Yummy Thai Coleslaw (it's raw too)

Everyone seems to like this. I've been asked for the recipe several times, so I figured I post it here.

For The Salad:

Either buy the Trader Joe's broccoli slaw or...

3 cups finely shredded green or Napa cabbage

1 cup peeled and shredded zucchini

1 cup shredded carrot

1 bunch fresh chives, chopped

Herbs (can be fresh or dried):

basil

mint

cilantro

For The Dressing:

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce (I use tamari)

2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic peeled

One 1-inch piece ginger, peeled

1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder

1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients and toss to mix.

In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour dressing over the salad, mix well. Top with peanuts or almonds.

Adapted from Rawvolution

I liked this reminder

Do you want to be a more light-hearted parent; less nagging, more laughing?

Here are some tips that may help:

1. At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.

2. Sing in the morning. It’s hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood, and it sets a happy tone for everyone.

3. Get enough sleep. It’s so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the peace and quiet. But 6:30 AM comes fast.

4. Avoid feeling cranky by getting organized the night before and making sure you’re not rushed.

5. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,” “don’t,” “no.” Try to cast your answers as “yes.” “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,” not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.”

6. Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine.

I got this from www.mercola.com

Thank God

This has been a crazy week in the Hagen house. Saturday night Jonas had to be rushed to the E.R. and was later admitted to the hospital. He'd had a bit of a cold. I'd kept him home from a beach party that day, but felt he was up for our family shin dig that night. He was pretty lethargic at the party and was definitely struggling to breath. But he'd had something similar about a month prior, and had pulled through just fine (or so we thought). So, we just held him a lot and gave him some medicine my sister in law suggested.

Once we got home (10:30 pm) we realized the situation was getting worse. He was working so hard to breath and was making these sad gasping noises. At that point we decided that Caleb should take him to the E.R. I wasn't worried. I assumed they'd give him a breathing treatment and send him home.

A few hours later I talked to Caleb. Apparently the breathing treatment had helped but Jonas was not improving like they wanted him to, so he was being admitted to the hospital.

So, after 12 hours on the breathing treatment he finally started to show signs of improvement. Once they added the steroids he seemed to really perk up. I knew he was feeling a bit better when he punched me and then laughed. And things had really improved when he was calling me a poopy-stinker again.

I feel like God was really gracious to us. My amazing mom was able to come up and watch the other 2 kids. Caleb was able to take a day off work. And I got to have a private room with my baby, despite the fact that the room had 3 other beds in it.

While the emergency part of this was all happening I was very calm. I truly didn't feel worried or scared. I asked a lot of questions of the nurses. I talked them out of treating Jonas for swine flu. And I learned a lot about asthma.

The past couple of days have been the hardest. Learning that he might have life long asthma issues. Being told that he needs to be on steroids all winter. Seeing the medications mess him up (but keep him breathing). And I've just been tired.

But its in such perspective. Because tonight, at least, all my family is alive. And they're all breathing. And I have the ability to hold them and play with them. And I feel more thankful to God for that than I ever have.

camping

Sorry about the lack of comments on the last 2 posts. There seems to be so much to say and I haven't felt like saying any of it.

Our summer has been really fun. At first it was flying by and now everyday seems like two. But I'm enjoying it immensely. We've been to the beach a lot. Soaked up a lot of sun (this is Paxton's and Charis' new favorite phrase). Played with lots of friends. And have loved the break from school. I'm learning a lot this season about just being content. To be happy with what is, because it is. To not believe my untrue thoughts.

A few pictures that go with the last post got left out. These will get comments.

We had a 3rd of July party on the 4th. Ask Caleb why. But it was a fun BBQ with good food and, of course, many hours of badminton. Here are the kid's 4th outfits from Grams. I love the dance moves going on here.

Rob and Sarah came to visit us for the weekend. We trade off visiting each other every 6 months. Its a fun relationship because Charis adores Sarah and her jewelry and dress wearing ways. And Paxton talks about Rob often. They are pretty good role models for my kids to have. Paxton felt like he looked like Rob with these glasses on.

We went tent camping at Laguna Mountains over the weekend with 3 other families from our church. I love camping. I love being outside all day long. I love seeing my kids play nothing electronic for 3 days in a row. I love not cleaning my house.

One day we drove to Green Valley Falls and swam in the little waterfall pools. It was frighteningly slippery. But so fun for the kids.

Here is the whole group. I barely know any of these people. We were a last minute invite after another family cancelled. But I'm glad we got to go, and start relationships with them. We had a lot of fun playing games at night. Quiddler anyone? It's our new favorite game. We even did a round of Pit with our mouths stuffed with marshmallows...can you tell there were a couple of old youth pastors in the group?

We have a month until school starts. I'm looking forward to a lot more beach and friend time.

As of this week Charis is planning to do homeshool next school year and Pax is going back to the charter school. I'll keep you updated as it gets closer.

summer so far

He's six now.

I like him so much.

mothers day @ the beach

My brother, Scott, invited us to hang out with him and his family at their beach-front rental on Mother's Day.  They scored big time with this place. As you can see from the photo, the sand is a side walk away from the front patio.  

It was so fun to be there and relax and play with everyone. My parents came over for dinner and we BBQed. I played volleyball for the first time since High School (really) and was embarrassingly sore the next morning.

My awesome dad taught the kids to throw things from the balcony at the people below. Check out the laughter on his face when he realized he got someone!

This is my husband. He says I should feel lucky that he loves me so much. I do.

This documents the escape from a group sand burial. So much fun! 

Can't wait to do it again next Mother's Day (hint hint).