Thursday, July 28, 2016

Like Never Before- A Sweet Summer Romance

This novel, Like Never Before, by Melissa Tagg, is what I would say is equivalent to Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts and Richard Greer.

Like Never Before- A Sweet Summer Romance, Book Review, Bethany House, Via Bella's Top Reads, Melissa Tagg, romance, Iowa, newspaper

It is a sweet romance where the woman is a strong woman. She also comes from a background where she is not void of mistakes. She had a failed marriage and moved to Maple Valley to make a new life for herself and that she did. He comes from a well to do family with roots in Maple Valley and lost his wife becoming a single father.

He takes a break from speech writing on the campaign life out in Los Angeles to come back home after he found out that he was left a newspaper business. It is not USA Today. It is just a small town paper that has been busting at the seams to be able to keep afloat but has a lot of love in it. Amelia's.

The way that Melissa writes this story is like real life. Like it is not made up. Based off something real and represented in a way that you can see it being very real.

I love that the woman is strong. She has feelings, she has a past. But she is real. She is smart, witty, has a big heart, and loves this new town she found.

The man represents a lot of current business men-- not void of feeling or hardship in their life. He is not painted as unreal. He comes from a well to do family but struggles. He has landed an incredible career but worries about his parenthood. He is still hurting from losing his wife yet wants to appear strong as if it doesn't bother him.

Doesn't this all sound real? Something I could believe was a real life story from a small town called Maple Valley.

I like that this book has feeling, charm, wit, and if you let yourself fall into the story, you will be charmed and feel like you missed the small town you never grew up in. You may even learn something about yourself!

I also like that instead of watching the movie version that ends in an hour and half, I can read this and 'revisit' the story line over the period of reading it making it last longer. It makes it a more enjoyable experience reading this book. I found myself a lot ingesting underlying themes and ideas and even relating them to my life- which was odd, because I was not intending that.

I really enjoy the build up, the way she writes, and the story. I think she should make this into a movie- it would be a sweet romantic movie.

This gets a 5 stars from me!

* I received this book in exchange for my honest review* 





Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Oprhs of the Woodlands: The Treasure of Hightower

Nothing like an interactive reading book, "Orphs of the Woodlands: The Treasure of High Tower" from Star Toaster to review for the summer to keep out reading skills afloat! 


Oprhs of the Woodlands: The Treasure of Hightower, product review, Via Bella, tos crew, Hashtags:  #hsreviews #readingsupplement #readingapp #readinggame  SEO Keywords:  interactive book, online reading program, early chapter book, homeschool elementary supplement, math, science, grammar, vocabulary, character, summer reading program, gifted, struggling reader


I was suppose to review Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree  which is I pod compatible and my Ipod basically went funky (not the good kind of funky) on me and they were AWESOME about working with not only to try to figure out what was going on but also figure an alternative. I was really bummed because I was looking forward to it- but I was happy to learn that I could do an online one for my older son. 


So, this turns out to be perfect. My older son can do "Orphs of the Woodlands: The Treasure of High Tower" on his computer. It will be a great transition back into a start of a new school year for him. We like to read and do things over the summer but keep it more low key. Especially with all the scout camps they have. 


So, I went online, got the book and started using it right away. 


Pros:

+ LOVE that this is online and not down loadable. 
+ Some is auditory, some of it read by the student
+ Chapters so you can do it different days
+ Love the look of the book 
+ I love that when I go into parent view, I can see lesson objectives 
+ Math which has 67 lessons
+ Sciences which has 32 lessons
+ Language which has 29 lessons
+ Vocabulary which has 66 lessons 
+ Thinking skills which has 62 lessons
+ Character which has 19 lessons
+ Life skills which has 34 lessons 
+ And the Arts which has 6 lessons 
+ Lessons correlate with a specific part of the lesson
+ Professor Forp sounds better than the average computer monotone professor
+ My son couldn't wait to come tell him what he had learned
+ It starts out in a fun way with them getting a letter and applying to be a spy
+ Once my son started, he was at it for hours, not wanting to stop. He really got into it.

Cons:
- Had to have my son view in teacher format for a few chapters because I had a hard time creating a student account under mine so I had to improvise. Finally figured out how to do it without any 
- Had it glitch in the online version and it went back to the beginning-- happened more than once. Not sure if it was my computer or the actual application, but it was super easy to fix

Son's Review:
He typed this not me, although, a bit cranky to boot while writing it. Just a warning. LOL.

It's a fun program but it's glitched a few times. I love the stories but I think they should have more letters and I think they should have encrypted messages like the Cesar Cipher and cryptograms. They also should have a colored background. I think they should not have over 25 pages just for one chapter. I think they should add more choices to the application, for example, I think they should allow you choose an animal besides a Gray Squirrel. 

The story is trying to teach me things that I've already known since 3rd grade. The story doesn't have any illustrations, if they put pictures in the stories the stories might be a little more interesting. Also I think they have too much words, if they shortened it the stories would be less boring.

Overall, I give it 4 stars out of 5 stars. The main setback is that it's glitchy sometimes and doesn't have fun puzzles and codes. They give you recipes and letters and other things to figure out. I can't wait to read the rest so I can learn more. 

I personally am excited for him to get more into these kinds of stories and learn more online. It is the inevitable way books are going. I love having the physical part of the books in front of me instead of online and I think my kids grown that way too. That being said, if you are going to do an online book, you want it done well and this is done well, in my opinion. 

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Orphs of the Woodlands at Tanglegate Review

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Why It's Good To Share Your Separation With Others

This may and could very well be controversial.  But I think it is super important.

I recently had a good conversation with someone about how much one shares about their separation to others. It sparked in me this want to share my thoughts because our views actually differed. She was saying that vagueness is fine. That even those close to you do not have the right to know why and knowing isn't their business. While I can see the validity in that opinion, I think it depends on who you are talking to. And most people I feel suffer in silence.

So, while I see the validity in that opinion, and there is a very fine balance as to what is considered TMI (too much information), and what is explanation that is wanted or needed by those close to you.

Why It's Good To Share Your Separation With Others, Separation, Divorce, Accountability, Others, Marriage, Relationships, Self help, Advise, Sharing

Just as when you ask council (talk to friends and family) in regards to getting married in the first place, I feel the same can hold true when you are going through a separation. In some ways, it is just as if not more important during a separation or divorce. Sometimes there are bigger factors at play. Kids. Home. Custody. You name it.

Finding out a way to tell your kids in a kid friendly way too is a whole other battle that is hard to figure out (and I personally am going to have a hard time with this). My sister gave me great advise though not to say "we don't love each other anymore" because that means the kids can see their value as conditional and whether they feel loved or not comes into play. Which of course, would not be true.

When we got married, I can't believe how many noses appeared in my business and how many different opinions, thoughts and ideals were thrown in. How many felt it was good, bad, indifferent. It was a more confusing time in terms of me being able to sort out what one person felt versus what I felt and what was real. Especially when you compare it to now.

Now that I am separated, the opposite applies and instead of noses appearing- they may snear and turn the other way and pretend they don't care but will secretly judge. It seems only right to me that they know what I would like to call, "the surface why." The core reasons why the separation is happening.

Maybe they can have sage advise on where to go to from here. How to heal from it. How it can work out. I don't know. But "the surface why" I feel is important both for the freeing aspect of it for those involved, so there is no hiding secrets or feeling we have to justify but simply hold ourselves accountable to that the reasons we are separating as legitimate and that we aren't 'chickening out'. Which trust me, is absolutely far from the truth for us.

But think about it-- sometimes one person airs it, and does so out of anger, hurt, deceit, whatever it may be. BUT some do it to HEAL THEMSELVES and their relationships with others.

Transparency, not TMI, is important. Think about it-- how can you move on otherwise?

Let me go even further into it.

Describe it from my point of view that I know many have struggled with and maybe this is you right now.

* You feel that no matter what, you will lose family when you tell them.

* You feel that no matter how you tried, you are responsible for the other person's actions because you couldn't fix them (and that is what other people are going to expect on your side).

* You feel that no matter how much you tried to change their feelings towards you, you can't.

* You feel that if you did more around the house, they wouldn't be so upset

* You feel that you brought out the core issues in the other person causing it

* You feel because you weren't perfect, it is automatically your fault

Sound a little off the wall right? But it is seriously what can go through your mind when you are separating.

"If I just did..."

"If I just had..." 

"If I were just good enough..."

Fuck all that. 
Took me over 30 years to come to that three word conclusion but there you have it.

YOU are good enough. 
There is someone out there for you! Period.
Every person has something to work on. We are all work in progress'.

At the end of the day, when you are married, it takes two to tango, but if one person isn't into the dance no more, you reach where one person is dancing (aka trying to make it work) and the other is not. Whether something small or big or in between caused the dance to stop is different for every marriage.

No one in at the core a bad person- so while I will say there is fault in each marriage and usually leans one way, doesn't mean that person is necessarily a bad person- just a person with bad (possibly very bad) choices. Or maybe I am still delusional and trying to work it out.

Why is sharing (accountability) so important? 
If 100% honest, open, and willing... 

If you tell someone why you are separating, it is like a world opens up.

1. You can be more FREE, I am no longer alone or lonely (even while single)

2. You can talk to others about it (small talk or deep and meaningful)

3. You can move on!

4. You can love yourself better when your heart doesn't feel it is hiding a secret

5. You can be sure the reason for your separation is valid
This meaning that a good friend will call you out if you are being petty about why you are separating but honestly I haven't met a separated couple yet that gave an invalid reason because when they shared it, whether big or small, it was REAL.

6. You will know that others will judge rightfully why you are separated
You can't guarantee it, but they will at least know and not chastise you over it

7. You will be able to stop worrying that you will lose friends and or family over it
If they know the reason, they can't start making up stories to go with it and put blame where it is not owed.

8. You can know that you are being honest
Honesty is the best policy. It is and can be ugly and uncomfortable, but it is necessary for having real relationships in this world.

9. You can focus on how you screwed up (we all do, small or big) and work on it
Let's be honest, we all have a hand in relationship issues, no matter how weighted it is. Your issues could be smaller or bigger hand in it. Nothing is truly balanced in terms of whose fault it is when it comes to separation- very rare. But when you acknowledge what screw ups are in the marriage and what you did, you can work on it to not carry it into the next relationship you have. Super important.

10. You will heal from it by sharing instead of always worrying, wondering, what others think or worse off, dig yourself in a deep depression that you have a hard time getting out of without medication or professional help (nothing wrong with getting professional help but you don't want to dive into a deep depression over feeling like you are hiding secrets from yourself or others that are close to you). It is toxic- which is likely what got you to the place you are, correct?

Think of it as a cleansing. You are cleansing yourself of the toxicity and part of that is sharing with the group of friends and family you have, the real reasons for your separation. This doesn't mean you necessarily air your shit on Facebook.

For example, I changed my status from married to separated but I did not announce it. Nobody honestly cares that much for me to post that. When I am ready, instead of publicly changing my status, I will actually write something here- like a PR release for my general friends and then go to those closer to me and actually pick up that old-fashioned thing called a cell phone and call them. Talk to them.

Another part in sharing is not bashing anyone. Writing something that can hurt someone in a deep way, is not something that fixes the problem either. Sometimes the reasons for separation are so deep and bad that it could scare the person and possibly change them for the rest of their life if you shared. Think about it if were you. Would I have a right to? I guess. But if it were me, I would want mercy. So I am going to show that back- whether they deserve it or not-- because it keeps toxicity out of it. So have that conversation over the phone or in private chat if you can.


Monday, July 11, 2016

Quick Guide to Packing for Summer Day Camp

This is a quick guide to packing for DAY camp. So, no, you won't see regular camping gear like a tent or a sleeping bag. (Isn't that nice?) Day camps have a different advantage than normal camps. And no, they don't have to be indoor summer day camps. In fact, the best ones are outside!

Quick Guide to Packing for Summer Day Camp, Via Bella, Girl Scouts, Summer camp, Lists, packing lists, Boy scouts,


It's the SUMMER! Woot!!!
And the kids are out of school and the first thing you think of is this....

"What camp(s) can I line my kids up for so they aren't bored all summer and driving me up the wall?!"

Well, on the first day of summer, I am prepping and going to be a camp counselor for Girl Scouts Nation's Capital and my kids are going to a day camp here called Camp Tuckerman in Rockville, MD.

It is going to be a blast! We are stoked to go.

But to be honest.... as the leader, I have already gotten sunburned over the weekend (I know, best example of what not to do... I swear, I put sunscreen on!) and am waiting until the day before to pack everything. Because, I too, like you, am a normal parent! LOL.

Before I go into the packing list, let's check off things that aren't packed with them for the day!

Car: 
* Make sure everything is running smoothly so you don't have issues during the back and forth of dropping kids off.
* You have ONE spot that you put your keys at all times so you don't lose them.
* An extra snack in the car trunk for the way home for the kids
* Extra books for the kids to read on the way back (if yours are like mine)
* A spot, like the front seat, for them to put their bags down and pick up so nothing is left behind
- Don't leave water bottles in the car.

Packing List:
* sunscreen
* bug spray (yes, even for during the day)
* sunglasses
* extra pair of clothes
* bandana (many many uses)
* creeking shoes (if they creek)
* notepad/pencil (if they like to take notes)
* snack
* lunch
* water bottle that can tie/clip/easily be carried (so they don't lose them)
* hat
* poncho (especially if you live in a place with thunderstorms)
* knee high socks (to prevent ticks and poison ivy)
* flashlight (small one, for exploring)
* a book if they get bored
* sit a upon (like a stadium cushion or you can make your own)
* Emergency medicine and medical forms (they will tell you what you need, of course)

My kids and I had a blast at Camp Tuckerman- but this applies to any day camp. I like day camps for my daughter especially because she can be actually quite terrified of bugs. I know, a girl scout is afraid of bugs. It is more common than you think (even amongst the boy scouts).

The fear of having bugs in one's tent is very much alive amongst any scout really, so not having to sleep over can have a great affect for the positive in introducing them to the world of being outdoors. Who knows- maybe they will develop of love of being outside and in nature.

I hope this packing list is helpful for you to pack for your next or current day camp. Make sure that they are ready to go and let them know what they have and for what so they know. Also, make sure they know they are responsible and can handle the experience and what they have in their bags.


Saturday, July 9, 2016

What is YOUR Intent?

The daughter of Deepak Chopra can even side step and get lost.

Just like the rest of us...

Just like a human...

We all do!!

This book is AWESOME to say the least.

I think it highlights both what is wrong with our social construct but at the same time what we can do about it. There is nothing more powerful than that.

What is YOUR Intent?, book review, via bella, living with intent, deepak chopra, maillika chopra, harmony books, meditation, self help, blogging for books

I will admit that I definitely wanted to read this based on the fact that it was Deepak's daughter. She says that he had rituals in his family about teaching his kids about being truly present and figuring out their true intent in things, thoughts, and life around them.

So this book is not some mumbo jumbo that is not practiced by the author. It is, and has been for a while; even through more than one generation.

In learning about intent, what it is, what it means, and putting it to practice with everything, she goes through that in this book and you will learn about more practices you can put into your life.

She goes through which each of these mean. There are even dedicated chapters to each and how to practice each of them thoughtfully. She even gives you tasks for you to do this yourself at the end of each chapter.

Incubate
Notice
Trust
Express
Nurture, and
Take Action.

What is YOUR Intent?, book review, via bella, living with intent, deepak chopra, maillika chopra, harmony books, meditation, self help, blogging for books

She takes us back to the basics of learning to appreciate those around us and to see how they live with intent and how we can model that. A lot of the times we stop to focus on ourselves, compare ourselves, or to get from point A to point B without a whole lot of care towards the world around us. Ie: Even through non-living situations like throwing trash on the ground while we are walking by instead of being conscious how it affects animals, our earth, and other living things. But that isn't all.

How we can learn to take time for ourselves?
Loving ourselves can be by doing very simple things. Simply by doing a simple meditation. Simply by refocusing ourselves in what we need to every day. Simply being present in where we are. Simply acknowledging that we are perfect. Loving ourselves is simply different for each person.

She is the CEO of Intent.com. She lives what she is preaching and there is nothing more trustworthy in an author than that. And we get to peek a little inside her journey and use it so we can also better ourselves.

She also talks about the life goals that we make. How can we incorporate the idea of intent into making SMART decisions. Decisions and goals are super important to propelling ourselves forward in life. Especially in places where we are coming from a place of darkness or hardship going forward.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

This is the more logical way of being able to make decisions. Some things we have to decide on in life or make goals with have to be logical and realistic while other decisions and goals are that are of dreams and rainbows and glitter. You need both (my opinion). Mallika is much more practical in approach (and there is no wrong way) and I love being reminded that you want to do be doing things the smart and practical way.

I suggest this book to those that feel they have lost their way and that they need to have guidance. If you are feeling you own the day, which is great to, than I think you can add this and enhance as well.

One of my top books for sure. 

Here are some awesome videos, in case you needed more proof of why you need to get this book! 



* I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion *


Code 13: Romance and Dirty Politics in the Navy

Why Pick This Book?

Something that drew me to this book to review is I LOVE shows like JAG. But also that after reviewing this book, I am giving it to my father (in law). He loves a lot of the same shows I do (CSI, NCIS, Law and Order, etc).

There is something that most Americans are a little afraid of and let's be honest. One of the biggest ones is being watched like Big Brother all the time. Anyone else remember that show?

Code 13: Romance and Dirty Politics in the Navy, Book look bloggers, book review, via bella, don brown, navy, code 13 book series, the navy jag series


What Is the Book About?

So, this book is about a company AirFlite that was bought from a South African company and brought to the United States where someone found incredible potential in the company. And not the good kind of potential. They have pushed to have drowns all up and down each coast line of America, to supposedly protect America from terrorists... but is that the real reason? This project will land billions of dollars into the originators hands.

First, it has to go through the legal review of the Navy to make sure it is not posse comitatus and waging an 'untold war' on itself and it's people through using military as police within the borders of the US.

The mob knows this will effect how they make there money and order the review and proposal of the contract dead on arrival-- even at the expense of another human's life.

Where is the Romance?

Caroline and PJ. They fell in love in San Diego California before he was moved to Code 13- the most prestige job (in the most unglamourous place) at the Pentagon that will propel his career. Caroline has been missing him and has really rejected an offer from Kriete, who really wants her, because of it. They almost got engaged! She was still dealing with that.

Kriete makes the sneaky upper hand move when she rejects him and moves her to Code 13.... with him where he also moves to the East Coast.

Whoa- a love triangle in the midst of dirty politics and more.

And this..... is just the start!!!

What Do I Think?

I really like this book but it took me reading through some slow starts to really enjoy it. I was tempted to put down due to a slow start several times. But it started getting really good a few chapters in. I am glad I picked this book. I won't totally get to finish it before giving it to my father, but I know he will like it too.

It had me reading before bed at night and I love that each time there is a new chapter, not only are you learning new details in the very complicated story, you are learning new things about JAG. You feel a little bit like an insider-- learning more about how realistic things run.

This is a second book in a series, but you would not know reading it.

It is like a JAG show but definitely heavier. It is more real. It plays on the real fear we may and do have as a country.

What is SUPER cool is that the author actually spent time in JAG for 5 years here in the D.C. area. That alone is super cool and explains why there is more understanding that went into the book beyond what is fantastical and not real. So that I definitely appreciate. It shows the sacrifices some make, IE: PJ, when he sacrificed his life for his opinion on a legal brief.

No matter who you are, there is something in it for everyone.

I review for BookLook Bloggers

Sunday, July 3, 2016

When it is Time to Focus Yourself

Questions for the Day:

* Have you been feeling like you are not understanding the path your life is suppose to take?
* Do you feel that you try to do your best and you still feel less than?
* Do you overburden yourself with things to do, what others think, or with anything in general?
* DO YOU FEEL LOST?

Last week, in church, I blogged my response to the sermon about letting go.
This week I am also responding because there is something else that I resonated with it and I bet will with you as well.

Talk about having a path, a focus, following the faith you try to lead.

When it is Time to Focus Yourself, church, advent, letting go, moving on, setting goals, self help, usain bolt, learning to drive, creating your path, via bella


Three Metaphors: Glasses, Learning to Drive, Usain Bolt

Josh equated it to wearing glasses. Which I do. (So I totally got the metaphor). If you wear prescription sunglasses or glasses you know that if you take them off you can't see anything right. Everything is blurry and unfocused. You can trip over something. You can run into something. You can miss-see something in a way that is not it's true form. So when we put on these glasses we are able to see clearer the path that is in front of us when we are driving. You can read the sentences in your book better. You can walk on the sidewalk, even see the leaves clearly. I remember the revelation of how bad my astigmatism was when I thought I was able to see the leaves, but when I first put on glasses, I could see the little veins on the leaves-- I could see all the beautiful hues in the leaves as well. It really was a revelation. If you have 20/20 vision, you get the metaphor but you totally may not understand it. So let's go with another one.

Josh also equated it to learning to drive. For me, this also worked with being on the track team. If we hyper focus or focus on too much as once, like looking behind us, in the mirrors, turning side to side, then we often lose focus of the path we are driving, literally. We can make sure someone doesn't crash into us, but we can't be so sure that we won't crash into someone else because we simply aren't looking forward.

Josh also talked about Usain Bolt because he was dubbed a prodigy from a very early age. He was going to be the fastest person in the world and break many records. He achieved part of that and in doing so also got an incredible amount of fame. Of course, with fame comes all the good and bad that goes with it. He was well known. He achieved part of his dream. But he lost his focus. Started eating fast food a lot (affecting his health) and going to bars. He lost his path because he stopped driving and took off his glasses.

The reason why I am blogging about this is because I felt it was potent at certain points for me. During it I felt lead to being told to "let go of him".  This kept getting repeated to me. That was some hard crap to hear while I am trying to imagine a straight highway (I-5 in California, if you will) and how I can re align my busy, traffic-like, bumper to bumper streets with lots of red and yellow lights kind of life into I-5 where things running smoothly.

I have struggled for many years with lots of things. Most important being my worth, being loved, allowing myself to feel hurt when I need to, and just knowing I am beautiful the way I am. Things that a lot of people struggle with. I have felt that I want to make sure that I am loved. So much so that I lost the pathway to real true love in myself and to me. It hasn't been easy for me to learn to have to let go of something so badly I wanted and would do anything to fix.

We are a fix it culture. Looking at our feet instead of looking at the finish line and figuring out how to get there. THAT is what we need to focus on. I can't tell you how many times even in track and field I would literally look down so I didn't trip. The one time I looked up, I tripped. Remember that well. That being said, that is track and not life. Life you need to look up. You need to have a goal.

Why Focus on the Finish Line?

When we focus on the finish line, we can see clearer our lives and our paths both in faith, family, work, love and anything you can name. Having been a person who loved making lists in the past, I don't know how I lost direction so bad. It is like I was listening to the wrong GPS and going down a path that was forced instead of being natural in the path that is unique to me.

You should focus on your "finish line". What is something you need to work on?

How to Focus on Your "Finish Line". 

Honestly, meditate. Take some time for yourself whenever you get the chance. Grab paper and pencil or pen. Make lists. Write. Process. When you are able to meditate and process, you can move forward. Just the meditation and processing part of it will take a while. Depending on what it is that you are trying to work on, it can take a day. It can also take weeks or years. So be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself in the process (I wasn't and it prolonged it).

What are the goals you are hearing that you need to change or listen to more closely? Write those down! Don't let them slip. Think about how you are going to get there. Write that down!

Think about the slip ups you have or things that keep you from those goals. When they do, weed them out. Make the conscious effort to change it. It will take work. It will be painful. But it will also be worth it!

Can you make more than one goal or finish line? Yes. Be conscious though how much you can really work on at the same time though. That is super important. If you over burden your process, you will quite. Don't set yourself up for failure.

Be realistic in your goals. Write them down somewhere. Keep track of them.

It is also okay to screw up, be sad, restart, be human!

What is something you are going to change and plan how to change it today?


Saturday, July 2, 2016

How to Make 2 Weeks Worth of Day Camp Lunches

Yay! You got your kids into day camp! That is an awesome experience they are going to love and help them grow as kids and humans. Hopefully, they will learn many great skills that they can take forward into their real life experiences.

Going camping (day camp) with the kiddos and have to pack lunches for them to go.
Sounds like one more thing you totally have time for, right mum? *oh sigh*

So NOT a parent that likes buying pre-made foods if I can avoid it.
And it is totally understandable honestly why some parents would in the busy-ness of things called life.

Here is what you can pack for two weeks worth of lunches/snacks for your kids. Nothing main made twice. Quite the shocker- I know. But it really is fairly simple, really!

How to Make 2 Weeks Worth of Day Camp Lunches, shopping lists, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, camping, day camp, menu planning, parenting, lunches, via bella

The only thing in the meals twice are things I know are hits like carrots and a cookie. The main part of the meal is totally different. Keeps them engaged with what they are eating.

You want something that you can throw together with a simple ice pack and have it be okay? I have done each of these with my kids and it worked out great. Talking about a 5, 8, and 10 year old. The worst critics of food in many respects but more than that, teaching them that they are eating for energy and have something good in every lunch.

Things that were important to me were to have things that I could put in all their lunches that was not only simple, but very nutritious with a little bit of naughty (sweets) in there! They will need their energy to be able to get through the rest of the day at camp.

And if they don't eat it, by the time we get home, they will sit down and eat it so they don't experience burnt out by the next day. Which is also why I vary what they eat each day.

If I could pack my entire fridge into my son's lunch- he would be good-- but this will have to do, and it did!

The Two Week Menu 

Day 1:
Banana
Ham & Tomato Sandwich
Pickle
Carrot Sticks
Cookie
Water or Lemonade

Day 2:
Plum
Boiled Egg (or two depending on kids)
Rice
Carrot Sticks
Cookie
Water or Lemonade

Day 3:
Nectarine
macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs
Carrot Sticks
Cookie
Water or Lemonade

Day 4:
Banana
Quiona and Black Beans
Carrot Sticks
Cookie
Water or Lemonade

Day 5:
plum
chocolate pudding
tuna sandwich
carrot sticks
Cookie
water or lemonade

Day 6:
BLT Sandwich
Chocolate pudding
Fruit
Carrots
water or lemonade

Day 7: 
Egg Salad/PB Sandwich
Fruit
Carrots
Cookie
water or lemonade

Day 8:
Lentil and Pasta Salad
Carrots
Cookie
water or lemonade

Day 9: 
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Carrots
fruit
Cookie
water or lemonade

Day 10:
Salmon Burger
Carrot Sticks 
Fruit
Cookie
water or lemonade

SNACKS AFTER:
* Fruit Snacks
* Granola Bars
* Homemade Muffins
* Whatever they didn't eat from their lunches (I do seriously do this)

I am hoping this helps you with planning-- even if you modify it or it becomes inspirational for you. The most important thing is that they are eating well while they are camping. There will be days you have to modify, rearrange, or subisitute something because let's admit things happen. Maybe like waking up 15 minutes before you have to leave because your cell phone dies. You are rushing to get them fed breakfast, get coffee, and get lunches ready at the same time. 

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