It was bound to happen. With all the soccer games going on, and the musical, and the company, and the soccer games. Sorry, but there have been a LOT of soccer games. Oh, and the pollen count has been sky high.
Anyway, I got completely worn out. Exhausted. I’m really not sure how I lasted as long as I did actually. When I started losing my voice last week, I thought it was from trying to yell and coach soccer games. But it didn’t take long for me to realize, “Um Laura? You’re sick.”
I was finally able to take some time off on Tuesday and rest. And Wednesday. And Thursday. And Friday. Wow, I think I was more exhausted than I thought I was. I’m still not back to 100%. I’m getting there though. I’m focusing on eating nourishing foods (and lots of it), drinking water like crazy, getting a chiropractic adjustment every few days, taking Congaplex to give my immune system some help (per my Chiropracter’s instruction) and resting. Ah, rest. Where have you been? I’ve missed you so.
My husband has been a rock star and my boys have been learning from their daddy. They’ve kept the house from falling apart and they’ve done a great job helping to put meals on the table.
However, we’ve depleted all of the prepared food in the freezer and the healthy “convenience” foods I normally make to have on hand. We have no tortillas. No bread. No burritos. It’s starting to look scary in the freezer. (Well, we have a lot of frozen meat, but I wanted to give my boys something easier to make for lunch than say, fried chicken.)
Knowing that I didn’t have the strength yet to pull off a freezer cooking day, but knowing that we HAD to have food on hand that would be simple to prepare…I enlisted the help of the boys on Saturday.
I can not tell you how proud I am of my boys.
I started them on these homemade frozen hashbrowns. I figured if we had a bunch of frozen hashbrowns ready to pull out…we could fry them up with some hamburger meat, or with some turkey sausage, or stir them into a breakfast casserole, or fry them and put cheese on top, or scramble them with eggs…
There are so many possibilities with these hashbrowns. And so, my biggest boys set to work.
They scrubbed, stabbed and baked TEN pounds of potatoes. All by themselves. I had them just throw the potatoes into my big roasting pan for baking:
They went and played for a few hours while the potatoes baked, then cooled. Then, they set to work peeling and shredding. All of them. Without my help.
There was a bit of a mess on the floor when they were done, but I didn’t care. (Well actually, I made them clean it up.) Then they put the shredded potatoes into the freezer overnight.
We bagged them up (and ate some of them) the next day!
While the big boys were working up the potatoes, Malachi helped me make a double batch of Whole Wheat Waffles. (Don’t worry, I sat down between rounds of pouring batter.)
Now, we can just pop these into our new toaster oven
and heat them up for a quick and easy breakfast (or dinner).
Today, I’m hoping the boys can help me make a couple of Pizza Casseroles and some Chewy Granola Bars. We’ll see how far we get though. They’d have to make some Peanut Butter before we can make the Granola Bars, but since making Peanut Butter is so easy (and because the boys like making lots of noise), they should be able to handle it.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love my family?
Danielle says
My OLD chiropractor recommended Agrisept. I found a new one… who doesn’t require me to go 3 days week (my old one did, my new one… I maybe go every 3-4 months as needed. Not quite kosher w/a mom who works full-time and has real young children.
A good neti pot will help your sinuses. And I have a recipe for a drink. I don’t remmeber the exact amounts. I think it’s only 2 ingredients, apple cider vinegar and local honey. It’s suppose to help combat the allergies.
When i get home, I’ll look it up for you. I haven’t had too many allergy issues this year.
Megan Thompson says
i have been suffering from sinusitis for so many years and i can only relieve the stuffiness of the nose by means of decongestants.;”`
Joann says
This post really warms my heart. I just love seeing family members step up to help, especially men. What wonderful husbands they will be! My husband helped a lot around the house when he was young and that training served him well. Our sons have learned the same. Training our daughters is fun, too.
What a blessing for you to be able to rest! Congaplex is amazing stuff! Good for you.
Misty says
Feel better soon, Laura!
I, too, am blessed with a phenomenal family. When I was in the hospital for gallbladder surgery on January 4th, 2010, we learned that I was pregnant after 9 years of infertility. My gallbladder was getting worse and worse until I was so miserable, could barely eat anything and I was having major attacks nearly each day. My family – which currently consists of my husband and 10 year old son – cooked for me, cleaned for me and waited on me hand and foot. 4 weeks ago (at 17 weeks gestation) I had my gallbladder out and they didn’t disappoint! I have been cared for so well…and now our little baby girl is thriving and moving and will join us healthy and well in September…give or take a few weeks. :)
Melody says
Awwww…Laura, maybe I should’ve stayed a few more days and helped out. At least you’ve got a bazillion wonderful family members to help you out. :)
Laura says
Well, I would have loved it if you could have stayed…but then you would have gotten sicker (more sick?) than you already were too trying to take care of me and your own kids and my kids…! I’m just hoping next time I see you I have a voice, and you have a voice and your ears aren’t plugged…
:)
Kelly says
Laura,
When your body gets sick, it is telling you enough is enough. We as moms go and go and give and give. Unfortuatley, if we are not careful it can lead to adrenal exhaustion. Take it from me who in my thirties was homeschooling four children, taking care of our home, cooking and baking a lot from scratch, taking care of a diabetic son, involved in my children’s sports (mostly as a driver and spectator) and gave my talents to our church and homeschool group when needed. Then at age 43 I crashed. I am still trying to recover three years later. I am making progress, but it takes so much time to heal our bodies once we are past the burned out stage. So I encourage all moms to find some time for yourselves because we cannot take care of our families unless we are healthy and well ourselves. Thank you Laura for all your great recipes for this busy mom. Take care of yourself. Blessings
Crystal says
Feel better! I was sick 2 weeks ago and had to go to the Dr. I’m not a fan of medicine but sometimes you just need some good ol’ antibiotics! And boy did I! I need to start doing some research on some healthy preventatives because I suffer GREATLY from seasonal allergies.
How blessed you are with such a loving family!
Colleen says
What a great family you have to help you when you are down. I have a quick question – I have made your pizza casserole and my family loves it. How do you freeze pizza casserole? What type of container do you use for freezing? How long do you thaw it before cooking? Thanks so much.
Laura says
I just freeze it in a covered pyrex casserole dish. If you put it in a 300 degree oven for about two hours, you shouldn’t even have to worry about thawing before you freeze it. It will thaw slowly as it bakes!
Cheri says
Feel better Laura! I’m just coming back into the real world 2 weeks after a bout with Shingles. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful family too that helped out and took the reins while I was down. Grace and peace :)
Holly says
I hope you feel better soon! So glad your family can help like that!
Nony the Slob says
I love hash browns! Love to pre-cook breakfast sausage and in the morning mix it up with some hash browns. So filling and delicious. But it’s never occured to me to make my own hash browns like you did. I may try that on my next freezer cooking day.
April says
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sick. Thank goodness the boys were able to help you! Saying a prayer for you, get well soon!
shorty says
I too only have boys and they are ALWAYS so sweet when it comes to taking care of mom!! Yeah for you and your boys, give them a pound from us readers!LOL
Shorty
Becky Mason says
Could I ask you a question about your Italian Roast wraps? Do you add any water with this in the crockpot! I LOVE Your website and its so encouraging. I have a daughter with Skin problems and really looking for natural ways to help her! God Bless!
Laura says
Nope, you don’t have to add water! Just throw it in frozen and it’s own juices will work their magic!
Leslie says
Have you ever had trouble with your potatoes turning black when they are frozen? I had this happen once and have never frozen potatoes again.
Laura says
Not when I’ve baked them first as described in my hashbrown post. That’s the beauty of that technique. They don’t turn brown or black (YUCK!). I think you’ll be happy with the results of these baked potato hashbrowns.
Beth says
What’s the reason for peeling the potatoes?
Laura says
You definitely wouldn’t have to do this – they will just sort of fall off while you’re shredding them anyway. :)