spring ketchup

Oh it's been so long.......will you forgive me if I offer you cake?

So much to catch up on......but where to begin?

the kids: Jonah turned 9....NINE! WHAT? WHY? WHEN? HOW? 

we are on a 5 week count down until they are out of school for the summer......hurry hurry hurry.

Easter Sunday, aren't they the cutest?

spring: spring is finally, just a teensy tiny bit deciding it's here. It's been cold and blustery these past few days, but the earth is slowly warming and coming back to life.....thank goodness.

running: I am finally back to running again. I hurt myself snowboarding back in January and didn't run for TEN weeks.....I think that is the longest I have gone with out running in.....like 12 years.....I thought I might die. But now the trails are dry, and life is good, and I didn't die.

chickens: the girls are back to laying daily now that spring is here.
as much as I wanted more babies this year.....I really didn't want them in my house again. So I think we are going to pick up a few laying hens to add to our flock. I didn't realize how much I would love this whole chicken farmer business...it really is so much fun.

school: I turned in my final papers this last week!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!! I never want to write another research paper again. I am sooooooo close to being done with this semester--I have 3 finals next week and then I've made it! I seriously cannot wait.

reading: these past four months of school I have read and read and read.....but it's almost time for me to start reading for fun again--woohoo!! I ask this all the time--but it's because you guys give the best suggestions--
What are you reading? 
What is on your MUST READ list for summer?  

blogging: It's been a good break these last few months, but I'm anxious to get back to sharing again--I've had lots of ideas brewing in my brain...

caking:

I think I have posted angel food cake 100 times (give or take a few) but it really is one of our favorites. we had this with our Easter feast last Sunday. 

Angel Food Cake

recipe for angel food cake by alton brown

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups sugar 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 cup cake flour, sifted 

12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better) 

1/3 cup warm water 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. 

Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside. 

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar. 

After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. 

Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. 

Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated. 

Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. 

Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry). 

 Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Homemade Whip Cream

2 cups whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla

Top with whipped cream, berries, and enjoy!

try it with chocolate whipped cream HERE

Happy Weekend!

blogged 1 year ago: not your mama's ruby red juice

blogged 2 years ago: dear moab, I love you
blogged 3 years ago: chocolate and coconut milk cake + my dorky debut

come find me on Instagram @_sheenarae for a peek at our day to day adventures

weekend plans

all worth it in the end

Every single minute counting down until we left was slow....sticky.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday seemed to span the length of an entire week.
Papers due. Tests to take. Stress piling high. 

I'd arranged to take a test early so we could head out Thursday morning and make our weekend longer. When my Wednesday was done I giggled while simultaneously feeling tears run down my face. We needed this break. I needed this break--a chance to clear my head before these last few weeks of school come raining down hard. We loaded the car--groceries, gear, jackets and sandals and anticpated our sunshiny adventure. It was finally happening!

Plan A.

Our first plan we knew may not work out--we had two campgrounds in mind that we wanted to try to grab a site at--a little unlikely this time of year in Southern Utah, but we'd try anyway--and if not we had a backup plan, and even a backup to our backup plan--such good boyscouts we are!

Plan B.

So yeah--plan A didn't workout--campgrounds full--but no problem.
We stopped in the town of Escalante and found out where we could camp in the area (anywhere that had already been camped in and had a fire ring--a good "leave no trace" practice.) We had our own water and didn't need a bathroom or any other fancy camp things, and we were pointed in a few directions of where to go.
We headed down down down the unpaved road--rocks flying, dust whipping, and tires...popping.

Our tire.
It was flat.

The flattest flat.

Plan C

We were 9 miles down the road, and it was 5:00--you know, exactly when the small tire shop in town closed. Robby put the donut on and we went over our options:

we go back to town and find a place to stay.....but then we are driving 9 more miles fully loaded down with gear....driving down the uneven road on a wimpy little tire.

OR 

Plan D

We were only a few miles from the area we wanted to camp--if we continued on and found a campsite, we could have camp set up, and head back to town in the morning, with less of a load in the car.

We went with D.

We were all anxious to get camp set up, and this would only set us back a little bit of time in the morning--just a quick flat fix and we'd be off exploring, as planned.

We continued down the road....? It was a road. ish.
It would have been fine had we not been on a tire half the size of normal, car fully loaded, and without any phone service. We decided we'd just pull into the first good area we saw to camp....so we drove and drove and drove....
The "road" was more of an "area" that had 
been "scraped" of it's "surface". 
Rocky banks lined the sides--there hadn't been a campsite yet.
"Let's just turn around" we'd say, and then laugh, because there was literally no place to turn around. We didn't want to go any further "off road" than we were, for fear of blowing our donut. 

(that should be a saying--"don't blow your donut". I like it)

ahem. 

So down the road we went, not a place to camp in site, and the road was only getting steeper, rockier, and less road-ish. We laughed and laughed and questioned "whhhaaaaaaaat are we doing?!" 

Finally! 

A campsite? no. 

But a corner just wide enough that we could do a 40 point turn in and head back to town. 

Back to town for....

Plan E. 

(By the time we hit Plan E we were STARVING, so obviously Plan E included Pizza.)

We found a little cabin for the night. And by little I mean it had one bunk bed for the four of us--adventure! The kids deemed that night "the best camping trip EVER!". 

It was fun.....and very....cozy(!)(?)

Plan F.

Rise and shine! We hurried out of our cozy bunk in the morning so we could be first in line to get our tire patched. After that we'd head out and find a campsite, and spend the day exploring--no time to waste! Plan F was going smoothly, until 

"this hole is too big, even with the patch, you're going to be leaking air"

NOOOOOOOOOOO.

Plan G.

"But I don't want your trip ruined, so let me go see if I have a tire--even a used tire that will work." Thanks Mr. Tire Man. 

Plan H. 

"I don't have one. 

The closest place that would have a tire for you is a couple of hours away"

Plan I. 

Sadly, at this point, our little donut was our best option......so there we were:

Loaded car, tiny tire, surrounded by gravel roads that were all off limits.

Plan J. 

We all pout. (and by we, I DO mean we, but mostly I mean me.)

We were sooooooooo close. Yet, impossibly far. 

Everywhere we had planned on being the next few days was miles and miles and miles down unpaved roads. 

Plan K. 

We go home. 

Plan K was quickly vetoed by all of us, obviously.

But what? 

Plan L.

We got out our maps and looked for anything and everything we could do from the safety of a paved road. We knew we'd have to leave a day early because we needed to get a new tire before we drove all the way home, but we were going to salvage this trip the best we could! Robby found us a few areas to explore, I found us an place to camp, and we were on the road again.

Plans M-Z. 

We played, explored, and roamed the desert. We looked for different rocks, flowers, lizards, and snakes(!) We crossed freezing cold water to marvel under a natural bridge. We threw up our tent beside the rocks and told stories under a full moon.

the perfect camping spot.

a camping "bath"....it was freeeeezing.

While things didn't go exactly at all as planned, we found a way! 

There is always a way.....will you find it?

Escalante National Monument

 Capitol Reef National Park

DETAILS:

photos:

the first few taken with my phone, the rest were taken with my Mark II.

In Escalante Utah:

Stay/Eat at Escalante Outfitters. The cabin was only $45 for the night and the kids seriously loved it. They are super clean, there are showers and bathrooms (not IN the cabin, but nice to have), and we were very impressed with the pizza--lots of yummy toppings--not your basic greasy pizza.

worth hiking:

at the escalante river trail head (off highway 12, between Boulder UT and Escalante UT), hike about 2 miles up river and you'll see a large natural bridge to your left. You can explore underneath--my kids loved it. The trees were just barely budding and the water was freeeeeezing, but we still enjoyed this quick hike--it would be a good one for summer time.
in Escalante National Monument:
last year we explored Zebra slot canyon HERE. We were hoping to explore more slots this time....but we will be back. oh yes.

from the car:

Drive down the Burr Trail Road out of Boulder UT. There are several trailheads right off the road--some really great areas to get out and explore.
also from the car:
the entire drive down highway 12 is INCREDIBLE. Nothing like it on Earth.

Capitol Reef National Park:

We hit this our on our way home--we have driven through Capitol Reef several times, but we've never got out to explore. We only had time for a quick hike, and we chose the hike up to Cassidy Arch. The views from up top are incredible--I love watching the rock roll from red to white and back again. The hike is only a little over 3 miles round trip, but there is some elevation gain and you are in the sunshine the entire time so make sure to have lots of water.

As always, I have to recommend:

KEENS and CAMELBAKS for my kids

My love for CHACOS

QUESTIONS:

Any time I post about camping I get so many questions--from gear to food to all the in-betweens. I did a camping basic post a few years ago--check it out HERE.
If you still have questions, ask them in this post. If I get enough I will work on a post and compile all of the info together.
I often get questions about specific camping locations--if I want to share, all the info will be in the post, promise!.....if I want to keep it a secret then I just might do that too :)

blogging about not blogging

last summer. one of our favorite family spots.

why hello there.

it's been pretty lonely around here lately, I know. 

dust collecting, tumble weeds rolling.

these next few weeks will be the same--we are nearing finals (super excited/dreading this time of year),

and I have what feels like 736 papers due and 421 tests to take.

but come find me on instagram (@_sheenarae) for a little mini blog action. I still post photos with little snippets of life, and super simple, throw-together recipes. 

see you......someday.

friday senses

powder for breakfast.

It's spring! It's Friday!! Woohoo!

Here's a peek at our week.

seeing: blue skies. melting snow. lots and lots of sunshine! spring is here (although I know winter is going to surprise us just a few more times this next month....)

presenting: I gave a presentation in school this week about healthy habits in early adulthood. I found THIS talk on dieting absolutely fascinating--check it out for sure.

schooling: Two weeks ago was midterms! I've made it halfway! These next few weeks are going to get crazy.....and I'm trying not to get nervous with all the papers/papers/papers/tests that will be happening. One day at a time, right?

playing: we've been up on the mountain every chance we get these past few weeks--ski season is just about over.

celebrating: Robby celebrates a birthday this weekend! I was with him when he turned 22.....and now he's an old old man. Can't wait to party.

dreaming: I won't lie.....I'm dreaming about summer.

reminiscing: We have been in this house now for a little over a year......crazy! It has gone by so fast ....yet also feels like forever.
reading: go back and read the comments from last weeks beauty post (HERE). I have the smartest readers in all the land! Can't wait to try some of the tips.

looking/feeling awesome: stuck in powder. laughing and flailing as robby takes my picture.

instagramming: I'm no longer posting your "How We Weekend" photos here on the blog--but keep tagging away and come follow the @howweweekend account for a chance to be featured there!
(new here? tag your weekend adventures #howweweekend on instagram so we can all see what you are up to!)

wishing: as soon as we are done in the snow, I need the trails to dry up so we can get the bikes out!

eating: quick and easy.....that's my motto these days. 

 

Burrito Bowl

I have posted exactly 1274 versions of burrito bowls on this blog....here is the latest favorite:

-brown rice

-quinoa

-black beans

pickled cabbage (cabbage and your favorite vinegar (white, white wine, red wine, apple cider...etc). Eat it right away or let it sit for a few days in the fridge. )

-roasted sweet potatoes (I always roast LOTS of sweet potatoes so I can throw them into whatever throughout the week)

-avocado

-sour cream

-lime

-cilantro

Happy Weekend!

natural beauty

This post requires audience participation......the more we hear from YOU guys out there in internet-land, the better this post will be. We can all learn from each other. 

Over the past few years we have become much more conscious about what we put IN our bodies. Real ingredients, no pesticides, no hormones, no "fake stuff".
We aren't perfect, but we try our best to keep the bad stuff out when we can.

The better we got at paying attention to what goes in our bodies, the more I became interested in what we put ON our bodies. My 6 year old has very sensitive skin, and it really got me searching for the right products, without harmful and irritating ingredients.

We aren't 100% natural.....just like our food--we try to do our best--but I don't stress out about not being "all natural, all the time".

Let's dive right in and start out talking about our armpits. (yay!)
Fun fact: I sweat like a beast--I always have. I'd like to think it's because I'm so active......but I'm most likely also sweating when I'm watching TV in the wintertime, it's just how I was made
(so feminine, right?)
I've always sought out the most potent antiperspirants available, but maybe you've recently read one of the [many] reports over the last few years about links between the aluminum in antiperspirant and breast cancer....it just makes me think. alot. I have tried a few "natural" brands of deodorant and hated them all--they felt weird, smelled weird, and did nothing.
And then I found Jungleman All-Natural Deodorant  
I mean.....it's called Jungleman! I have never seen so many reviews for a deodorant. And it only has 4 ingredients! Now here is the thing--if you are switching from an antiperspirant to a deodorant......you are going to sweat. Our bodies are supposed to sweat, but I promise this stuff keeps you from being stinky (did I ask my husband to smell my armpits....yes I did). We will see how I feel about it when summer temperatures start to make me drip....but for now I am a believer.
(ps for some reason the price shows up as $9something. There are a few other sellers on that same page that list it for less expensive)

Moving on.
I never thought I'd talk about makeup on the blog, I am pretty clueless when it comes to the stuff, but I use Bare Minerals Makeup. It's easy to apply, and the ingredients list is a fraction of what you'll find in some of the more popular drug store brands.

homemade coconut body butter

Coconut Oil

For everything!!

Remember my homemade body butter? I live in this stuff. If I don't have a batch made, I just use straight coconut oil as lotion--it feels good and you can't beat the smell.
I also take my mascara off with coconut oil, and whenever I straighten my hair I smooth it down with just a little bit. (I have very thick, very coarse hair. If you have fine hair, go easy on the oil)

Another way to use coconut oil that has become really popular over the past few years is Oil Pulling. Have you heard of it? I tried it last year and I have a craaaaazy gag reflex.....so I struggled with it.
The more I hear about it though....I think I might have to give it another try. 

Hair.

If you are hardcore, maybe you use Apple Cider Vinegar instead of shampoo? I have waaaaaaaay too much hair and need my shampoo, but luckily I was recently introduced to Devacurl Hair Products. They are free of sulfates and parabens and help keep your hair healthy. Also--if you have curly hair I promise you THESE are the products you want to be using. My hair is so much easier to manage, and SO much healthier since I've switched over.

If you don't need curly specific products, check out Loma Organics for another great option.

Speaking of Apple Cider Vinegar....what do you use it for? (and I highly recommend the Bragg brand--I've tried a few different brands and this one by far tastes the best). I feel like everyone has their own tips and tricks. I've recently been using it a few times a week [diluted with water] as a toner on my face. We take a spoonful daily during this cold and flu season [and by daily I mean we try for daily but half the days we forget.] Check out THESE uses for ACV.

from Canada two summers ago....just because I needed some kind of "natural" photo....you know.

Let's talk about our faces. Most of you know I was on antibiotics on and off for three years for Lyme disease. While they did their job for lyme (yay!) they also realllllllly messed me up. My face has never ever been the same. My skin wasn't perfect before, but it's a constant mess now, and over the past few years I have tried just about everything on the market--natural--and far from it. I haven't found anything that works (sad face). It's frustrating when I eat fairly clean, drink TONS of water, and really try my best to take care of myself.....and I am constantly pizza face. Last summer I started reading up on the Oil Cleansing Method, and researched, researched, researched, and it pretty much sounded like the miracle I'd been waiting for. After much research, I used a combination of Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Castor Oil. I tried it for about 2 months....and nothing.....I actually felt like my skin was [oddly] more dry, and my acne stayed the same. 

Yet I STILL hear about it's wondrous miracles all the time--people SWEAR by it. Are you a believer? Teach me your ways! I really want it to work. I still love the jojoba and rosehip oil and will put a few drops on before bedtime a couple nights a week during this dry winter.

Any one else out there acne prone? 
I'd love to hear what works for you. 

For my kids--I used to get away with just using Dr Bronner's Soap for everything--head to toe. We still use the soap (we always have it in the shower), but they both have too much hair and I don't love it as a shampoo for big kids. Like I mentioned above, my daughter is very sensitive to everything, so I really have to be careful about what she uses. We have loved Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo and Kiss My Face Whenever Conditioner. I was hesitant at first spending $15 for shampoo for my kids, but I just made sure they knew to only use a little bit, and this bottle is so big it has lasted forever. And it has been great for my sensitive gal and her crazy tangly hair.

I asked on Facebook what some of YOUR favorites were. I was happy to see that many of you shared my favorites, but here are a few suggestions that I am really interested in.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This has 1700+ reviews! Have you tried this? I think I need to. 

Grape Seed Oil. I have heard so much about the benefits of grape seed oil for your skin.

Shea Moisture. I had never heard of this line (also carried by Target) but just the scents alone have me intrigued.

Helpful Tips: 

*I found this website last year--Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep. I've enjoyed checking some of the products that we use and see how they rate--some not so awesome, and I know I can look for better options, and some things we love rate very well.

*Check out Elisabeth's blog--I especially like these 6 simple steps. I love the idea of not rushing out and replacing everything all at once--just use up what you have and then look for better replacements. Baby steps.

*Don't stress. I don't see us ever living a 100% natural life, and I am 100% ok with that. Don't let someone else make you feel bad because they "use more natural products" than you do. Who cares. I saw a "recipe" for natural toothpaste the other day, and it had coal it. It made me need to go brush my teeth over and over with my minty un-natural toothpaste. oh well.

What would you add to the list? Tell us your favorites!