Spring has sprung

So many things are growing! Our front garden Lilly's and Vinca are starting to pop up and I can see all of the yard work that needs to be done.
Rowyn is sprouting as well!  My baby is growing up!  We got her hair cut last month and we went to one of those chain kids salons that have the cool chairs the kids can sit in.  They also have cool bribes for the kids that include sparkles in the hair and a small little braid with a bead at the bottom.  Of course it's extra for the parents but whatev'.  As long as Rowyn lets the hairdresser take off the 4 inches I was needing to come off it's all worth it! Her hair was so long that it kept getting thing like ketchup in it, and remnant's of spaghetti from lunch or yogurt from breakfast ewwww!!!  Needless to say - the one hair cut a year we get went smoothly and she felt like a princess after.

The after the hair dresser picture.... what's missing from the pic is the braid with the bead but you get the gist

I walked into Rowyn's class the other day and noticed about 30 little clear plastic cups all lined up on a tray.... I instantly knew what it was - the kids are growing beans in little cups with paper towel wrapped around the bean!  Don't you all remember doing that as a child?  It's got to be a right of passage or something....

Rowyn on the swing set last weekend after we went to the home show and she got her face painted

And what else is sprouting you ask? Hmmm..... for my nutrition peeps and friends..... I've been getting creative these days.  For school we have to take a mandatory cooking class - a VEGAN cooking class (Brad cover your ears) that includes all things beans, cumin and weird stuff - even weird for me!  BUT I must say - I'm learning alot and enjoying the recipes and the process.
So, I decided to get an old mason jar and try sprouting my own mung beans!  For those that don't know - mung beans are small green round beans that can be used in almost any dish - great for soups and for sprouting!  Who needs fancy sprouting kits, just use a big jar, add a handful of beans, water and rinse.  Over the next two days watch them grow! 
Benefits to freshly sprouted beans include:
Active plant enzymes which help digestion, provide essential nutrients, and are great tasting!  And side benefit - very cost effective to incorporate into your diet.  Love this as the family is forever taking a probiotic which can be quite expensive.  Oh mother earth!  You do provide the right things to keep us healthy!!
Upcoming events:
The countdown for the Easter Bunny is ON! 
A ballet recital in May
A school recital June
A wedding shower end June
Wedding August
New deck, new gazebo.... and Holidays - YES PLEASE!!!

Enjoy the pics and more to come soon

Sprouting Extravaganza with Green Mung Beans!

Mung Beans after the second day 

 Delicious on top of salad!