How Important is Technology for Homeschooling Kids?

Today, there are more parents than ever in the US opting to homeschool their children. The reasons that parents prefer to teach their children themselves rather than send them to school vary. Some parents feel that they can offer their children a more varied or higher level of education. Others homeschool because their child has special learning needs or has been bullied in the past. While families who travel a lot, opt to homeschool to give their children some stability.

My kids and husband plus neighbor Matthew at the Johnson County Library's Makerspace event. They have learned coding but today they were making LEGO movies.

For parents who choose to homeschool, there’s a lot to navigate around. From picking the perfect syllabus to finding a teaching method that works for them. It’s not always easy being a parent who homeschools their children. However, many parents who homeschool say that technology has made it a much easier and less stressful process for them. The question is, why has technology made homeschooling easier, and how important is it?

Allows students to learn more easily

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Technology has meant that homeschooling children has never been easier. There’s a world at your fingertips online, with masses of homeschooling websites, documents, and data to use and rely on. There are websites that offer worksheets, reading suggestions, and tutorials to make homeschooling easier. It used to be a case of relying on books and worksheets, but the internet allows students to learn much more easily. For all parents who homeschool, the internet is a must. If you don’t already have internet access, you can find the current Time Warner Internet prices online. For homeschooling, the internet is a crucial tool because it gives kids access to the wider world.

Virtual learning

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As well as allowing students access to online worksheets, distance learning is another resource that can be used. For parents who can’t do all the teaching themselves, a distance learning package can be a good option. There are various syllabuses to choose from. Many of which, come with specialized tutors to help should you kids have a question or query. This means that when your children get older and into higher grades, they can continue to learn from home. For homeschoolers, virtual learning is a godsend.

Tablets and apps

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Tablets have made a lot of things easier, from entertaining kids to dealing with your accountants - there’s an app for everything. There are even effective apps for educating kids of all ages. From reading and writing to mathematics and science, there are apps for everything. A great way to help kids gain certain skills, such as mathematical skills, is with the use of apps. Even gaming apps can be educational; it’s just a case of choosing apps that help them to learn while having fun. There are also apps for reading, like the Kindle app that allows you to use your tablet like a Kindle. This can be used for fiction reading and for textbook reading. This saves you having to buy lots of textbooks as you can often get them via the Kindle store for free or for a lower price.

Technology has become essential in many parts of family life, including in homeschooling. It helps to make the process of distance learning easier and less stressful for parents, and more effective for students.

5K Runs and Walks in Kansas City: Pink Laundry Run October 1, 2016

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 6 and my oldest is 15, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... special equipment needed for my upper lady parts ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

What: 8th Annual Pink Laundry 5K Run

When: Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 8 a.m.

Where: In front of the Lee's Summit City Hall, located at Green Street and 3rd Street.

This event supports The Stephanie Vest Foundation,which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping families who are fighting cancer by giving hope in a time of need.

Fun fact: my uncle Kris used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years!

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

Get Rid of the Myths Related to Metal Roofing

This is the last week we can go to the pool during the day during the week (sad face), so we are taking full advantage of it and hitting the pool for hours a day. This means another guest post for you, yay!

Get rid of the myths related to metal roofing

As per the historians, it has been thousands of years that metal roofing has been around, in one or the other form. Romans, for instance, were used to have copper as a roofing material. While in today’s market world, metal is capturing ever growing and huge range of share in the residential re-roofing market. There have been several misconceptions about the metal being used as roofing material. Most of the roofers in Huddersfield are also suggesting the re-roofing the residential market with metal. Need is to ensure that one makes contact with a roofer that are known to be highly reliable. But first let us have a discussion about what wrong misconceptions have been there related to metal re-roofing.

They attract lightning:

We all know that metal is a good conductor of electricity but it does not mean it attract lightning too. It is a general rule that in any area, the lightning bolts are drawn to the highest possible object. It is due to this fact that they are often seen to be striking the trees or poles rather than houses. Moreover, even if the electricity is to strike the metal roof, it will disperse through it safely. Last but not the least; the grounded lightning rod is an appropriate addition to the just any building that does not have any taller structure around it.

They are heavy:

It should not come as surprise to you that materials like tin; copper and aluminum are lighter in weight. Let me be honest, weight is and can never be an issue when it is about protecting ones home. In comparison to this roofs that are made of heavy tiles have higher risk of roof collapse during winter particularly when heavy snow mounts up on the structure.

They are costly:

Metal roofing is far less expensive as compared to the slate. Then again, metal is relatively with expensive up front but the extended life time of the metal roofing saves a lot of money in the long run. Also it lasts longer with lesser maintenance.

They stand out:

People usually want to have roof with product that stands out the roofs in the neighborhood. But with the protective coating of aluminum, zinc or the combination of the both; the roofs look the same. It further expands the life span.

They are noisy:

Trust me, metal roofs do not sound like a tin or a drum when it rains. Installed with a solid sheathing; the material is as quiet as other kinds of roofs.

If you are also looking forward to hire roofers in Huddersfield then Eagle Roofing is one reliable name. They are professionals who will answer all your concerns related to the metal roofing.

Giving the Trim Healthy Mama Plan a Shot (Before Pictures Too!)

I'm not sure where I first heard about Trim Healthy Mama, but I got the plan book and the cookbook months ago and actually packed them away. We are thinking about moving and are clearing shelves and boxing up things to make it easier when we have to hopefully move to our dream house on land in a rush, and those books made it into a box. Come to think of it, I probably saw the book in the little newsletter called Above Rubies that I get ... the THM sisters are in this big, lovely family and their parents publish the newsletter.

Anyway, my friend with 10 kids in her 40s who just had a baby recently was posting some of the Trim Healthy Mama plan foods she had around and she was down to a size 4. No joke. I mean, she is a small woman anyway, but still. Size 4.

Don't get me wrong. I am not aiming to be a size 4. The last time I was a size 4 was the day I was born. Just kidding. Even back when I was on Weight Watchers before they changed the plan on me and got rid of my activity tracking software I always said I just wanted to FEEL GOOD. To mean this means:

No joint pain in my 40s and beyond (I'm 45 and having knee and hip issues).

No crazy menopause journey.

No mood swings; more even and consistent temperament despite being a Gemini with potential ADD (wink).

ENERGY like I had when I was younger. I'm a writer and proofreader for my "side career" and happy to sit on my butt doing those things, but I have myself FIVE kids (who I homeschool) and a husband, and I need to be up and around with a lot of energy to keep my marriage fun and to keep my kids enriched and having a blast with life.

So I'm giving this a shot. It is a HUMONGOUS book but the cookbook looks amazing and fun. I just have to find the time to learn about new ingredients and make some new foods. This will be a challenge since I'm a pretty fast cook ... I don't love cooking/baking and prefer to be doing other things.

Also, I'm incorporating this plan into the lives of my entire family. I'm not going to make them have Stevia or anything unless I bake it into my own goodies, but why not some extra protein and less junk? I won't be a Food Nazi; don't worry. And most of the stuff is not frankenfood processed crap at all, so that rocks.

Here's some stuff I got at the store and then some stuff from the THM website.

Keep in mind I have not read the book yet but I am in some Facebook groups and also a friend said something about frozen cauliflower (make it into rice or bake it into crusts?) so I got some.

This has maltodextrin in it so I should not have gotten it. I'll bake with it then not buy anymore. I want to try the baking blend they have on the Trim Healthy Mama site. Their stuff is not expensive, but not cheap.

Got this at Price Chopper. It was like $10 for a small bag but you only need a teaspoon to thicken things up. Great for smoothies and things like gravy when you don't want to use flour. No, I don't think gluten is evil. Just trying out something new. It thickens the shakes in a great way so they stick to your ribs.

This goes in my shakes, but the kids also like it and it has 50% more calcium than milk and isn't much more expensive.

Lean meats, cottage cheese for my orange shake and some lettuce.

Carb Balance tortillas are on plan but expensive.

Orange shake but I put in a few strawberries!

Pressed peanut flour ... I put some in a mocha drink I made to make it taste better and it has a lot of protein.

20g protein per scoop and only 90 calories; goes in my shakes mostly

Not Naughty Noodles ... 0 net carbs but full of fiber

Just for fun, here are a couple of "before" shots at close to 154 pounds on a 5' 2" frame. Forgive the non-professional photography!

I didn't put my arm there to cover my top belly, but instead to illustrate back fat ;-)

Keeping Fit with a #Ketogenic Diet

Guest Post: Keeping Fit with a Ketogenic Diet

Please check out today's guest post! Aron and Joel are still in South Dakota at high adventure Medicine Mountain Boy Scout camp, and I am busy around here keeping up with playdates and swimming pool dates, working on the house, walking every morning while listening to Dave Ramsey, proofreading and doing some fall homeschool planning. Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Millions of people the world over spend most of their time trying to keep fit. Fitness experts have come up with various ways to do so including exercising, maintaining a balanced diet and of course gaining the willpower and motivation to keep fit. When it comes to diet, you are told to get rid of junk food which is food that is high in sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Instead, you should be generous with fresh fruits and vegetables, foods high in protein and fiber as well as eat organic meats and grains. Drinking lots of water and knowing when to eat is also a factor to consider in your diet plan. So, what is it about carbohydrates and a ketogenic diet?

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com

A ketogenic diet is a diet that is high in protein, fats and low carbohydrates. What does it do? It simply changes the way energy is being used in the body which aid in weight loss and keeping fit. 

Understanding ketosis

Normally, when you eat foods rich in carbohydrates, they will be broken down into glucose which is the easiest molecule that the body uses to produce energy. Insulin is produced in response to high levels of blood glucose which in turn pumps it into the cells and converts it into fat. This means that with a constant supply of carbohydrates other energy sources like fat will not be used hence stored. Hence the weight gaining features of carbohydrates.

In a ketogenic diet, the intake of carbs is kept as low as 15g per day. This leads to depletion of glucose and glycogen leads to mobilization of free fatty acids from stored fat as a result of increased beta-oxidation. It is during this process that ketone bodies are released from the liver to be used as fuel in place of glucose, a state known as ketosis.

 Why being in ketosis is good

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Being in ketosis means that your body can utilize fats for fuel in place of carbohydrates. This ensures that there is no more stored fat in cells hence a lean body which is fit. Another benefit of ketosis is the increased rates of lipolysis and release of beneficial hormones that are usually blocked by insulin. When combined with a high protein diet, ketosis suppresses appetite unlike when you are on a high-carbohydrate diet. This helps in reducing food volumes that you eat. Ketosis also spares proteins because if favors ketones over glucose hence no gluconeogenesis. 

Reasons against ketosis

One of the main problems of ketosis is experienced during its early stages as the body shifts metabolically from burning glucose and glycogen to ketones for fuel. During this process, the body experiences high water loss, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, and aggravation. Another problem is the increase in fat-lipid profile which might increase cholesterol levels. Complex carbohydrates usually contain fiber, vitamins and minerals hence ketosis might lead to micronutrient deficiencies as a result of a low carbohydrate diet. Otherwise, you will need to take fiber and multivitamin supplements. Ketosis leads to ketoacidosis which is high levels of ketones in the blood and a high health risk for diabetics plus it can lead to loss of muscle because any low-calorie diet is catabolic in nature. 

So, is a ketogenic diet good for you?

The answer comes about after understanding it and carefully weighing the benefits against the odds. Keeping fit is vital, and if ketogenic diet cannot work for you, you can try other methods like laser liposuction to get rid of that excess fat to keep fit.