steamed 6 oz of your choice of milk. We added the steamed milk to the already dissolved Matcha.

The end result was pretty good. I have to say that I liked it more than my husband did. I shared some with my Dad, and he enjoyed his just in hot water.

My Thoughts:

• I love that you can use Green Tea Matcha in different ways. Knowing that I can have some in hot water on days that I'm busy is great. I can also have it in smoothies, baking, and lattes, which are awesome for when I have the time to make them.
• It's free from chemicals and preservatives. 
• I love that I'm getting extra greens in my diet. The benefits are great!

Purchase Organic Matcha today on Amazon! It's original price was $39.99, but it's on sale for $25.00!

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.  

   

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Awards

Isaak got an award at school. He was pretty excited. They get awards for having good behavior. For a long time I thought awards were silly. Shouldn't have have good behavior without getting an award? Then I realized how they strive to be good. They get excited for all those good/green dots.

He was comparing himself to so and so in the classroom. Mica got awarded in the past.

I said, "Isaak this isn't about so and so, or Mica, this is about you. You have to have good behavior to get an award. It may, or may not happen right away. Your teacher can't give awards to everyone at once."

He seemed to understand. For four days in a row he said, "I had a green dot for good behavior today Mom!"

Now he has an award that he deserved. He's happy about it.

If he gets more of these, he gets a medal, and lunch with the principle.

What do you think of school awards?

Immortal Energy Review

I have tried a product from Immortal Energy before. This great product was just as wonderful.  

Ingredients:

• Deer Antler (Lu Rong) is widely used in Asia, and now throughout the world. It's used to strengthen adrenal, reproductive and brain functions. It's a rejuvenating agent. Short term use is thought to build power and strength, while long-term consistent use is thought to re-build deep life force, preserve youthfulness and to enhance longevity. Many studies show that pantocrine in deer antler enhances work flow, helps decrease muscular and mental fatigue, and makes appetites and sleep better. They also help with O2 on the brain, kidneys and the liver. Builds red and white blood cell production. Provides: Minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients.


• Astragalus (Huang QI) is a root that has been used to centuries to strengthen and regulate metabolism. Recently the herb has gained popularity among practitioners and herbalists as a medicine in the West. Chinese have used this root to enhance energy within the body, known as "qi". It helps reduce perspiration. A person that is ill can build strength and immunity. The root also helps to protect the glad that produces hormones related to stress, call the adrenal cortex. It is known to help allergy sufferers by building up the immune system.


• Ginseng (Ren Shen) is known to improve concentration, thinking, work efficiency, memory, athlectic endurance, physical stamina which all have an impact on our energy levels.


• Goji (Gou Qi Zi) has both nutritional and medical benefits. Goji berries are super high in antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory properties. In Chinese medicine goji is used as a blood and immune system tonic. They support vision, are a mood elevator, and are known as the "Happy Fruit". They also promote beautiful skin, improve memory, and increase libido.


• Schizandra (Wu Wei Zi) is known as the five flavor fruit. The five flavors are: Sweet, spicy, sour, salty, and acidic. It's a famous herb used in Chinese medicine. It's a mind tonic used to sharpen concentration, improve memory, and increase alertness. Unlike caffeine stimulants, Schizandra does not produce nervousness when energy is increased. It's mildly calming.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Immortal Herbs or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Inside the packet are pills. You can take 3 to 4 capsules as needed, or as directed by a health care professional. 

You can dissolve them in warm water, or open them up and add them to smoothies.

I chose to add them into a smoothie.

I used the seeds from 1 pomegranate. If you have never taken the seeds out of a pomegranate it's so easy. Cut it open, add it to a bowl of water, and take the seeds out. All the white stuff floats to the top. The seeds sink to the bottom. It took me 3 minutes.

I added one organic apple.

I added one Immortal Energy capsule.

You will need to add some water, and/or ice. You can do this in the blender, but I used the Nutribullet. If you are not a seed person, you may want to juice these things, and add the Immortal Energy to your juice. The seeds are packed full of nutrients, so I drink them.

This made 4 small drinks. 

What are my thoughts?
I love that Immortal Energy is 100% all natural. It's great to know that I'm getting things I don't normally get.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.  

  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.