This is Ruben, "Ruby" for short. But my mom insists on calling him...

 "The Wiener"

Linked to Mama to 4 Blessings, And Miles to Go Before We Sleep, and Shibley Smiles.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

I found the original recipe for this here a few years ago and my guys love it. If I want to take it to a gathering, I have to make an extra to leave at home. While there aren't many ways you can make it healthier, I do use Neufchatel cheese (less fat), part whole wheat pastry flour/part unbleached flour, demerara or turbinado sugar (gives the topping a good crunch too), and almond milk (although it's still far from dairy-free). It is definitely a special occasion recipe for us.

If you like coconut and wanted to change it up a little, you could probably substitute coconut milk for the milk, possibly virgin coconut oil for the butter, slivered almonds for the pecans, and add shredded coconut. Hmmm...I may have to try that.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
1 c butter, softened
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c milk
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c chopped pecans
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and 1 1/4 c sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased 9-in. springform pan. Combine pecans, cinnamon, and 1/4 c sugar; sprinkle over batter.

Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides of pan. Cool completely before cutting.


Linked to Tuesdays at the Table and What's Cooking Wednesday.

Fever Phobia

Are you afraid of a fever? When your little ones develop a fever, do you automatically reach for the acetaminophen or ibuprofen? Have you seen a recent commercial on television that first shows a crying, feverish toddler, who then, after supposedly taking a certain fever reducer medicine, is happy and laughing? My first impression from it was that we are to see the fever as the illness and that by getting rid of it, we fix the problem. It looks normal to most parents because we have been taught that a fever is a bad thing. We can't cure a cold but we want to do whatever we can to make our children feel better so we treat what we can.

For the past week or so, my younger children have been fighting a virus that apparently has been affecting most of the community right now. Miles has had an intermittent fever since yesterday evening and the first thing that both my husband and my mother said was, "Give him some Tylenol." After all of the research that I've done, I know that a fever is not usually dangerous and is really a good thing in most cases. Although opinions vary, my own personal limit is 103 "ish", depending on how my child is acting, his age, his symptoms, and how long he's had it. Dr. Sears has a guide to fevers in children here and Dr. Greene has more to say here. You may want to print the information to have as a handy reference when you are dealing with a feverish child at 3 a.m.

Have you stopped to think about why we get fevers? Did you know that a fever is actually the body's natural defense against viruses and bacteria? So while there are conditions that warrant reducing a fever, not all situations require it. By lowering it prematurely with medicine, you may actually be making it easier for the germs to multiply and make your child sicker. Not exactly what you were shooting for, I'm sure.

Another downside to fever reducing medications is the potential for allergic reactions. NG broke out in hives after taking Motrin (ibuprofen) when he was younger. And when you take into consideration the warnings of potential liver damage from overuse of acetaminophen and the numerous recalls of Tylenol products this year, you may want to take a moment and reevaluate the need to give your child or yourself a fever reducing medicine. The AAP gives suggestions for treating a fever without medication.

Consider the fever a sign that something is brewing inside your child's body and make sure that he or she gets plenty of rest, eats healthy foods, drinks plenty of water, and stays away from others. Monitor his or her fever and symptoms and don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms listed here.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor. My information is from books and trusted online sources, as well as from conversations with my own family doctor. Please read the links above, do your own research, and consult your physician. As always, my advice is to be informed. Don't do things a certain way just because that's the way your mom, your grandmother, or "everyone else" does it.  

I Am Thankful...

2010 has been a very eventful year for our family and I have many things to be grateful to our awesome God for. I am thankful...

• that my fifth son was born perfectly healthy and beautiful.
• that my husband returned home safely from Afghanistan four days later.
• for Papa Bear, who is a diligent and hard-working provider and protector for our family, who is proud to serve his community and his country, and who balances me out.
• for M1, who is growing into a confident, capable young man way too fast.
• for NG, who is nurturing, creative, and a good judge of character.
• for IB, who is friendly, funny, and adventurous.
• for LJ, who is tender, protective, and adorable.
• for M2, who is cuddly, sweet-tempered, and determined.
• that I still have my mother here on earth to love and spoil my sons (no matter how much I complain about it).
• for a stepfather who loves my mom and all of us as his own and is thoughtful and generous to everyone he meets.
• that we were able to pay off almost all of our debt and still have a down payment for a new house.
• for our new home, with room for all of us and family and friends too. 
• for access to clean water and a bounty of healthful foods.
• for our health and God's provision.
• for selfless people who put their own lives at risk to protect others: soldiers, law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency responders.
• that I live in a country where I am free to worship my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and teach my own children as I see fit.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   Colossians 3:17

Linked to 5 Minutes for Mom.

Wordless Wednesday #5 - "Boxed In"

{He was already in when I noticed the drill. I helped him navigate past it and make his way around, much like a revolving door.}

Linked to And Miles to Go Before We Sleep and 5 Minutes for Mom.