Smokey Pumpkin Spice Soup :)

I love this time of year and as the weather starts to cool my favorite meal is a warm cup of soup! Today I am bringing you a fall favorite, My Smokey Pumpkin Spice Soup!  This soup is really simple to make and just definitely hits the spot!  It is like a party of Autumn in your tummy.  I hope you enjoy!

Smokey Pumpkin Spice Soup :)

Serving size (1 C.)

Servings per recipe (8)

Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 29 oz. can pure pumpkin
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 1/4 tsp. ginger
• 1/8 tsp turmeric
• 2 cups milk
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4-5 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
• chopped chives, sour cream, bacon for garnish

How to prepare:

• Saute onions in parsley butter until translucent
• stir in pumpkin
• blend flour, spices, and 1/3 cup milk in small bowl, stir into pumpkin mixture
• Add remaining milk and crumbled cooked bacon into pumpkin mixture, stir constantly for 5-8 minutes until thickened.  (Do not allow to boil)
• mix in chicken broth and heat to almost boiling.
• Serve hot garnished with sour cream, chives, and bacon bits.

Enjoy :)

All Natural Roll On Deodorant! Nutrexin!!

Have you ever looked at all the horrible ingredients that make up your antiperspirant  and wonder what in the world you are putting into your body?  With all the recent studies linking deodorant and antiperspirant to breast cancers and other health concerns I have been on a mission to find the deodorant that will not only offer reliable protection but also diminish the risk factors involved in using them.

My family has fallen victim on several occasions to breast cancer, so I nee to be very vigilant when it comes to my health.  I have three young children whom need their mama for a very long time!

I was recently sent a pH Alkaline Deodorant from green Moms Meet and Nutrexin to try out and tell  you all about it!  Nutrexin is a pH Alkaline roll on deodorant that is Aluminum, Fragrance, preservative, and artificial color free!  This Deodorant is made of all natural ingredients that offer daily protection with a balanced alkaline effect.  It is made with healing plant extracts and beneficial soothing skin moisturizers!  This can be used safely on all skin types, even sensitive skin!

I have been using My Nutrexin Alum-Free Deodorant for about two weeks now, and I have to say I really like the peace of mind I have while using it.  I am not sure if it lasts the full 24 hours as it states, I have found the need to re-apply it in the afternoon.  Over-all I like the way it feels on the skin.  It doe snot irritate the skin what so ever even after shaving.  The fresh light scent is something to be admired.  I think it lacks the all day protection, but I have no problem with re-applying it.

Nutrexin USA does not only offer this great deodorant, but also so many other great products!  I also have been taking  Nutrexin Vital Restore which is a natural antioxidant formula.  Vital Restore Optimizes Metabolism & Digestion.  Improves fitness level and stamina, also assists in recovery from fatigue, illness, or injury!  I really have enjoyed taking Vital restore and have notices a significant boost in my energy levels!

Another great product Nutrexin offers that I have tried first hand is pH Balance Restore Bath Salts!  These bath salts are recommended 1-2 times per week in a full bath soak or can be used daily in a foot soak!  These bath salts offer detoxification, relaxation, and soft supple skin after each use!  This may very well be my favorite of the three products!  I mean who doesn't love a relaxing bath or foot soak?  Am I right?  I always feel so relaxed and balanced after each use and my skin has really loved the healing properties!

I give this company two thumbs up for great innovative products!  I would highly recommend these products for the many benefits they provide.

Five Arizona Farms to Visit This Fall!!

When the Fall Season rolls around it means cooler weather, pumpkin spice, and Fall Festivals!!  My family enjoys visiting the local farms to get us excited for the new season.  There is something about being out on the farm that is so fulfilling to your heart!  Getting lost in the corn mazes, picking out that perfect pumpkin, and just being outdoors after the incredibly hot summer!   I put together a list of some of Arizona's best farms to visit this fall!

Tolmachoff Farms welcomes you to pumpkin days and corn maze October 1-November 8 2015!  My family adores this farm in the heart of Glendale, Arizona! Tomachoff Farmsis located at 5726 N. 75th avenue, Glendale AZ 85303  The farm is open 7 days a week and is $9 for ages 2 and up! 

~Rocker7 Farm Patch Test your navigation skills through their four-acre corn maze!  There is a 1.5 mile maze path for most folks and a .25 mile path for families with small children.  Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch, visit the sunflower field, go on a hay ride, visit the petting zoo, and so much more!  This farm is fun for all ages and the weekend admission lets you enjoy all the activites offered including the giant bouncing pillow!  Located in the far west valley Rocker7 will be open this year October 10-November 8th and is located at 19601 West Broadway Rd.  Buckeye, AZ 85326 (623)208-8676  

~Mortimer Farms Locally owned Mortimer Family Farms says, you are all invited to attend our Pumpkin fest & Corn Maze every weekend in October!  This Huge Festival's centerpiece is a 15 acre pumpkin patch & 25 acre corn maze!   Games, farm activities, live entertainment, barn dances, hay rides, petting zoo, food , and so much more!  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October for $15 per person (2 and under are free)  

~Schnepf Farms Pumpkin Patch& Chili Party Voted by Phoenix Magazine, New Times, Sunset Magazine, and numerous others as the best family fall event in the valley!  The only way to know for sure is to go and check it out for yourself!  Hours are every Thursday-Sunday in October from 10-9pm!  Prices for admission are $17 per person or you can save $2 per person by purchasing tickets from your local fry's food store!  Schnepf is located at 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek Arizona 85142 

~Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival Is in Marana, Arizona located at 14901 N. Wentz Rd. (502)305-5481 This farm is open October 3-31st Monday-Thursday from 3-7pm and Friday-Sunday 9-7pm.  Visit Marana Farm and pick from over 15,000 pumpkins, find your way through two unique corn mazes, jump on a huge jumping pillow, and fill up on festival food before stopping by the petting zoo!  Price for admission is $10 Monday-Thursday and $12 Friday-Sunday!

I hope you find this list helpful and you enjoy your time out on the farm!  Happy Fall Ya'll!!  :)

Mouth Watering Sriacha Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tostada :)

Fall is upon us!  The best things about fall are the changing colors, and the changing recipes!  I have always thought of Sweet Potatoes as a fall food, maybe because I grew up eating sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving In forms of pies or casseroles.  The great thing about sweet potatoes is, they are packed full of goodness!

Sweet Potatoes are a Native American plant which was a main source of nourishment for the early homesteaders!  These roots are among the most nutritious foods in the vegetable food group.  Sweet potatoes are packed full of calcium, potassium, and vitamins C and also A!

Today BuckeyeMomsMeet is bringing to the table a Tostada like no other!  Unlike the traditional Tostada, This recipe is packed with a punch of vitamins and spices that will have you coming back for seconds, or even thirds!  The Sriacha Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tostada!!

Ingredients:

• (1)TBSP Avocado oil
• (1) Can of Black refried beans
• (1) sweet potato
• (1) small onion
• (3) cloves minced garlic
• (1) tsp. liquid aminos or soy sauce
• (1) tsp Dijon mustard
• (1/4) tsp. ground cumin
• (1/4) tsp. chili powder
• (1) TBSP. Sriacha 

Toppings:

• lettuce
• mixed blend grated cheese
• avocado
• sriacha
• sour cream

Preparing:

1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, liquid aminos, mustard, cumin, chili powder, cook until onions are tender.
2. Add refried beans to the onion mixture and mix well.  Add the Sriacha and continue heating up the beans.
3. While you are heating your bean mixture steam your sweet potato either on the stove top or in the microwave until soft.
4. set bean mixture aside and mash your sweet potato with a fork or potato masher.  You can add a little cumin to your sweet potato if you would like more flavor.
5. get a small rubber spatula and spread your bean mixture on a tostada shell.  Next add the mashed sweet potato mixture on top of the bean mixture.
6. top with lettuce, cheese, avocados, sriacha, and sour cream!
7. Enjoy :)

Queso Fresco Cactus Salad :)

The Queso Fresco Cactus Salad is a light salad made from edible cactus pads (Nopales).  Our local grocery here in Arizona usually carry the Nopales.  I like to get mine already prepared and sliced for cooking!  I often Pair my Queso Fresco Cactus salad with Chipotle dry rubbed pork loin.

Directions

~I tend to buy the cactus pads (nopales) already prepared for cooking, If yours are not already peeled then you will need to peel the thorns with a potato grader until all thorns are removed.  Leave the skin intact and cut into thin strips!

~Heat your Avacado oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Add your Nopales and garlic and saute until the cactus is tender usually between 5-8 minutes.

~once the cactus pads are tender you are going to add your black beans, green onions, fresh cilantro, lime juice, agave nectar, cumin, chipotle powder, and the optional ingredients if you wish for your salad to be a little sweeter.

~arrange the lettuce on your plates, and top with a scoop of cactus mixture.  Next you will add some diced tomatoes, queso fresco, and a dallop of sour cream on top!

~Enjoy!!!  Paired well with Chipotle dry rubbed pork tenderloin!!

Great Camping At StageCoach Trails! Southern California's Must Stay Getaways!

Nestled in between some mountain ranges in the high desert of San Diego county sits a camp ground like no other!
Just East of the old historic gold mining town of Julian, California, you will find Stage Coach trails.  I recently went to visit my granny who lives down the road from Stage Coach trails horse camp and RV resort, so my family and I made a reservation for one of the cabins that are available at the camp ground.

Stagecoach trails camp ground is very quiet with some very friendly staff.  If you are looking to get away from it all, this is the place!  The night sky reminds you how far you are away from the city lights by the extraordinary abundance of stars that appear in the night sky!  Great for star gazing.  The cabins here are clean and comfortable.  Our cabin slept the five of us with plenty of room.  There was a bathroom, shower room, a small kitchen with a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker.  There was also a TV, but only for DVD usage.  no cable.  They do ask that you bring your own linens.  The beds had a fitted sheet but no blankets.  They provided bath towels and soaps.

The camp ground is very well kept with plenty to do for the whole family!  There are horse shoe pits, tether ball, beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, and a swimming pool to cool off in the warmer months.  There is no spa on the grounds, but if you wanted to relax your bones there is a hot springs nearby that is only a short drive away!  My kids really enjoyed playing tether ball, mostly because they had never seen such a game and were completely intrigued by it's simplicity.

When I said getting away from it all, I meant it!  There is no cell service at the camp ground, but honestly I didn't miss it that much!  It was kind of nice being completely unplugged for our time there.  If you absolutely need to check your emails, call, or text someone there is service a little over three miles down the road.

The Stagecoach store is well stocked with anything you may need.  My daughter was having allergies and I had forgotten to pack our Claritin, but purchasing it at the store was no problem.  The store however does not sell Alcoholic beverages or tobacco.  So if you want to relax with a glass of wine, or a beer under the stars  make sure you bring plenty before heading down the hill!  There is also no gas station near the camp ground.  The nearest fuel stations are either in Borrego Springs, or Julian.

This camp ground boasts plenty of space!   Plenty of RV spots with full hookups, tent spaces, cabins, and even horse corrals!  The horse camping is a fantastic set up!  plenty of corrals, a circle pen, and lots of places to ride.

During the day, stay at camp and enjoy their many amenities, or venture out!  There are plenty of hiking trails nearby.  You can go to Julian for the day and pick apples or enjoy a piece of their famous apple pie. You can tour the old gold mine, or visit a winery.  You can head the other direction and visit Borrego Springs, where you can play a game of golf.

We had a great weekend visiting family and enjoying the simple life of no cell phones, emails, or Ipads.   Thank you Stage coach for providing a comfortable place to lay our heads.  We will be back!

Selective Mutism Top 10 Facts!

Selective Mutism is a severe anxiety disorder in which a child is unable to speak in social situations and settings.  A child with Selective Mutism usually talks normal at home, but is unable to get their words out once outside the comfort of their home.  The Child responds to severe social anxiety as if their words are locked up tight in a box with no key in sight!  Often confused with being overly shy or stubborn these children live their life in silence.  It's painful, they wish so badly they could speak...but to no avail.  Not even a whisper.

I have put together a list of the top ten Selective Mutism Signs, Symptoms, and facts.

1. The child seems to be excessively shy.
2. The child experiences social isolation and withdrawal
3. Not speaking lasts for longer than one month, besides the first month of school.
4. The child's lack of speaking is interfering with their school progress.
5. consistent failure to speak in any social situation.
6. lack of eye contact.
7. The child often displays stiff body language with shoulders curled in and head down.
8. The child's inability to speak is not from lack of knowledge or speech problem.
9. Their inability to speak is not brought on by a tragic event, but rather the child's anxiety of social situations.
10. Because Selective Mutism overlaps with social anxiety disorder, it is believed it may be genetic and the child may have other family members who suffer from anxiety.

There are a lot of teachers, Pediatricians, and professionals who have not heard of Selective Mutism.  Awareness is key to the success of these children!  There are some treatment plans in place for Selective Mutism, and is best if caught early.

Please spread the word!  Get these Children their voices back!

Have a beautiful day :)

Life Is Better On The Farm! Mortimer Family Farms... Dewey, Arizona

Our great leader George Washington once said, "I would rather be on my farm, than be emperor of the world."  There is something about being out on the farm that is so humbling.  Every year My family likes to visit the farm, not only is it a great reason to get out of the house, but also a great learning experience for our children to see the hard work that gets put in to getting food to our tables.  This last weekend we visited Mortimer family Farms in Dewey, Arizona.  A little shy of a two hour drive from Phoenix, our family embarked on our journey around 8 am.

We arrived at Mortimer Farms and were greeted by some friendly warm smiles.  The farm had their annual sweet corn festival going on, so with the price of admission which was only $10 you got to ride all the rides for free and received a complimentary piece of fire roasted sweet corn!!

 The farm had live entertainment on stage and lots of fun things for the kiddos to keep busy!  Some things your kids just might love are;

• The petting zoo
• bounce houses
• barrel train 
• corn bath
•  the buckaroo pony rides
•  a rock climbing wall
• and face painting!

After a while it started getting a little warm, so my kids decided the dipping dots booth would be the perfect treat to cool them down!  There are several food trucks to choose from at the farm, as well as Grandma's Kitchen which is located inside the country store!  Grandmas Kitchen has farm fresh deli sandwiches and fresh baked cookies, fudge, pies, you name it!  There really is a treat for everyone who visits!

Although this years corn festival has come to a close, you won't want to miss their pumpkin fest and corn maze!!  Open every weekend in October including Columbus day!  You and your family can celebrate Autumn while picking your very own pumpkin from the field which is included in the admission price of the farm!!   There is no better way to celebrate Autumn than surrounding yourself with all that Autumn has to offer on the farm!  Fresh fruits and veggies, homemade pies, and pumpkins!!  This years Pumpkin Fest and Corn maze will be benefiting Phoenix Children's Hospital!  For more information on Mortimer family Farms and their happenings visit mortimerfamilyfarms.com

Thank you Mortimer Family Farms and Us Family Guide for welcoming our family to the farm!  We had a wonderful day and really enjoyed that sweet corn!  We can't wait to come back and pick out some pumpkins!!