No electronics for now

My dearest daughter,

I'm saddened to learn that you're distressed about your digital life. That you're "the only one in the entire third grade who doesn't have an electronic."

I'm sad because when I pick you up at extended care, I see groups of you huddled around a hand-held device. I'm sad because you think that somehow you're missing out because you don't have an iPhone 5 or a iPad or other digital tool.

Yes, mommy has an Android. And yes, she's stuck using it a lot. For work. This is what happens when mom runs social media. But most times I resent having that device. I resent the fact that it interferes with my life, that I need to run to the phone when I get an alert to make sure it's not a complaint or burgeoning crisis.

I miss the days when I was unplugged. When I wondered aloud "Why do I need to have a cell phone?" When 30 channels had nothing on, and then I moved on.

But it's not about me. This letter is about you.

If I have the news on, I can happily work on laundry or dishes and listen in the background. But even a commercial is cause for you to stop whatever you're doing. And yes, I realize some of your homework is now computerized but I don't like you fighting with your brother for game after game on abcya.

There's an awesome world to explore. In nature, in books, in relationships. And when you're hiding behind a device - whether a TV, a computer or a game player - you're hiding from the world. You're hiding from conversations, from craft, from life.

When you grow to the ripe old age of 39, you'll realize that you don't recall the shows you watched on TV or the games you played online. You'll remember the fights you had with your brother playing Sorry, the worms you dug for with your neighbor in the garden, the friendships you made at soccer.

So baby, let's stay unplugged, for just a little bit longer.

Love, Mom.



Linked to Motivation Mondays at alifeinbalance.net.

Brownie Snacks Badge: Campout Menu

Cooking with 14 Girl Scouts is a challenge, especially in a meeting format. If you're ready to take on the challenge of a campout or day camp setting, this is the perfect way for Brownies to earn their Snacks badge!

Sample Menu:
Lunch:
- brown bag

Dinner: 
- hot dogs
- veggie faces and homemade vegetable dip (savory snack)
- foil-grilled or baked cinnamon apples
- patriotic punch (slurp a snack)
- S'mores (sweet snack)

Breakfast:
- Make your own trail mix bar (eat for energy!)
- juice boxes or milk

Follow Robbie @ Going Green Mama's board Girl Scout Camp on Pinterest.

Looking for more Girl Scout ideas? Visit my new scout leader resource site, Use Resources Wisely. 

Green Bean Delivery: 5 reasons to love the "Big Green Box"

Friday evenings, when we get home, my kids go never just inside. Instead, my youngest sprints to the  back door to see if the "Big Green Box" has arrived.

We've been happy members of Green Bean Delivery for years. This organic produce and natural product delivery service has been a wonderful addition in our home as we try to reach a healthier lifestyle.

We heard about Green Bean Delivery through one of the local green magazines, and decided to test it out. My husband initially balked about the price, but as we quickly found the produce far surpassed any of the offerings we could find at our local grocery stores. (That, and at the time, we had toddlers, so not having to check out produce while juggling two little ones was an extra blessing!)

Here are five other reasons to check out - and love - getting the Big Green Box in your home:

1. The quality and options are amazing. I love that I can have delivered to my home organic Asian pears, local apples, local shitake mushrooms and more. And, I love that in those rare instances that the quality isn't up to their standards, they will substitute an item - with an apology!
2. It's completely customizable. Unlike with a CSA subscription, you can decide not to partake in a certain item - or load up on something you love. Needless to say, you won't see a lot of peppers or kale in my box! You can also add on items as well.
3. You can start or stop at any time. Green Bean typically offers a weekly or every other week delivery option, but you can log in and even set your account to deliver on certain weeks if desired. I typically put my account on hold during the summer to support my local farmers, and there is no problem with that.
4. Customer service is wonderful. Any time I have contacted customer service, I have received a response within hours. In the rare instance an item was bad, I was immediately credited on my account. 
5. They look out for their people. We've had several storms that have shut down our city this past winter, and I'm impressed that Green Bean Delivery has sent out notices saying its delaying delivery by a day or two to keep their employees off the roads. 

We usually get a large produce bin every other week ($49), but they have two smaller bin options as well.

Green Bean Delivery has grown to include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Anderson, Columbus, Ohio, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Harrison, Batesville/Oldenburg, Louisville, Lexington and St. Louis. For more information visit greenbeandelivery.com.

New/returning GBD lovers! Green Bean Delivery has a special discount code for you: “15GGMml” It is good for $15 off your first order and expires March 8. It is for new members and reactivations only.

Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mint gooey chocolate cake recipe

Girl Scout Cookies have been my life this past month: It's the curse of the Girl Scout leader.

My dad's birthday was coming up, and we were trying to come up with a unique dessert for Papa's birthday celebration. I remember we used to buy my father Thin Mints for his birthday when we were kids, and so I was on the hunt for ideas on how we could use some of our extra boxes for a good cause.

Inspired by a post doing a takeoff on butter cake with Thin Mints and Andes Mint pieces, we came up with a recipe for an amazingly chocolately concoction that made the birthday boy happy. (Photo at right is it before its baked; it all melts together in gooey deliciousness)

Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mint gooey chocolate cake
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 stick butter
1 large egg
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
1 small can sweetened condensed milk
1 box Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, broken into bits.

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
Beat cake mix, butter and egg until dough forms; spread into the pan. Top with chocolate chips then condensed milk. Sprinkle with the crushed Thin Mints.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool before enjoying.

Learning to live with depression: Our family's journey

Nearly three months ago, I had the worst moment of my life. My husband - after months of my worrying - opened up for the first time about the deep depression he was battling.

But to this day, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that he realized he needed support. I'm grateful he saw his physician to get medical attention, and that he didn't give up when his first medication didn't work for him. I'm grateful he sought the help of our EAP program, and he was brave enough to share with his boss his struggles.

I wish seeking out help for depression meant you flipped the magic switch and that things have become automatically better. And many days, it has. I so much more appreciate the days when my husband plays with the kids and I hear them giggling in the next room.

But I still brace the days for the calls when he tells me he's having a "bad day" - when the medications aren't working with his body's chemistry and he can't function as well as normal.

Getting through depression as a family is, truly, a family affair. Having tough talks with little kids who might not understand what daddy is struggling with is not easy. Keeping the support of managing the household, when you're trying to lift up your loved one - is a challenge.

But you can get through it. Day by day, hour by hour.  I know; my friends whose husbands have quietly suffered know too.

It takes prayer. And patience. And persistence.

If you're struggling in your family with someone with depression, please know I am thinking of you!!!