Progressive Pioneer

The Friday Make and Do

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:55:23 -0700

My goodness, how is it Friday already?! That week just flew past! Here's hoping the weekend stretches out nice and long. And here are a few fun things to fill it, like making your own hip beanbags! How sweet is this mobile? Whipped coconut butter body lotion, yes please! These would have been perfect valentines for Sam to give out last year (this year his obsession is trains). Just how expensive are PVC pipes? This seems like a brilliant idea for kids that love building (and who doesn't?). Sam loves "real" materials and tools, and would think it was the...

No Sugar Cookie Round-Up

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:08:21 -0700

I've been slowly collecting delicious, no sugar (just unrefined sweeteners: honey, molasses, maple syrup, maybe a little sucanat) cookie recipes. These are the ones that health nuts like us AND regular folks think are declious, the all-around winners:) I thought I'd round them all up for you! I've starred the ones that we've tried and loved; the others are still awaiting the taste test... Clean eating almond honey cookies *Peanut butter brownies No sugar oat drops Carrot cake breakfast cookie *Sesame cookies (We had these on Christmas Eve) Healthy peppermint patties *Our new favorite lemon squares Almond butter blackberry jam...

Keeping the Computer Off

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:13:51 -0700

It's a love/hate thing my computer and I have going on. I love it, I really do. Where would I be without Google? Email? Pinterest?! But, then half the time, I think, "Who needs you? Stop being so needy all the time. Give me some space for crying out loud!" I don't like taking a quick peek each time I walk by the computer, I don't like trying to read a quick article, while I have a second while the kids are playing quietly. And I certainly don't like saying, "Hang on just a sec!" to those kids either. So,...

Lemon Squares, My Way

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:44:21 -0700

I'm so excited about this recipe! I've been working on it for awhile and finally have it to a point where it's ready to be shared. Clay LOVES lemon bars, but since they're mostly white sugar, I never make them, and up until now haven't been able to come up with a delicious alternative that doesn't rely on white sugar and flour. But these little darlings are whole wheat and almond meal and sweetened with honey and maple syrup. And they are SOOOO good! Get the recipe over at Plan to Eat, and if you try them (which you should!)...

The Friday Make and Do

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:25:00 -0700

Make your own flashlight! Herbal multivitamin tincture- yes! This gal went all out making a super cute fabric playhouse; I don't think I have that in me, but I do love the idea of the lightweight frame that a sheet with a few added seams could be draped over. It doesn't take a lot to make a magical space and I love the idea of it not being a permanent space:) Perfect for these last couple months of icky outdoor weather. No more worrying about toxic ingredients, when you're making your own watercolors!! (Might as well make some sidewalk chalk...

Child Labor

Amy@ProgressivePioneer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:41:18 -0700

I'm all for it! Not the making iPhones and cheap trinkets kind, I'm talking about the not-playing-video games-all-day or thinking-mom's-a-live-in-maid kind. The kind where kids, even little kids, do actual work. My parents made my brother and me work (me totally more than my brother, I swear) and Sam (who's three) has chores that he's supposed to do every morning (doesn't always happen, I assure you). I even have little chores for Vivi. Do you make your kids work? What sorts of jobs do you give them? Here are my favorite kid-friendly jobs. Sam's morning chores: pick up his room...