Avonlea Academy Website!

Hi Friends,
I have created a website for my children to navigated safe and educational resources online and I wanted to share it with YOU! I have had a hard time feeling comfortable letting my children roam the internet on their own and have installed safe browsers, but I really wanted one place they could go to and find all of the websites they would need. Since there wasn't something like that out there, I decided to create it myself! I hope it is a beneficial resource for you as well. Also, if you have any suggestions or resources you would like to see on my blog, just use the "Contact Me" tab on the Avonlea Academy website and let me know! :)

www.avonleaacademy.weebly.com

Wholesome Family Movie List!

Hi Friends!
Quite a few people have been asking me for a list of Wholesome Family Movies, so here it is! I am separating the ones you can find on Netflix. Most of the movies are faith-based, & some just are safe & wholesome (no bad language, extreme violence, or nudity...etc). Netflix does change the movies they offer, so make sure to check on the Netflix website for updates.
Disclaimer: Some of the movies listed may be subject to maturity level. It is recommended that you view the movies before showing them to your kids. 

My List of Family Friendly Shows/Movies on Netflix for Instant Streaming:

• The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
• God of Wonders
• Creatures that Defy Evolution
• Brother White
• The Lost and Found Family
• The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
• My Six Loves
• The Shakiest Gun in the West
• Being Elmo
• How It's Made
• Andy Griffith
• What Would Jesus Do II: The Woodcarver
• The Adventures of Ociee Nash
• Veggie Tales
• The Borrowers
• The Incredible Mr. Limpet
• Father Knows Best
• Leave it to Beaver
• Eyewitness to Jesus
• The Case for Christ
• Hello Dolly!
• Sarah's Choice
• Seven Days in Utopia
• Liberty's Kids
• Courage Mountain
• What If...
• Flipper
• The Cosby Show
• Secretariat
• Oliver!
• The Secret Garden
• The Billion Dollar Hobo
• Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
• The Happiest Millionaire
• Herbie (The old ones)
• Dolphin Tale
• Schoolhouse Rock!
• Akeelah and the Bee
• Flicka
• The King and I (older version)
• Chronicles of Narnia
• Adventures in Odyssey
• 19 Kids and Counting
• Little House on the Prairie

My Favorite Family Movies (Not listed on Netflix):

• Time Changer
• Courageous
• Fireproof
• No Greater Love
• Anne of Green Gables (all 3)
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Narnia
• Meet Me in St. Louis
• Torchlighters
• Swiss Family Robinson
• Dr. Doolittle (Old version w/Rex Harrison)
• Facing the Giants
• Flywheel
• The Blind Side
• Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
• Monumental
• To Save a Life
• Miss Potter
• Felicity: An American Girl
• The Treasure Seekers
• The Pursuit of Happyness
• Temple Grandin
• WWJD II: The Woodcarver
• Remember the Titans
• The First of May
• Samantha: An American Girl
• Kit: An American Girl

Do you have any that are not listed here?

I'm Back! AND Olympic FREEBIES!

Hi friends,
Well, it has been awhile since my last post. These last few months have been busy for me trying out my side-business, Pampered Chef. I had a fun time & earned lots of FREE products for my kitchen! Yay! After a lot of prayer & consideration, my husband & I agree that my focus needs to be on this crucial time in my kid's lives. I am first & foremost a wife, mother & teacher. So I will be back to sharing tips on here with all of you! Yay! So glad to be back! :)

Here are the Olympic FREEBIES! Enjoy friends!

Olympic Ring Printing with Pool Noodle

12 Olympic party games & food ideas

15 Festive Olympic Projects

Olympic Olive Leaf Craft

Olympic Ring Pretzels

The Pampered Chef!

Hi Friends,
I wanted to share with you the reason I have not had a chance to blog lately. I just became a Pampered Chef Consultant! I am very thankful for the opportunity to work for a great company, get some great products & maybe even earn a little extra income. :) I am trying to earn my incentives for my first 30 days & I have until March 30th to get all of my orders in-I know soon, right? It is easy to get discouraged & take things personally, BUT I am trying to keep my spirit thinking positively & trusting that God will provide. If anything, I am just excited to have these amazing products in my home! I just got my kit yesterday & it was so much fun opening it with my kids. They were so excited too & didn't even wait for me to open some of the boxes. We have spent all day cooking in the kitchen together & trying out all of our new products. This business is giving us the opportunity to spend more time together!

Check out the website link below & place your orders today! When your total reaches $60, you get a FREE product! :)

https://www.pamperedchef.biz/christiemcguire

My Amazon Store!

I have created this Amazon Store so that you can browse and purchase products that I recommend or would like! :) To browse without leaving this site, just click page numbers 1-5 below the pictures. To be taken directly to Amazon.com click on the amazon.com logo on the bottom right hand corner.
Happy Shopping! :)

Health Tip of the Week- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

 The only vinegar that can and SHOULD be consumed daily.

Benefits:

• Helps clear acne when taken orally and applied topically. If applied topically you dilute it with water, dab it on a breakout and rinse after 15 minutes. If you have any questions about this or would like me to explain it further you can email me.

• Promotes digestion. A blocked digestive tract can lead to all kinds of skin problems. It is also a natural cure for constipation.

• Super high in minerals and potassium which can help slow down the aging of your skin.

• Helps reduce sinus infections and sore throats. Whenever we have a cold coming on our family gargles with this stuff.

• Encourages the growth of healthy bacteria within your body.

• Can help ease menstrual cramps.

• It has been used for centuries as a natural weight loss remedy.

I have had UTI's (Urinary Tract Infections) since I was a kid. The doctors had me on anti-biotics everyday as a preventative but it was of course killing my immune system. I looked up some natural ways to treat it online and started pouring about 1/2 cup of ACV in a bathtub with really warm water about once a week, and for about two years now, have not got an infection since! It really does work!

Found the info for this post HERE

Another Awesome Sermon Featuring Pastor Lance Hahn-"A Better Way"

This was such a wonderful message that totally hit home for me, especially the parts about fairness. I have asked so many of those questions such as, "Why does God allow certain things to happen? It's not fair..." Pastor Lance explains this so well & what I appreciate is how he breaks down the Bible, which can be difficult to understand, and makes it very accessible to everyone.

Sermon 2012.03.04 "A Better Way" from Bridgeway Christian on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Today the world celebrates the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss. For over 60 years, the books written by Theodor (“Ted”) Seuss Geisel have and continue to thrill young readers. In his lifetime, Seuss wrote over 40 entertaining, whimsical books for children which are not only fun, but open the doors to a child's imagination.

Here are some Dr. Seuss resources to celebrate his birthday:

"HORTON HEARS A WHO" CRAFT

LEARN TO DRAW DR. SEUSS CHARACTERS

LORAX LAPBOOK-FREE

FREE- MY VERY OWN DR. SEUSS ACTIVITY BOOK









LORAX PROJECT IN THE CLASSROOM

SUESSVILLE (DR. SEUSS THEMED GAME & ACTIVITY WEBSITE)

THE LORAX SAVE THE TREES GAME





FREE LORAX APP for iPhone or iPad

Description

Speak for the trees, for they have no tongues, with the Official Lorax App! Hold the phone up to your mouth, and talk. The Lorax’s mouth and moustache will move along with your voice.

 The kids had fun with this free app! :)

Sneak Peak of "There's No Place Like Space"

The Sneetches

OTHER DR. SEUSS PRODUCTS:

DIY Projects- Pinterest inspired t-shirt craft tutorials!

T-Shirt Necklace:

I saw this idea on a blog a long time ago and ever since I have wanted to try it out. It is great for when you want to add some color to your outfit but still be casual. It's just as cute as a scarf but less trouble and less hot.

How to make the t-shirt necklace: Take a plain colored t-shirt and lay it flat. Then cut off the bottom seam.

Found this image HERE

Next, cut one-inch strips down the width of the shirt. When opened up they will be circles.

Found this image HERE

Then, take each circular strip and stretch and roll between your fingers.

Found this image HERE

Then take one of the circular strips and cut one side to create a long string. Then take the string & tie a bow around your necklace. Voila! Super-easy!

Here is how mine turned out!

Car (Back Rub) Shirt:

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was so cute! I decided to make this shirt for my husband for Christmas & have the kiddos give it to him. He LOVED it!

Found this image HERE

Start with a plain white t-shirt and fabric markers. Using this picture as a guide, draw a map of your families town. Make sure to put a piece of cardboard or something in between the shirts layers so that it doesn't bleed through.

Here is how mine turned out

Don't forget to add the kids & the toy cars!

Fun and relaxing!

"Faux Crab Cakes" with Tuna & Quinoa & Pear salad

Tuna & Quinoa "Faux Crab" Cakes

Here is what my mixture looked like when I was done mixing everything in.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup prechopped red bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 green onions, chopped 
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten 
• 1 1/3 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), divided (we used a brand called Ian's)
• 2 cans of tuna in water, drained 
• 1 cup of red quinoa, steamed in rice cooker 
• 1 cup of fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation

1. 1. Combine first 6 ingredients. Add 1/3 cup panko and tuna; toss gently. Add whole cup of cooked quinoa to the mixture & stir. Divide tuna mixture into 8 equal portions; shape each into a 3/4-inch-thick patty. Place remaining panko in a shallow dish. Gently dredge patties in panko.
2. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons coconut oil to pan. Add 4 tuna cakes to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side. Remove from pan; keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and tuna cakes.

Serve warm with homemade seafood sauce and a salad.

This was a yummy dinner, cheap & healthy!

Homemade 1000 Island Dressing:

1 cup of Greek yogurt

1 cup of organic ketchup

1/4 cup sweet pickles diced

1 teaspoon of agave nectar

a dash of red cayenne pepper

Pear Salad recipe:

Arugula & spinach (or any greens)

1-2 pears, sliced
1 cup crumbled goat cheese

1 cup of toasted walnuts
salt & pepper to taste

Leave a comment and let me know if you tried these recipes and how they turned out.