Keeping Up With "The Blogs" (or using a blog reader) - Plus a Few Surprises

This week, I shared with you my five favorite blogs that have nothing to do with special needs.  Those five help me find something to wear, my next good book, a new snack for the Bird's lunch box, and other fun stuff.  I also tend to read quite a few Christian blogs, as well as special needs ones, of course.

Since life happens and things get crazy, weeks can go by before I have a chance to check in and see what I've missed on my favorite blogs and then it's almost too much to read.

One way I've tried to combat this is by adding a blog reader to my phone.

No, this is not someone who reads blogs aloud to me through my phone.

A blog reader is a free and simple way to keep track of when your favorite blogs have a new post up.  With a blog reader, you don't have to keep checking each individual blog to see if there's something new;  the link simply comes to you, in whichever inbox you choose, like email or phone alert.

Feedly and bloglovin' are probably the most popular blog readers.  I myself use bloglovin'.  I especially like using the bloglovin' mobile app because whenever I find myself with a few free minutes, I can open it up on my phone and see a list of all my favorite blogs and any posts I haven't read yet.  It's an easy way to stay caught up.

If I've convinced you to give a blog reader a try, I hope that you'll add Along Came the Bird to your list of blogs to follow.

In fact, see those cute little red buttons on the top right of this page?  If you click on the one of a lowercase "b"with a heart beside it, you'll be taken directly to the link to follow my blog on your bloglovin' account.  Easy as pie.

And speaking of those cute little red buttons up there, did you happen to notice there are a few more of them than usual?  By clicking any one of them, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and bloglovin'.  Or you can shoot me an email or subscribe via Feedburner.

Another surprise?  You can now subscribe to Along Came the Bird via email.  Just find "Get The Bird In Your Box" over there on the right side column, click on subscribe and enter your email address. Anytime I post something new on the blog, it will come right to your email inbox. Also easy as pie.

I will periodically send out newsletters that you will only receive if you are on my subscriber list.  The newsletter content will not show up on the blog so not only do you get an email anytime I put up a new blog post, you also get a happy little bonus every now and then, just for subscribing.  Just a small way to thank you for following The Bird.

So do any of you use blog readers? If so, which ones?

I'll see you Tuesday - and don't forget to subscribe!

image courtesy of http://may-i-design.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/hello-weekend.html

Works For Me Wednesday - Keep Apples From Turning Brown in a Lunchbox

Sliced apples have got to be the most common fruit to show up in a kid's lunchbox.  They're easy, inexpensive, available year-round, and pretty much every kid likes them.

But it can be a challenge to keep them from turning brown.

Sure, you can send a whole apple but the Bird, like many kids, prefers her apples pre-sliced. 

I think those little bags of pre-sliced apples have a bit of a funny taste.  And they're over-priced when compared to whole apples.

So I was so excited to discover not one, but two ways, to keep apple slices from getting brown and yucky-looking by the time lunch rolls around.  Neither of these methods alters the taste.  And your fresh apple slices will stay crisp and white for a few days in the fridge so you can even pack lunches in advance.  It's a total win!

Option 1 - Fruit Fresh

Fruit Fresh is a natural powdered citric acid product most often used in home canning and preserving.  I put 2 apples I've sliced up in a container.  Then I mix up about 2 teaspoons of Fruit Fresh with about 2 tablespoons of water, pour it over the apple slices, put the lid on the container, give it a couple gentle shakes and stick it in the fridge and voila - sliced apples at the ready.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that the longer you keep the apples, the taste does seem to change slightly so I don't usually store them longer than two days.  But maybe that's just me.

Option 2 - Eat Cleaner

This is an all-natural, odorless, and tasteless produce spray that cleans your fruits and veggies, removing dirt and pesticides, that just also happens to keep your apple slices from browning.  But not only that - you know that waxy build-up that's all over grapes?  Well, Eat Cleaner will remove that, too. There are three versions of Eat Cleaner - a spray, a wash, and wipes for on-the-go food cleaning. I'm a huge fan of this product and I think you will be, too. 

So there you have it. Now go forth and eat crisp, delicious, and most importantly, white apple slices to your heart's content.

Linking up with We Are THAT Family and the Works For Me Wednesday feature.

Five Favorites: Blogs That Have Nothing To Do With Special Needs

I love finding a great blog.

One where I feel a "connection" with the writer because we have lots of things in common.  Where I get great information and news on things I love.

Basically, I love those blogs that make me feel like the writer and I could be friends "in real life".

Today, I thought I'd introduce you to some of my current favorite blogs.

Modern Mrs. Darcy - Anne is a compulsive reader who loves books.  And she's always recommending great ones.  When I'm looking for my next good read, I always head to MMD, knowing Anne won't let me down.

Of course, her blog is about more than books.  Anne puts a timely spin on timeless women's topics, with posts ranging anywhere from marriage tips, lessons on friendship, the wearing of make-up, what her homeschool schedule looks like, breastfeeding, better decision making, Myers-Briggs personality profiles, and more.

Cup of Jo - Joanna is former magazine writer who is now a full-time blogger living in New York City with her husband and two young sons.  Joanna writes about anything and everything, which means I often discover things I didn't even know I was interested in until I see it on her blog.  In my opinion, that's a sign of a great blog - stirring in me a desire to learn more about something I didn't know I wanted to learn more about.

For example, she's recently been doing a series titled "Surprising Things About Parenting in ____", featuring families raising children in places like in Abu Dhabi, India, Norway, Japan, and several other places.  It's been fascinating.  Joanna also always treats her readers to some great links every Friday, another favorite feature of mine.

* Keeley McGuire - Packing lunches for school is a challenge.  Add in packing lunch for a child who has allergies or is on a restricted diet and you have what can easily become pure drudgery.

Enter Keeley and her passion for making allergy-friendly food fun.  She has a refreshing and creative approach to packing lunches that are safe, healthy, fresh, and most of all, delicious.  I've gotten many a good idea for the Bird's school lunch from this blog.

* The Pleated Poppy - Lindsey sews, crafts, homeschools, and runs a home-based business.  In fact, I am the proud owner of two of her lovely infinity scarves.

While I like everything Lindsey writes, my favorite posts are her "What I Wore Wednesday" ones.  Each Wednesday, Lindsey posts pictures of outfits she wore the past week.  She started the series as a way to encourage herself (and her readers) to take a few minutes each day to ditch the yoga pants and just get dressed.

I like these posts because Lindsey shops most frequently at the three stores I myself shop at most frequently - Target, Forever 21, and Old Navy.  And because of this, it's not uncommon for me to own some of the same clothes as Lindsey.  I like to see how she puts them together because it often gives me another way of wearing what's already hanging in my closet.

* The Motherload - Growing from Amy Allen Clark's website MomAdvice, The Motherload is a blog full of tips on food, crafts, travel, saving money, organizing, and my personal favorite, reading.  Amy is a fellow book lover so this is another online resource I turn to when I've finished a book and can't decide what to read next.

What about you?  Got a favorite blog?  I mean, besides this one.  Obvi. 

For those of us who are Facebook friends, I know my status this morning promised you a couple of fun little surprises on the blog.  Well, they're not quite ready yet so we'll save it for another day. And the anticipation builds....

For the Love of Books

Today, let's talk about something that makes me happy.

Books.

 Since I know books make so many of you happy, too, I feel like today's post is just going to be one big happy love-fest.  I've got lots of fun links for you to explore, celebrating our love for the written word.

Marilyn Monroe reading

Let's kick things off with some good news - a recent study shows that being a bookworm boosts your brain power into old age.

Audrey Hepburn reading

I am thinking this is the perfect valentine for a book nerd:

Want to buy some?  Then click this link:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70842333/library-card-catalog-love-note?ref=shop_home_active

Looking for some lovely Pinterest boards dedicated to the written word?  Then check out these 15 fabulous Pinterest book boards.

Jackie Kennedy reading

Here are 30 great places to be if you love books.

Decorating with books makes a house feel like a home.  And here are 16 unique bookshelves for every budget.

Jennifer Lawrence reading

 If seeing all this reading material isn't enough to make you want to write your own "great American novel", maybe these writing rooms of famous authors will.

Grace Kelly reading

Take a peek at all the sweet little bookish elements in this wedding between a college writing professor and a literary agent.

Five of the coolest "Little Free Libraries" and a map you can use to find out if there are any of these where you live.

In the words of Anne Fadiman, "If you truly love a book, you should sleep with it, write in it, read aloud from it, and fill its pages with muffin crumbs." 

Here's hoping you find a little time this weekend to truly love a great book.  Along with a muffin.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

When I wrote what I learned in July, I mentioned that I have fallen in love with Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Even though it is September and in Austin, we're still wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, flip-flops, and re-applying deodorant at mid-day, I am finding that a cup of this lovely deliciousness is just what I need at the end of the day.  Or to start my day with a bang.  Or for a sweet little afternoon pick-me-up.  In other words, anytime.  

Hello.  

My name is Lana Rush and I am addicted to Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you that there are lots of recipes online for making homemade Mexican Hot Chocolate.  

None of which I have tried.

Because let's face it - while I love the idea of standing over my stove, stirring a fragrant pot of creamy, chocolatey goodness, that's just not my reality right now.

In real life, it's milk, a mug, a microwave, and this:

Well, maybe not the six-pack.  

Just a two-pack, more likely.

So here's my regular cup:

And here's my cup on steroids:

Because some days just call for whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.

Now if you're too good for my fast food version or if you have lots of free time, here are a few recipes I came across that sound delicious and maybe someday, I'll get around to trying.

The Pioneer Woman has a great basic hot chocolate recipe with several variations to it.

This looks like a good homemade powder version to keep at the ready.

Not feeling like a hot drink?  Then give this Skinny Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate a try.  

Or how about a little snack? 

Maybe some Mexican Hot Chocolate Pecans to shake things up a bit? Or a little Mexican Hot Chocolate Pudding? Or some Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles?

My friend Kimberlee told me that simply adding a little ground cinnamon to boxed brownie mix can totally rock your world.  Maybe topped with a little Mexican vanilla ice cream??

With all these great suggestions, don't let me be alone in my addiction.  Come on over to the dark side with me.  The dark Mexican Hot Chocolate side, that is.

The Best Thing I Did for "Back to School"

In preparing for Lily's first day of first grade, I read quite a few articles full of helpful tips to make that transition from summer break to school year a successful one.

For example, laying out clothes the night before, complete with hair clips, socks and shoes.  Or setting the breakfast table before you go to bed.

But if I had to pick one thing I did this first week of school that made the biggest difference, it would be this:

Prepack lunches for the whole five days.

I do this anytime I'm going to be out of town so that my mother-in-law doesn't have to worry about what to pack in Bird's lunchbox.  But I've never done it for myself.  Until this week.  And I just couldn't believe how much more relaxed it made the mornings.

I've plugged these before on the blog but I'll do it one more time - we use Easy Lunchboxes and their insulated cooler bags pretty much everyday.

photo courtesy of easylunchboxes.smugmug.com

Since Lily eats a predominantly paleo diet, these bento-style trays work great.  Most of her lunches look more like a "buffet of snacks" consisting of cut-up fruits and veggies, deli meats, trail mix, nuts, boiled eggs, popcorn, gluten free crackers, fruit leathers, and the like, along with a special paleo treat or two, like cookies, banana bread, or granola bars.

So last Sunday afternoon, as I'm getting everything ready for Lily's first day of school, I decided to try making her lunches for the week.  And within one hour, I had a nice little stack of Easy Lunchboxes...

... ready to pull out of the fridge and go.

We'll see how long it lasts but since the mornings went so smoothly, I'm hoping that motivates me to overcome my typical Sunday afternoon laziness.

Oh - and the lovely recipient of those nice little lunches?  

Here she is on the first day of first grade.  I caught her on the move but I also caught her looking at the camera!

Got any great back to school tips to share?  I'd love to read them so leave a comment!

Now get out there and have a fabulous (long) weekend!