You may have already thought about the fact that your children aren't the only ones who are learning during your homeschool journey. However, I still thought it might be helpful and encouraging to discuss some of the ways that I'm being homeschooled. As a result, I've come up with 4 ways I'm being homeschooled.
1. I'M LEARNING HISTORY IN A WHOLE NEW WAY
The first of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is related to the fact that I absolutely hated history when I was growing up. I especially disliked history when I was in high school. I thought it was seriously boring and I avoided it as much as I could. As a result, I don't remember much of anything except sitting in class talking to my friends, or writing notes to my friends, or even figuring out how to skip class.
It's true that I took the bare minimum classes in high school and college. However, I don't remember learning ancient history AT ALL.
Of course the Bible is history as well. However, I did not grow up with the Bible, nor did I start reading the Bible until I was an adult.
It is true that I have learned SO MUCH through the Bible. However, every time I read a book to Nathan, especially when it is historical fiction, I learn too. This is known as living history. And I think everyone could truly benefit from learning history this way!
For example, we are currently studying Martin Luther and are reading the book, “When Lightening Struck.”
Not only are we learning about Martin Luther, we are learning about what the culture was like during this time period. A well-written book will provide descriptions that bring the time period to life. And this book is doing it all right! We are looking out through Martin Luther's eyes, experiencing his life, becoming entrenched in his observations, including the smells.
During Martin Luther's lifetime, the Black Plague broke out several times.
Well, have you ever thought about what they did with the people who died? Apparently, they put them into “the stockyards.” If you lived anywhere near the stockyards, you could smell the rotting bodies!
Also, people were ignorant and superstitious during this period because the Roman church was controlling everything and people didn't have access to the Bible. As a result, people, including Martin's mother, would blame things such as their babies dying, on witches and witchcraft.
The people didn’t know the Bible, and were ignorant of the idea of germs.
Knowing what you do today, what do you think was causing so many baby deaths? In “Lightning Strikes,”, Martin mentions losing a baby sister, and he was remembering holding her little hand with his dirty thumb.
Now, I could have easily taught Nathan about the Black Plague, Martin Luther, the superstitions of this time period, and lack of knowledge regarding germs through a facts-based textbook. However, if we had just read these facts in a textbook, I don't believe they would have held nearly as much meaning as reading a “living history” book.
Reading, “When Lightening Struck,” is opening up a whole new world for me (and I'm sure for Nathan as well).
And every time we read a book like this, my world expands even more!
This is just one lone example of how I'm being educated in history as the result of reading books to Nathan.
2. ONLINE LEARNING – I'M BECOMING MUCH MORE TECH SAVVY
Number 2 of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is that I am much more tech savvy. 🙂
Whenever I enroll Nathan in an online class, I go through the class as well. Take for example, Techie Homeschool Mom's Graphic Design Online course. I learned SO MUCH in that class!
And believe it or not, I had never heard of or used the awesome online program Canva (also Canva App) before 2018. I also learned how to use Emaze, right along with Nathan. And those are just two of the main apps and programs I learned through this class alone!
Speaking of tech savvy. I wanted to start a blog over 10 years ago but didn't have the skills or the resources. If it wasn't for the fact that I homeschool, I seriously doubt I would have found out about “Build Your Bundle.” And one thing keeps leading to another. Here I am one year later, finally fulfilling the vision God has given me–one step at a time.
Who would have thought homeschooling would lead to this?
For example, in May 2018 I came across an awesome Blogging Basics class, and next thing I knew I had a blog!
And how could I forget the awesome Etsy Masterclass I went through with Nathan. (Well, actually Nathan didn't go through it yet–but I sure did)! =) In fact, to read more about my experience with it, Click here
Again, these are just a few examples of what I've learned and grown through this homeschool journey.
3. I'VE LEARNED SO MANY COOL THINGS ABOUT UNIQUE LEARNERS
The 3rd of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled is related to the fact that Nathan has special needs and is a unique learner. He struggles with developmental coordination disorder, also known as Dyspraxia.
From the beginning, I really wanted to enable Nathan to be successful. As a result, I was motivated to go out and find unique learning tools and boy did I succeed! I've written about this previously a bit here.
But if I'm going to be totally honest here, I have to admit that my “How I'm Being Homeschooled” journey started before I even imagined I'd ever be homeschooling.
So those of you who aren't actually homeschooling, don't get discouraged, because you are learning too–whether you realize it or not!
My learning began the day Nathan was born, when I realized breastfeeding wasn't going to be a breeze.
Then, by six months, I first realized that Nathan was going to have some feeding issues.
Fast forward to kindergarten. Friday of the first week of school, I got “the call.” You know the call from the principal? They were worried because he was running off when he was supposed to be lining up, just to name one specific thing I remember discussing.
Long story short, Nathan was a challenge when he was in the regular public school and he was in public school until the end of 3rd grade.
In the public school Nathan was assigned homework pretty much every day. And you can be sure he didn't want any part of it!!!
And when Nathan doesn't want to do something, it is extremely difficult to get him to do it.
Back then I didn't totally get it about his autism. Nor did I completely understand why he was fighting me so hard on the homework. After all, I absolutely LOVED elementary school!
All that really matters in the overall scheme of things is whether your child is learning.
How they learn is not nearly as significant. As a result, I started thinking outside of the box more. For example, I learned how to teach Nathan in alternative ways because Dyspraxia affects his writing more than anything else. Out with the sticks and the magnetic letters.
An as he got older, I discovered speech-to-text and text-to-speech as well as visual processing programs to help with organizing thoughts. click here to read more about these programs.
When Nathan was at the end of 1st grade, I took a job as a substitute special education assistant for a little extra money. Let me tell you that I got so many good ideas from that! And I also obtained tons of valuable experience working with all sorts of unique and talented kids.
Which I am absolutely drawing from in my homeschooling with Nathan. I don't think I would have even considered a job such as this if it wasn't for my desire to understand my own son better.
4. I'M MUCH MORE WELL-ROUNDED AS A DIETITIAN
And last but not least, number 4 out of the 4 ways I'm being homeschooled:
Like I mentioned a minute ago, I started learning the day Nathan was born. He had breastfeeding issues so I pumped for eight months. When I tried to follow all of the “rules” I was taught in school, they fell flat.
For example, brown pureed rice. He spit it up–I realize now this was an early sign that Nathan had a sensory issues with food.
I DID NOT realize it at the time.
Also, he threw up peanut butter. That was an obvious one (food allergy). However, the sensory issues with food still affects his eating today, though I would say he is way less picky than he used to be
There are three (3) types of fats and oils. But what is the difference, and are some all “bad” and some all “good?”
Not really. It's all about balance.
The word “fat” is a general term, the scientific term being “lipid.” Lipids include natural oils, waxes, and steroids. All oils are fats, but not all fats are oils.
Let me explain.
Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature, because of a higher percentage of monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fats. The “unsaturated” part is what makes them liquid. Fats are solid at room temperature because of having a higher percentage of saturated fats.
There is no oil or fat that is strictly saturated or unsaturated. All oils and fats are a combination of saturated and unsaturated parts.
The more saturated a particular fat is, the higher the melting point. “Melting point” refers to the temperature at which a substance will melt. For example, butter has a melting point of about 90 degrees F. This is why butter is solid at room temperature. On the other hand, olive oil, which becomes partially solid in the refrigerator (40 degrees F), will melt once you put it at room temperature, around 70 degrees F.
Are some fats healthier than others?
The unsaturated fats are more “heart healthy.” However, our bodies need some saturated fat to be healthy. Thus, limiting your saturated fat to 10% of total calories from fat is considered optimal.
Another crucial point is that certain types of polyunsaturated fats are anti-inflammatory. For example, the omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. In contrast, the omega-6s are proinflammatory, if there are too many of them in the diet. The ratio is important for good health. An ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is about 4:1. Thus, omega-6 fats are essential, but balance is important.
Below is a list of fats/oils that are categorized by the type of fat they are primarily composed of. Fats are not composed of all one or the other. For example, olive oil has 10 grams of monounsaturated, 1 gram of polyunsaturated, and 2 grams of saturated fat. Olive oil starts to get solid in the refrigerator. Canola oil, on the other hand, has 9 grams of monosaturated, 4 grams of polyunsaturated, and 1 gram of saturated fat. Thus, canola oil stays liquid in the refrigerator.
Sources of Mainly Saturated
Butter
Coconut Oil
Lard
Beef Fat or Tallow
Shortening (Artificially Saturated using a scientific process known as “partial hydrogenation”)
Best Sources Monounsaturated
Olive oil
Canola Oil
Avocado Oil
Nut Oils (Almond, Cashew, Macadamia, Pecans)
Peanut Oil (peanuts are classified as legumes/beans)
In a future article, I will go more in-depth about each individual type of fat. All fats are essential to good health.
I will also discuss in future articles the differences between Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils. They are both important, but ratio DOES matter.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3s can be therapeutic in treating children with autism and ADHD, especially if they are deficient in the diet. Stay tuned for more…
Other Posts of Interest by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom
Of all of the superfoods, blueberries are one of my favorites. And living in Oregon, we sure do get plenty of them. But what exactly makes blueberries superfoods? And what are some of the ways you can eat them?
Here are at least 5 reasons blueberries are superfoods.
Interesting facts about blueberries:
More species of blueberries exist in North America than in any other continent in the world.
Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of any of the popular fruits and vegetables.
Specifically, blueberries are rich in the phytonutrients known as anthocyanins.
Antioxidants are just what they say they are: “anti”, meaning they work against, “oxidation.”
Oxidation is a process that results in the breakdown of cells. For example, the reason bananas, apples, and potatoes become brown when open to the air is because of oxidation.
Thus, antioxidants prevent cell damage in the body, an example of which is cancer.
Blueberries are an excellent way to reduce your risk of cancer and other age-related diseases.
Blueberries are low in calories. One cup only contains about 80 calories.
These tasty fruits are a good source of fiber, providing 4 grams per serving.
They are also high in vitamin C and a good source of potassium.
As with all fruit, blueberries are high in water (85%). Thus, blueberries hydrate your body naturally.
Blueberries taste delicious and make many other foods more tasty. For example, add some blueberries to your pancake or waffle batter the next time you're fixing breakfast. Or just add the blueberries on top.
Add blueberries to your favorite smoothie in the morning. You can freeze blueberries to increase their shelf life. This is great in the summer because the coldness of frozen berries makes the smoothie more refreshing on a hot summer day.
Add them to your favorite cereal or to plain yogurt to spruce them up AND make them more nutritious.
This is at least 5 Reasons why blueberries are superfoods. Can you think of any more reasons?
An anomaly is an irregular or unusual event, occurrence, or characteristic. In the Bible, many apparent anomalies exist. For example, the term “Giant” or “Nephilim” appears throughout the Old Testament. This has caused much debate among theologians due to it being a seemingly anomalous concept within Biblical texts. Today I am going to focus specifically on use of the word “Giants” in the Bible.
Does the Bible really mention Giants?
Yes, it does! At least 20 different times in the King James Version of the Bible, the words “giant” or “giants” are named. Genesis 6 is the most well-known verse that discusses the Giants. But there are many references as well. Below are the references I found doing a quick search in the online Strongs Concordance for the KJV.*
Genesis 6:4
Numbers 13:33
Deuteronomy 2:11, 2:20, 3:11, 3:13
Joshua 12:4, 13:12, 15:8, 17:15, 18:16
2 Samuel 21:16,18,20,22
1 Chronicles 20:4,6,8
Job 16:14
*I am not a “King James Version” only person. But I chose to use this version today because of the fact that it uses “giant” when describing these Biblical anomalies despite that the words in the Hebrew Lexicon are “nphyl” or “rapha.'”
Where did the Giants in the Bible come from?
The Bible doesn't specifically mention where they came from. However, according to Genesis 6:4 they existed before the Great Flood:
“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” (KJV – Public Domain)
Numbers 13:33 refers to the report of the leaders of Israel whom Moses sent to spy out the land of Canaan:
“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” (KJV – Public Domain)
Two spies, ancient Israelites carry a bunch of grapes of Canaan from the Promised Land
2 Samuel 21:16-17a
“And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him.” (KJV – Public Domain)
1 Samuel 17:4-5, 49-51
“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. *And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.” (KJV – Public Domain)
“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore, David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.” (KJV – Public Domain)
*9 feet 6 inches
David's Slingshot with 5 Smooth Stones.
Amos 2:9
“Yet I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.”
Giant Chart – Creative Commons License 2023
Are there other places Giants are mentioned besides the Bible?
Absolutely! Myths and legends abound throughout the entire world:
Canada
United States
China
Israel
Greece
Turkey
Iraq (Babylon)
Afghanistan
Norway
United Kingdom
In fact, even a cursory search of the internet will lead to so many references to giants that it's hard to know where to start. For example, on National Geographic's website, there is an article discussing Stonehenge, it's apparent age as well as some of the “myths and folklore” surrounding how it was built:
“According to folklore, Stonehenge was created by Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian legend, who magically transported the massive stones from Ireland, where giants had assembled them.” Stonehenge | National Geographic
Giant Building Stonehenge
Native Americans have SO MANY stories that a serious truth-seeker would be hard-pressed to not take them seriously. Legend, myth, or “fairy tale,” if these stories go back thousands of years, ALL OVER THE WORLD, in my opinion, there is a strong indication of their validity.
“The tradition of the Choctaws . . . told of a race of giants that once inhabited the now State of Tennessee, and with whom their ancestors fought when they arrived in Mississippi in their migration from the west. … Their tradition states the Nahullo (race of giants) was of wonderful stature.”
The holidays have looked a lot different the past couple of years. The great news is that holiday parties, school concerts, family gatherings, shopping, and vacations are starting to pick up, though with some restrictions remaining for many of us. This probably means you are busier this year. This is great after being cooped up the past couple of holiday seasons. However, it also means less time at home.
It is always nice to have some new ideas (or reminders of the old ones). So here are 3 Time Saving Kitchen Hacks for the Holidays to help deal with the time crunches that are likely to occur at some point in the next couple of months.
3 Time Saving Kitchen Hacks for the Holidays
1 – Go Semi-Homemade
As you know if you've been following me for a while, we are very pro-cooking around here. However, sometimes taking shortcuts can turn a potential take-out night into a total kitchen win. For example:
Grab a rotisserie chicken and incorporate it into soups or chilis or tacos so you can reap the benefits of high-quality protein without spending extra time cooking it.
If you're limiting grains, you can shred the chicken and stuff lettuce leaves with a squeeze of lime for lunch or dinner.
Buy pre-chopped produce, especially those hard-to-manage vegetables (ahem, squash) that are more time-intensive to prepare. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil and roast for a side dish or added to salads during the week.
Batch cooking is an efficient way to keep up with your healthy eating goals no matter what time of year. There is a good chance you have already done some batch cooking in the past. If not:
Batch cooking is essentially cooking more than what you need in the moment so you can take advantage of having all of your cooking tools and gadgets out (read: it’s way more efficient!). For example, we often chop up the broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and wash fruit so that it will be ready to go. This truly increases our intake of fruit and vegetables in addition to saving time in the long run.
Batch cooking shouldn't be confused with leftovers, because batch cooking refers to pre-prepping one component so you can repurpose it later.
For instance:
Need rice or quinoa for your Monday night meal? Make a large batch so you can easily incorporate it in salads and grain bowls all week long.
Making hard-boiled eggs? It takes the same amount of time to make six as it does to make two. Enjoy as a snack, crumble into salads, or mash with some avocado.
Baking sweet potatoes? Make a few more than you need, and you’ll have the base for an easy, customizable lunch ready to go. You can also purée or mash the flesh for baked goods and use in place of pumpkin in a recipe.
Is your least favorite part of cooking the cleanup? I get it! Simplify your life by searching for one-dish meals to seriously cut down on time spent doing the dishes. Here are a few to get you started:
Roasting your favorite protein with seasonal produce is a tasty no-fuss way to incorporate a few servings of vegetables into a meal.
Still learning how to use your Instant Pot? Now would be a good time! Click here for a great help for this.You can get frozen proteins to the table fast with this safe and simple pressure cooker.
A simple 12-minute recipe: frozen protein [like chicken thighs] + favorite jarred tomato sauce + a jar of olives = yummy cacciatore that will have everyone running to the table for dinner. If you use plant-based protein, like dried chickpeas, just soak the dried beans overnight and be sure they are covered with fluid [jarred sauce + some broth] before cooking in Instant Pot.
Can you think of any other kitchen hacks? Write a comment below. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and experiences. I am still learning every day! You can also email me at: Debbiesuerd@RD-Mom.com
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