Since the initial use of computers in the 1960s for modelling fermentation processes (Yamashita and Mu-rao, 1978) and in process control for production of glutamic acid (Yamashita et al., 1969) and penicillin (Grayson, 1969), there have been numerous publications on computer applications in fermentation technology (Rolf and Lim, 1985; Bushell, 1988; Whiteside and Morgan, 1989; Fish et al., 1990). Initially, the use of large computers was restricted because of their cost but reductions in costs and the availability of cheaper small computers has widened interest in their possible applications. The availability of efficient small computers has led to their use for pilot plants and laboratory systems since the financial investment for the on-line computer amounts to a relatively insignificant part of the whole system.

Three distinct areas of computer function were recognized by Nyiri (1972):

1. Logging of process data. Data logging is performed by the data acquisition system which has both hardware and software components. There is an interface between the sensors and the computer. The software should include the com puter program for sequential scanning of the sensor signals and the procedure of data storage

2. Data analysis (Reduction of logged data). Data reduction is performed by the data-analysis su-tem, which is a computer program based on a series of selected mathematical equations. The analysed information may then be put on a print out, fed into a data bank or utilized for process control.

3. Process control. Process control is also performed using a computer program. Signals from the computer are fed to pumps, valves or switches via the interface. In addition the computer program may contain instructions to display deviccs or teletypes, to indicate alarms, etc.

At this point it is necessary to be aware that there are two distinct fundamental approaches to computer control of fermenters. The first is when the fermenter is under the direct control of the computer software. This is termed Direct Digital Control (DDC) and will be discussed in the next section. The second approach involves the use of independent controllers to manage all control functions of a fermenter and the computer communicates with the controller only to exchange information. This is termed Supervisory Set-Point Control (SSC) and will be discussed in more detail in the Process Control section.

It is possible to analyse data, compare it with model systems in a data store, and use control programs which will lead to process optimization. However, process optimization by this method is not a widely used procedure in the fermentation industries at present. It is important to be aware of these different applications, since this will influence the size and type of computer system which will be appropriate for the precise role that it is intended to perform, whether in a laboratory, a pilot plant, or manufacturing plant, or a combination of these three.

Components of a computer-linked system

When a computer is linked to a fermenter to operate as a control and recording system, a number of factors must be considered to ensure that all the components interact and function satisfactorily for control and data logging. A DDC system will be used as an example to explain computer controlled addition of a liquid from a reservoir to a fermenter. A simple outline of the main components is given in Fig. 8.25. A sensor S in the fermenter produces a signal which may need to be amplified and conditioned in the correct analogue form. At this stage it is necessary to convert the signal to a digital form which can be subsequently transmitted to the computer. An interface is placed in the circuit at this point. This interface serves as the junction point for the inputs from the fermenter sensors to the computer and the output signals from the computer to the fermenter controls such as a pump T attached to an additive reservoir. Digital to analogue conversion is necessary between the interface and the pump T.

A sensor will generate a small voltage proportional to the parameter it is measuring. For example, a temperature probe might generate 1 V at 10°C and 5 V at 50°C. Unfortunately, the signal cannot be understood by the computer and must be converted by an analogue to digital converter (ADC) into a digital form.

The accuracy of an ADC will depend on the number of bits (the unit of binary information) it sends to the computer. An 8-bit converter will work in the range 0-255 and it is therefore able to divide a signal voltage into 256 steps.This will give a maximum accuracy of 100/256, which is approximately 0.4%. However, a 10-bit converter can give 1024 steps with an accuracy of 100/1024, which is approximately 0.1%. Therefore when a parameter is to be monitored very accurately a converter of the appropriate degree of accuracy will be required. The time taken for an ADC to convert voltage signals to a digital output will vary with accuracy, but improved accuracy leads to slower conversion and hence slower control responses. However, cycle times of about 1 second may be adequate in many fermentation systems. It is also important to ensure that the voltage ranges of the sensors are matched to the ADC input range. More detailed discussion is given by Whiteside and Morgan (1989).

A digital to analogue converter (DAC) converts a

Fermentors Line Analyzers
Fig. 8.25. Simplified layout of computer-controlled fermenter with only one control loop shown.

digital signal from the computer into an electrical voltage which can be used to drive electrical equipment, e.g. a stirrer motor. Like the ADC, the accuracy of the DAC will be determined by whether it is 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit, etc., and will for example determine the size of steps in the control of rpm of a stirrer motor.

The small computer itself is dedicated solely to one or more fermenters. This computer is coupled to a real-time clock, which determines how frequently readings from the sensor(s) should be taken and possibly recorded. The other ancillary equipment linked directly to the computer might include a visual display unit, a data store, a teletype, a graphic display unit, a print out, alarms and a barometer.

The small computer is often connected to a large main frame computer for random access, not on a real-time scale, but for long-term data storage and retrieval and for complex data analysis which will not be utilized subsequently in real-time control.

It is also possible to develop programs so that on-line instruments can be checked regularly and recalibrated when necessary. Swartz and Cooney (1979) were able to routinely recalibrate a paramagnetic oxygen analyser and an infrared carbon dioxide analyser every 12 hours utilizing a program which connected a gas of known composition to the analysers and subsequently monitored the analyser outputs.

Data logging

The simplest task for a computer is data logging. Parameters such as those listed in Table 8.1 can be measured by sensors which produce a signal which is compatible with the computer system.

Programs have been developed so that by reference to the real-time clock, the signals from the appropriate sensors will be scanned sequentially in a predetermined pattern and logged in a data store. Typically, this may be 2- to 60-second intervals, and the data is printed out on a visual display unit. In preliminary scanning cycles the values are compared with predefined limit values, and deviations from these values result in an error print out, or if more extreme then an alarm may be activated. In the final cycle of a sequence, say every 5 to 60 minutes, the program instructs that the sensor readings are permanently recorded on a print out or in a data store.

At the same time as on-line data is being recorded from sensors, analytical data for broth viscosity, microbial growth, substrate and precursor utilization and product formation, which have to be determined sepa rately may be logged into the data store for specific known times. Carleysmith (1989) has described a data handling system being used by Smith Kline Beecham in the United Kingdom.

Thus, it is now possible to record data continuously for a range of parameters from a number of fermenters simultaneously using minimal manpower, provided that the capital outlay is made for fermenters with suitable instrumentation coupled with adequate computer facilities.

Data analysis

Because a computer can undertake so many calculations very rapidly, it is possible to design programs to analyse fermentation data in a number of ways. A linked main-frame computer may be used for part of this analysis as well as the dedicated small computer.

A number of the monitoring systems were described as 'Gateway Sensors' by Aiba et al. (1973) and are given in Table 8.3. Gateway sensors are so called because the information they yield can be processed to give further information about the fermentation. More details of analysis of direct measurements, indirect measurements and estimated variables have been discussed by Zabriskie (1985) and Royce (1993).

The respiratory quotient of a culture may be calculated from the metered gas-flow rates and analyses for oxygen and carbon dioxide leaving a known volume of culture in the fermenter. This procedure was used to monitor growth of Candida utilis in a 250-dm3 fermenter, to follow or forecast events during operation (Nyiri et al., 1975).

If one defines the fraction of substrate which is converted to product then it is possible to write mass

Table 8.3. Gateway sensors (Aiba et al., 1973)

Information that may be determined from the sensor signal pH

Dissolved oxygen Oxygen in exit gas \ Gas-flow rate / Carbon dioxide in exit gas \ Gas-flow rate /

Oxygen-uptake rate 1

Carbon dioxide evolution rate , Sugar-level and feed rate " Carbon dioxide evolution rate ,

Acid product formation Oxygen-transferrate

Oxygen-uptake rate Carbon dioxide evolution rate Respiratory quotient Yield and cell density

, ,nccs for C H, O and N with the measurement of Î a few quantities (02, C02, NH3, etc.). All the lthcr quantities can be calculated, including biomass °id yield, if the biomass elemental composition is known (Chapter 2). This procedure was used for the analvsis of a bakers' yeast fermentation (Cooney et al, \q'ri). Biomass production can be regarded as a stoichiometric relationship in which substrate is converted, in the presence of oxygen and ammonia to biomass, carbon dioxide and water:

Carbon source-energy + oxygen + ammonium ->

cells + water + carbon dioxide. Thus, the equation can be written in the form: r/G. 11.(). + M)2 + CNH3 -» dCrHsO,N„

where a, b, c, d, e and / are moles of the respective reactants and products. C, H vO. is the molecular formula of the substrate where x, y and z are the specific carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atom numbers. Biomass is represented by CrHsO,N„ where r, s, t and u are the corresponding numbers of each element in the cell. This technique was developed to use with bakers' yeast fermentations (Cooney et al., 1977; Wang et al., 1977).

Process control

Arminger and Moran (1979) recognized three levels of process control that might be incorporated into a system. Each higher level involves more complex programs and needs a greater overall understanding of the

Your Metabolism - What You Need To Know

Your Metabolism - What You Need To Know

Get My Free Ebook

Post a comment


How Much Are the Average Gas and Electricity Bills?

What’s in this guide?

To be able to take control over your energy, you have got to do one significant thing first; understand your average gas usage per month.

This might not be something that is at the top of your priorities, but with the steady price increase of energy and the projection that it will increase by a further 30% to 40% in the next five years alone, it might be time to take a look at your deal.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about your bills, how to estimate an energy bill including what affects them and how you could make some savings.

Let’s dig in.

What affects your bills?

Many things affect your bills, but here are a few:

✔ Size of your home
✔ Amount of people who live there
✔ The age of those people
✔ How insulated your home is
✔ When it was built
✔ What kind of light bulbs you use
✔ The type of tariff you are on
✔ How long you have been with your supplier

Let’s break some of that down.

Size of your home

A one bedroom flat might cost only £60 a month, whereas a large 5-bedroom house may be more like £150 a month, depending on how many people live there – that’s a big difference.

How insulated your home is

Often cited as the number one problem when it comes to heating.

Many old houses have a space between walls called a cavity, and if you don’t fill it, it can cause you problems regarding efficient heating.

The kind of tariff you are on

Did you know that standard variable tariffs, often called the default tariff, are usually the most expensive in the market?

You could be losing out on £100s every year by not switching to a fixed rate tariff. Yes, really.

How long you have been with your supplier

Did you know that up to 60% of people have never switched energy supplier?

Loyalty doesn’t pay off when it comes to your tariffs, and chances are if you haven’t switched in a while (or ever) you could be severely overpaying.

Price Increases

According to data, the price of energy had increased by over 140% between 2004 and 2014, and unfortunately, that number has only really risen in the last few years – although there was a temporary dip in 2016.

While it’s true that prices can rise and fall with the market, many different predictions state that energy prices are going to increase by 30% to 40% in the next five years.

After many of the price hikes by big and small energy suppliers in 2018, some customers are starting to ask some essential questions.

Am I getting the best deal? Can I take control of my energy?

Luckily, technology is starting to catch up with our ideas, so now you can not only compare energy suppliers with handy comparison tools, but you can also benefit from things such as smart meters and thermostats.

These devices allow you to break down your energy consumption and see where your money is going.

That way you can make more informed decisions about not only your supplier but also the way you want to heat or light your home.

What’s the average electricity bill a month?

According to UK Power, the average home in the UK currently has an electricity bill of around £49 per month, or £590 a year.

This is average consumption, which considers you have a three-bedroom home.

While that number may not seem too high, keep in mind that you also have to add your gas as well.

What’s the average gas bill a month?

The average monthly gas bill is approximately around £48 monthly, or annually it is around £572.

Again the numbers depend highly on the size of your home, which is why if you have a two bedroom flat, your average gas bill will be £33 per month, or £392 a year.

Bigger houses that typically have four or more bedrooms in the house have monthly bills that are approximately £66, or £739 a year

That means that if you have a larger house, you would expect a bill of around £1,311 annually.

Which kind of user are you?

So now that you know what kind of bills you can expect and what can affect the price of your energy, now let’s take a look at what kind of user you might be and how this helps you compare.

The three different types of user are low, medium and high – this is down to how much energy you use, so Ofgem has some facts and figures you help you work out which one you are.

According to Ofgem:

Low user‘ consumes 1,650 kWh of electricity and 10,000 kWh of gas a year

Medium user‘ consumes 3,300 kWh of electricity and 16,500 kWh of gas

High user’ consumes 4,950 kWh of electricity and 28,000 kWh of gas

Typically, a low user household will be a single person or perhaps a professional couple living in a one-bedroom flat.

A medium use household will be a small family living in a semi-detached house.

A high use household tends to be a larger family living in a detached house with three or more bedrooms.

How can I lower my bills?

If you’re looking at discounts or cash sums for your energy over winter, there are some other ways you can save some money.

Even if it’s saving a few pennies, they can add up and end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

The single best way to save money on your energy is to have a well-insulated house.

Having a well-insulated house means merely that you don’t have to heat your home as much, saying you could have some real savings on your costs.

Turn your thermostat down.

There is even some evidence to suggest that keeping your heating on at a lower level constantly could be cheaper than occasionally blasting your heating on for heat then switching it off.

Utilise clothing.

You could wear more jumpers, socks and slippers to avoid the temptation of turning on your heating.

But you should still use your heating during winter, as your pipes could freeze and burst, plus it might not be good for your health.

Turn your shower pressure down.

If you have a powerful shower, this can be a fantastic luxury. But, it could be costing you a lot and turning it down could save you some money.

Pre-cook meals.

As you can’t choose which shelves to heat in your oven, you could utilise all of the energy you’re using with it being on and pre-cook some meals for the week.

Use the right part of your hob.

Making sure that you use the right amount of energy to cook is essential, as it could save you essential pounds and pence.

Heat your home with cooking.

Why not open your oven once you have finished cooking and let the heat from inside warm your kitchen?

Unplug regularly.

Did you know that some gadgets and appliances still use energy when they aren’t even turned on?

Unplugging your devices such as your TV, phone chargers and computer could give you some significant savings.

Get free cavity wall insulation.

There are some grants and initiatives available that mean that you could be getting free cavity insulation.

Did you know that you could be saving up to £500 on your energy bills every year?

Take a look at the EnergySeek guides to find out more about your energy, or see reviews of the top 7 energy switching sites to compare gas & electricity.


CAF President Ahmed had reportedly been denied a US visa ©Getty Images

At least two high-profile FIFA officials, including the body's senior vice-president, are set to miss a crucial Council meeting due to start in Miami tomorrow, although the exact reasons why are unclear.

According to reports, both Russia's FIFA Council member Alexei Sorokin and Bahrain's senior FIFA vice-president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa have not travelled to the United States for the meeting.

It was originally also reported that the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ahmed, who is also a vice-president of FIFA, had been denied a visa.

The meeting will see discussions on, among other things, a possible expansion to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 teams to 48.

A statement published by BBC Sport, attributed to CAF, seemed to confirm Ahmed would not be attending the Miami meeting.

"I am sorry, I don't have more information," the statement reads.

"I just know that the President will be in Cairo."

However, the New York Times has said that Ahmed has been granted a visa and still has time to make the meeting.

For such a senior official to be denied a US visa would be unusual, with the reports now set to draw more attention to Ahmed, who has already come under fire from those within his own body recently for his supposedly "autocratic" decision-making style.

In January the CAF was criticised by the South African Football Association (SAFA) after they missed out on replacing Cameroon as hosts of this year's Africa Cup of Nations.

A crucial CAF Executive Committee meeting at which the new host was decided was moved forward by a day and SAFA claimed they were not told so could not adequately prepare.

Instead the tournament was given to Egypt and as part of the decision to reallocate the Championships, the original hosts Cameroon were given the 2021 event.

The Ivory Coast, who were originally given the 2021 edition, were then given the 2023 contest instead.

That move prompted an open letter from CAF Executive Committee member Musa Bility who resigned from two other positions, questioning the Madagascar official's authority to make such a decision.

Senior FIFA vice-president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa will also reportedly not be in Miami, though the reasons why are not clear ©Getty Images

"I can no longer summon the courage to work in these posts at the whims and caprices of the President who I believe is leading this noble organisation in the wrong direction," his letter read.

Sorokin was elected to the FIFA Council in 2017 and was chief executive of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.

He replaced Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko on the FIFA Council, who was blocked from re-election over a possible conflict of interest with his Government work.

He has also reportedly had "visa troubles" though again, few details have so far emerged.

Sheikh Salman is President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), having held this position since 2013.

The member of the Bahrain Royal Family came under significant pressure earlier this year to intervene in the case of Bahraini footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi, who was arrested on his honeymoon in Thailand at the request of the country's authorities.

The footballer, who fled to Australia in 2014, was detained having been accused of vandalising a police station in Bahrain during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

The AFC was condemned by campaigners for its muted response during Al-Araibi's more than two months detention in a Bangkok prison, where he awaited possible extradition to Bahrain despite him protesting his innocence and his refugee status in Australia.

Al-Araibi was a vocal critic of Sheikh Salman, a cousin of Bahrain's king, when the former contested the FIFA Presidential election in 2015.

He repeatedly claimed he would be tortured if sent back to Bahrain and after weeks of silence, the AFC said on January 26 that Sheikh Salman had no influence on its handling of the matter, before eventually supporting Al-Araibi's release.

insidethegames has contacted FIFA for comment.

According to Reuters, FIFA will no longer vote on plans to create a global version of the Nations League, as was originally planned for tomorrow's gathering.

It reportedly comes after a task force set up to explore the idea could not find a consensus on a suitable format.

Also up for discussion will be proposals for a revamped Club World Cup comprising 24 teams, to replace the Confederations Cup.

It has reportedly been decided Argentina and Colombia will co-host the 2020 Copa America after the South American Football Confederation turned down a suggestion from the United States to hold a Pan-American tournament.


Krake beschreibung - Ways to brainstorm for an essay

even begin that first draft, the time in which youre gathering your thoughts, you should write or type as quickly as possible to jot down each thought that

comes to mind. As you read about a current or past event, or a contemporary or historical issue, record the ideas in list or map form. A successful essay can be funny or serious, direct or abstract. If you dont, launch into whatever part of the topic attracts your attention based on your brainstorming output. If youre trying to write an essay and keep hearing that you need to first brainstorm this idiom might be keeping you from putting paper to pen. For nonfiction, the list can consist of opinions, arguments, facts, questions, or components, or any combination of the above. This works better than lists as it emphasizes the visual element, which is proven to help us remember better. Just get the ideas down, and dont judge them or organize them until the creative phase has wound down. Let something else do it for you Choose an object central to who you are. Of course, you first have to overcome that stubborn writers block. This method encourages individuals to explore outside perspectives in a new, fun way. If its a historical novel, read about the social structure and cultural atmosphere of the time and place, and take notes about how people dressed, talked, ate, worked, and engaged in other"dian activities. Then transcribe what you said onto your piece of paper. It shows up when were doing creative work and, in particular, when were working on something new. Then everyone passes the index card to their left or right. For fiction, list people, places, and things, values and qualities, goals and obstacles. Watch Queue, queue _count total loading. Cubing, in this strategy, a topic or idea is examined from six distinct viewpoints hence the name. Let the discussion ensue. The Next Step, if one of these strategies doesnt work for you, try another until something clicks. Create two piles in front of the writers: a Common Application prompt pile and a college prompt pile. Your essay should include the following parts: Introduction 1st body (strongest support) 2nd body 3rd body, conclusion, your brainstorming session then allows you to create an outline using each thought you want to convey in your essay. The teacher can collect and distribute nameless papers randomly, so only they know which paper belongs to which student.) Obviously, you will be able to choose the essay prompt that fits you when the time comes, but this game fosters out-of-the-box thinking by forcing you. You might find the key point youve been looking for, or change the one you had in favor of this new detail. Start with a single ways word/idea again and imagine that any other word you write connected to it is the branch of a tree. Any key words or sentences that pop into your mind you should add to your paper. Experts in all fields have used it to think of big ideas in a short amount of time, and it might be what youre looking for to proceed with writing your essay.There are many methods connected to this approach, such. If youve never used a Venn diagram for the purpose of brainstorming, heres an example: Perhaps you have an essay in which youre addressing the benefits.

And anything else your creative mind can conjure. After you have your main topics that you wish to cover you can branch off of those topics with supporting ideals and maybe even link your key topics together. Have a king quantitative goal, developing an essay prompt, it is the foundation from which you construct your narrative. Its not pretty, fill the Page, after one or more sessions. Grab a pen schülerhilfe and paper or your computer and start writing. Or If I had a memoir what childhood memory would need to be in there. Here are five fun, by Mark Nichol 3 minute read. The following list of brainstorming methods includes both individual and group approaches that can be applied to choosing an essay prompt. And use it as a guide. Rapid Ideation, three pages, collect all ideas and write them on a whiteboard.

Brainstorming is a great way to generate new ideas for a paper or project.There are more organized ways to brainstorm, however.Try the Text Box Method for.

Beschreibung handy 5110: Ways to brainstorm for an essay

You already have an essay to turn in peterßon wissenschaftliche arbeiten or at least practice writing one. And dont go back to rewrite. Before you really start the official application process. Do not pause in order to spell correctly or write flawlessly. Your voice, except you are drawing from a larger and more diverse set of people. When you are ready to apply to your schools. The literaturwissenschaftliche aufsätze veröffentlichen best time to start your college application essay is your junior year.

Youve listened to the college search lectures in high school, taken notes in English class, and chatted with your guidance counselor.After you have brainstormed its then time to turn your thoughts into your essay.Its so easy to put it off in an effort to avoid the stress, but speed writing the night before the application is due does not produce a quality essay and its way more stressful.

Seitigen, aufsatz schreiben, warum ich im Unterricht

Consider closing your eyes while youre writing or typing, or turn the computer monitor off.Learning to speak English as a second language is not easy- especially when introduced to idioms like who spilled the beans or she let the cat out of the bag.There are a few more orderly ways that you can brainstorm - using a diagram can help you quickly gather your thoughts but also keep them organized at the same time.Ask yourself, When was the first time I realized something was wrong or right in my life?”


Easy Spring Vegetable Frittata

One of my most recent breakfast favorites has been a hearty frittata, cooked for only a few minutes on the stovetop. More often than not, I crave savory foods for breakfast, so my go-tos are always avocado toast, eggs over easy with a vegetable hash, or this super simple frittata. The recipe is fail-proof and easy to make any way you like, but today I'm sharing a recipe that includes a few delicious veggies that are currently in season. You could substitute for almost any vegetables you like - or add meat - but the same basic recipe is the same. If you enjoy hearty, yet simple breakfast, I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Easy Spring Vegetable Breakfast Frittata

I never know how to describe how many servings a recipe makes, because honestly this could feed one hungry person, or two people. Or, you could eat half and save the other half for the next day! This keeps very well in the fridge, and is easily heated up in the microwave.

Spring Vegetable Frittata Recipe
15-20 minutes
serves 1-2

You will need:
A medium non-stick skillet with a lid
Cutting board & knife
Bowl & whisk

3-4 eggs
2 TBSP butter or cooking oil of choice
4-5 stalks fresh asparagus
3 whole white button mushrooms
1 shallot
salt & pepper to taste
fresh chives for garnish (optional)

1. Wash all vegetables and herbs thoroughly before beginning!
2. Finely chop the shallot and remove stem from mushrooms and thinly slice.
3. Bend asparagus slightly toward the end of the stalk until it breaks, then cut each stalk into 1 inch pieces.
4. Add butter or the cooking oil of your choice to the skillet, and put it on the stove over medium heat
5. Let the butter melt or the oil heat up, and then add the asparagus and shallot. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are semi-soft.
6. Once asparagus has softened, add the mushrooms.
7. Meanwhile, beat 3-4 eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Once vegetables are cooked, pour the eggs into the skillet and make sure they are evenly distributed over top of the vegetables.
8. Turn the heat down to low (almost the lowest setting) and put the lid on the skillet. Let the frittata cook until cooked through - about 15 minutes - egg white should be opaque, yolk should have no visible liquid. Cooking the frittata this way over low heat and covered ensures that it cooks the whole way through but doesn't burn on the bottom.
9. Cut into 4ths and serve. Wrap any leftovers in foil and store in the fridge.

Easy Spring Vegetable Breakfast Frittata

This breakfast is so fast and simple, and can be made with any ingredients you have on hand. I've even put leftover taco meat inside, along with a chopped bell pepper and onion, and topped with cheese - it was really good! It's a great way to use up vegetables in the fridge and get in a serving of vegetables in the morning. Ezra loves these combinations as well! This is a great recipe to share with your toddler.

If you're not a fan of asparagus, or just want a different filling to try, three of my favorite combinations are:

1. Yellow onion, green bell pepper, and mushroom

2. Broccoli, green onion and mushroom

3. Brussels sprouts, sausage and potato

Easy Spring Vegetable Breakfast Frittata

3 Alternative Easter Traditions To Start With Your Kids

I can't be the only person hesitant to put together an Easter basket for my 2 year old. Somewhere in the midst of packing up and moving 3 times in 6 months, I realized that I might lose my mind if we accumulate one more "toy" in the name of ceremony. Call me a "mean mom", but there's nothing magical about watching my son tear apart a basket of dollar-store items - or better yet, expensive items - only to forget about them 2 seconds later and go back to playing with a pack of highlighters he found on my bedside table. I know it looks great on social media (doesn't everything these days?) coordinating baskets and all, but I cannot be the only parent who just doesn't see a reason to give gifts for every single holiday year-round. He's got enough stuff he doesn't need...someone back me up on this?

I understand the tradition, and whether you're religious or not, I don't see anything wrong with it as a whole. In fact, my sister and I were raised in a Christian household, and we always received an Easter basket growing up. Easter morning consisted of finding our hidden baskets, followed by a trip to church, it was just what we expected. But now as a parent myself, I realized that I would rather fill the place of the Easter basket with a tradition more meaningful. As a Christian, it's important to us to teach Ezra why we celebrate Easter - it's OK to have fun with it, but for my own sanity, I think I'm going to leave out the gifts. If you're like me and you want to do the same, here are 3 easy ideas for something ELSE to do to celebrate Easter.

The Easter Story Egg - this is the one we've chosen for our family, and I was so excited to find this on Amazon during my search. Similar to the Resurrection Eggs, each nesting egg has a design painted on it that corresponds with a specific part of the biblical Easter story. As you open each nesting egg, you can read along with the Easter Story book (or read straight from the Bible). For Ezra, I think we are going to incorporate this nesting egg into an egg hunt. We are going to hide plastic eggs around the house along with the big wooden egg. Finding it will be part of the fun, and then once he finds it, we can go right into the Easter story!

Easter Story Egg Everyday Kate Blog

Resurrection Egg Hunt - Hide eggs around your home or yard that contain the elements of Resurrection Eggs. Once they find them all, take turns opening them and go through the story. As the years go on and the kids learn the story, give them each a chance to tell part of it as they open the eggs. Here's a fun set I found on Amazon!
Resurrection Eggs Amazon | Everyday Kate Blog

If you aren't religious, another fun option is to put together an Easter tree, similar to a Christmas Tree. This blog has instructions for how to make your own. You could put one ornament on each day of April leading up to Easter. You could treat it similar to an "advent" calendar - each day the kids could put an ornament on, and maybe have one task to do that day, whether it be an act of kindness, serving another person or just an encouraging word for the day. You don't need to wait until November to be thankful! 😉

There is still time to purchase or put together any of the above, or come up with your own! Are you and your family going the Easter basket route, or trying something different?

3 Alternative Easter Traditions To Start With Your Kids | Everyday Kate Blog

Amazon Finds: 9 Christian Books For Kids & Toddlers

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something within this post, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I will only ever link to products I believe fit the purpose and mission of Everyday Kate. Thanks for supporting the brands I truly love! Full disclosure policy here.

I was browsing Amazon the other day for some Christian-based books to buy for Ezra, and during my search I came across quite a few that caught my eye. As you probably know if you follow me regularly, our Christian faith is very important to us, which is why I was really scouring hard to find some Easter books that don't have a bunny as the main character. Of course all of the bunnies and springtime elements of Easter are fun to incorporate into every celebration, but as a Christian the holiday means so, so much more. I always hope and pray that Jack and I's faith can be an example for Ezra (and our children after him), and that he too can believe and trust in Christ. As his parents, we have the privilege and opportunity to point him in the right direction, even as a toddler.

I haven't purchased all of these books, but after looking through the listing, reading reviews, and hearing word-of-mouth recommendations for several of these books, I wanted to compile a list for those of you who are also trying to incorporate more faith-based books into your toddler or child's library. A fun bonus: some of these are perfect for Easter!

amazon finds christian book list

Will you be picking up any of these books for your child?

Spring Cleaning 101 - What's Your Decluttering Personality?

spring cleaning stock photo fresh and clean
photo by Heather Ford via Unsplash

There's just something about spring that really gets my cleaning motivation into full gear. I think part of it is being able to open doors and windows and let fresh, warm air blow through while I'm tidying and cleaning up. You just don't get the same effect in the winter when you have to keep everything closed up and protected from the bitter cold. Not only am I looking forward to spring cleaning, but also decluttering and organizing. Thankfully, due to our recent move, I've had a chance to really, REALLY sort through our belongings and eliminate things that leave our home cluttered.

I've learned what it takes for ME personally to get myself into gear, and it inspired me to help YOU figure out what type of organizer you are, and how you can benefit from your strengths (and weaknesses) when it comes to eliminating physical, mental and even digital clutter from your home & your life. So, in addition to today's blog post, I wanted to create a fun little quiz, along with some personalized advice for each "type" of personality when it comes to decluttering, cleaning and organizing.

spring cleaning 101 decluttering pinterest image

1. When trying to decide whether you want to give something away or get rid of it, look at that item in the light of your current lifestyle and be honest with yourself about the value that item has now.

2. Once you put something into a trash or donation bag - don't take it back out! Don't let yourself second-guess your gut feeling. Most things can be replaced, and for your items that do have significant sentimental value, there is a way to organize and store those things. No one is forcing you to throw away truly meaningful items. But for the things you feel you can part with, don't let yourself go back to them and consider taking them back. Break up with those things for good!

3. If you haven't reached for something in 6 months or more (sometimes less), chances are, you don't need it. The exception to this tip is of course seasonal clothes and decor items such as coats, Christmas ornaments and decor. For example, I recently gave away my Crock-Pot because I hadn't reached for it in over a year. It was a pretty big appliance taking up space in a bin in our closet. Yeah, it's a good appliance to have, but I hadn't used it, so why keep it? I haven't even missed it. 😊

Keep track of your answers, and see below for the results!

1. The current state of your home is...?
a. spotless (mostly)!
b. pretty cluttered...but it's all stuff that I NEED
c. some areas are messier than others.
d. chaos - always chaos

2. When it comes to tidying up, you...
a. feel the need to clean/tidy constantly!
b. attempt, but nothing ever feels organized
c. can never seem to find the time
d. have no idea where to start

3. Which of these stresses you out the most?
a. not being able to keep up with everyday clutter
b. having to part with anything I love
c. not having the time to effectively organize/clean
d. having no method or idea as to what works for me or my family/home

4. Think of the most peaceful area of your home, what makes it that way?
a. it's clean and clutter-free
b. it holds everything I love (sentimental items!)
c. it doesn't demand a lot of attention from me
d. I don't know

5. You are probably most famous for saying:
a. "We don't need ONE more piece of junk in this house..."
b. "Save that! We might need it eventually..."
c. "I'll get it done later."
d. "Who on earth is Marie Kondo??"

mostly A - purger

mostly B - hoarder

mostly C - procrastinator

mostly D - dazed & confused

green cleaning bottles upsplash image
photo by Daiga Ellaby via Unsplash

       As a purger, you have NO problem getting rid of stuff and eliminating clutter in your life & home. But a problem you often run into, is that ANY type of clutter or mess gets you annoyed and stressed out. As someone who loves things to be tidy, you get bogged down with cleaning up and feel like you spend more time worrying about the state of your home than you do enjoying living in it.

     TRY THIS:

       Keep a cleaning schedule in view, and give yourself grace when it comes to letting things get a little bit messy. Focus on one area of the home, or one cleaning task per day. If there are larger areas of your home that get cluttered more easily, make those a monthly focus. Rome wasn't built in a day; having a healthy rotation of cleaning & decluttering different areas of your home will allow you to get the job done without feeling like it all has to be done RIGHT NOW.

         I'm using this scary term lightheartedly here - surely you're not a true hoarder, but you HATE getting rid of stuff (but you know you need to) - clothes, toys, even things like receipts and kids craft projects or artwork. You're a sentimental person who sees possibility in everything, and hates to throw away stuff that COULD potentially have meaning or purpose. But deep down, you know that this accumulation of "things" doesn't make you any more happy, or make your home feel more peaceful. Something needs to change, but you're unsure of what to do.

       TRY THIS:
        Work on one area at a time, starting with the area in your home where you want to feel the most peace - the place where you choose to relax most often. For me, a clean & tidy bedroom means I can relax and sleep peacefully knowing I'm not surrounded by clutter. Then, break it down by section, depending on how much you have stored in that specific room. For example, if your first place is your bedroom, start on your bedroom closet, and then choose one thing to start with (shoes, clothes, or anything else stored in the closet). Follow tip number 1 about being honest with yourself about what is important, then throw it away (or donate) and never look at it again!

          You know you're living in a bit more clutter than you'd like to, and you have an idea of what needs done around your home, but you just can't seem to find or make the time to get into a solid routine and eliminate that clutter. Whether you're a busy mom, working long hours, or just tired after a long day, you always find excuses - which are valid, by the way! - that hinder you from taking care of some much needed tidying in your home and your life. You lack motivation!

         TRY THIS:
         Try to see the end result - the product of your hard work - and how your life might change if you DID take the time to do a little bit per day. It doesn't have to require hours of your time per week, or even per month! Use those "if, then" statements as your motivation. For example, IF you go through the stack of junk mail at the dining room table, THEN you will have more space to all sit down as a family for breakfast/lunch/dinner. IF you go through your child's baby clothes and donate or throw away things that are old or unneeded, THEN there will be more space in their closet, and less items to go through later on as they get older and bigger. Start with small tasks.

        All you know is that your life is cluttered, and that's about it. You have no idea what to do about anything, you might not even know that this whole "decluttering" thing is pretty much a trend right now. All you know is that something should probably be done about all of the "stuff" that's taking up space in your home and life.

         TRY THIS:
         Start with what you DO know. What feels most cluttered on a daily basis, and what constantly annoys you? Start there, and then figure out why it bothers you - too cluttered with junk? Important or meaningful things that need organized? Begin in the area of your home that you use the most, or where you find yourself most often getting frustrated. Once you figure out why it bothers you, use the tips above to eliminate trash, donate items that you no longer use, and then find the best way to re-organize. It doesn't have to be a time-consuming or confusing process, all you need to do is take it step by step!

Which personality type are you? Did you find these tips helpful?

March Favorites - Home, Baby, Skincare & More

I haven't shared a favorites post in a while, so I thought I would create a post detailing a few things I loved in the month of March!

madewell top

I LOVE this top I picked up from Madewell earlier this month. It's my favorite item in my closet and it was worth the splurge.

This dry texture spray from the Kristen Ess line at Target. I asked you on Instagram if this was good (since it always seemed to be sold out) and I ended up loving it! The bottle lasts a long time as well.

The Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer by Fresh. I bought this upon recommendation from one of my favorite bloggers, and it did not disappoint! The price tag is a little hefty for my liking, but I do really enjoy the product.

The Suspect by Fiona Barton - I surprisingly loved this book. I picked it up on a whim after storytime one day, and once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down.

Surprize by Stride Rite - These are my favorite shoes to get for Ezra. They are amazing quality and have shoes to accomodate so many stages of walking. I just bought him some at Target earlier this month to use as "play shoes", and they seem to be comfortable and supportive for him.

My favorite breakfast this month has either been frittata, or muesli with greek yogurt with honey and roasted cacao chips. Both are so delicious and satisfying no matter if I'm craving something savory or sweet for breakfast.

Cabbage is definitely having a moment in our household. I've made this soup twice over the last two weeks; we have been absolutely loving the Detoxing Cabbage Soup by The Defined Dish. If you're a cabbage lover like we are, you'll love this comforting and delicious soup.

If you follow on Instagram, you know I cleaned our oven earlier this month using this recipe I found on Pinterest. It actually worked really well, and it only contained a few ingredients.

I included the Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara in my beauty routine I posted earlier this month, and I've really enjoyed using it as part of my routine. Mascara is a staple for me, so it always helps to have a great one as part of my routine.

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

I'll be the first to tell you that I'm no beauty guru, but I do occasionally find the need to put on a bit of makeup, so I can look (and feel) human when leaving the house. As a teen and in my early 20's, I used to spend up to an hour getting ready for the day - and now as a mom, I just don't have that kind of time. I've come up with a daily skincare and makeup routine that requires little effort, and still leaves me feeling and looking refreshed.

Daytime Makeup

My skin seems to be on the normal/oily side almost year-round. I hardly ever find myself suffering from dry skin on my face. That being said, I've found my current skincare & makeup routine to work well with my oily skin and keep hormonal breakouts at bay. In this post I've listed all the things I use specifically for daytime, I use a few different things at night!

simple easy makeup and daytime skincare

In the morning I find that washing my face makes it feel tight, so instead I rinse with warm water and use the Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Facial Toner to quickly cleanse my face with a cotton pad. I love using this over any other astringent or toner because it's so gentle, and it's great at calming any redness on my face due to irritation or breakouts.

Next, I use the Physicians Formula Rosé All Day serum to moisturize and prime my skin for makeup application. I love this serum because not only is it hydrating, it smells amazing and it's non-greasy. It also gives my skin a nice glow, so sometimes if I go without foundation for the day, I'll put this on and be ready to go.

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

I've also been testing out a sample of the iT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Lotion face moisturizer, but haven't formed an opinion on it yet, other than it goes great under the foundation!

I just recently purchased a brand new product from iT Cosmetics, the Confidence In A Foundation. I had never used any iT Cosmetics products before, but I know the brand is known and trusted for being not only good for your skin, but providing products that let your natural beauty shine through. I definitely feel that way about this foundation! It has the capability of being full-coverage, but for someone like me who doesn't need a full "mask", 1/2 pump of foundation is enough to provide a flawless base while still letting my real skin show. I apply with the iT Cosmetics foundation buffing brush.

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

I follow up my foundation with the Milani Silky Matte bronzer in the shade "Sun Light"; I love how matte and natural-looking this bronzer is, and the light shade is perfect for my skin tone. I also apply a Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in the shade "feisty", which has since been discontinued. In their current line, the shade "glisten" is very similar!

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

Next, I use the Maybelline Brow Precise gel, my holy-grail brow product. It's a fibrous gel that you apply with a spoolie-type applicator to the brows. It's perfect for those of you who don't need (or want) to fill in your brows with a powder or pencil, but instead just want to add definition to your natural brow hairs and shape.

Lastly I curl my lashes and apply mascara, lately I've been enjoying the Covergirl Exhibitionist mascara. It gets the job done and makes my lashes look great!

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

This is all I do for a normal day - staying home or going out - but occasionally I will do a little bit more to add definition to my eyes. I love the Tartlette In Bloom palette because the colors are pretty and neutral, and allow me to still look natural instead of going full glam (but you can do that too if you wanted to!)

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

Before makeup & skincare

My Daytime Skincare Routine & Easy Makeup

Hope you enjoyed a peek into my daily routine, should I do a nighttime skincare routine post? Sound off in the comments below!

DIY Pom-Pom Storage Basket

DIY pom pom storage basket

   Hey friends! Today I wanted to share a simple DIY for a cute pom-pom embellished storage basket. This style is all the rage right now, and personally I find it SO cute, especially for kids rooms or toy storage. With the right color palette, it can even add interesting texture and color to any home decor landscape. You don't need to be a craft connoisseur to be able to complete this project; if you have access to scissors, yarn, cardboard, and thread and needle, you can do this in a matter of minutes!

DIY Pom Pom Basket Pin

3in. x 5in. piece of cardboard (or a pom-pom tool)
Sewing Needle
Storage Basket

The first step is to make the pom-poms. I have a little wooden tool that came with a weaving loom I purchased a while ago, but you can also make your own using a small piece of cardboard. All you need is a rectangle piece of cardboard to start. Cut a smaller rectangular piece out of the middle, so the tool resembles a long, rectangular "C" shape, like how my tool is shaped in the photo below:

DIY Pom Pom Basket Supplies

Once you have your tool, begin wrapping the yarn around the width of the tool. The more you wrap, the puffier the pom-pom will be.

Make DIY Pom Pom

Once you have it wrapped, cut a separate piece of yarn and tie it around the center of the bundle.

DIY Pom Pom

Remove the yarn from the tool. You'll notice you have loops on both sides. Put your scissors through the loops and cut to separate them. Your cuts don't have to be perfect!

Finished Pom Pom

Fluff up the pom-pom with your hands, and use the scissors to cut any long pieces. That's all there is to it! Once you have the desired number of pom-poms made, the next step is to attach them to the basket.

I got my basket from the Target dollar spot, but you can find this type of cotton woven basket pretty much anywhere. This could also work with a jute material as well, just use a color of thread that will blend in with the color of the basket!

Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the string. Hold the pom-pom onto the basket where you wish to sew it on. Insert the needle through the front of the pom-pom, and pull it through the basket. Continue by threading the needle into the basket, and out through the pom-pom, etc. You only need a few stitches to secure the pom-pom onto the basket. The last time you thread the needle through to the inside of the basket, cut the string and tie the loose ends to secure the thread. Repeat this process with each pom-pom you wish to attach.

Sew Pom Poms On To Basket

DIY Pom Pom Basket Babys Room

DIY Pom Pom Basket Babys Room

Now you have your very own pom-pom embellished basket! I think I'm going to use this one for Ezra's easter basket. What will you use yours for?

7 Simple & Healthy Toddler Meal Ideas

kids meal breakfast

   Recently a few of you have been asking me to share the meals I give Ezra, as well as other "ideas" for toddler meals! The truth is, not TOO much thought goes into his meals because for a while now, he's been eating exactly what we're eating, although for breakfast and lunch, I will usually make him something separate from what I'm eating. If you've been following along for a while, you know Ezra tested positive for a whole-egg allergy at 9 months old, so we did need to modify some meals for him for a while. 9 months later, he's gotten over that allergy on his own, and can now fully eat whatever we're having at any given time.

With that being said, I want to share some of what we do for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and hopefully provide some helpful insight and ideas for you & your own toddler! I can do a separate post on feeding, snacks and how we got Ezra to be open to all kinds of food, but for now I just wanted to share a few meal ideas that can even be modified for picky eaters, as well as a few bonus tips on how to sneakily add fruits & veggies onto a picky eater's plate.

simple toddler meal ideas pinBREAKFAST:

Waffle with avocado & banana
Probably one of Ezra's most frequent breakfasts. You can do homemade waffles or store bought. Although avocado is technically a fruit, I try to include a fruit, and something green on his plate for every meal.

Scrambled egg with cheese and raspberries
A bit of chopped spinach mixed in with the eggs is an easy way to get veggies in. If your toddler gets wary at the sight of green, you could "rice" cauliflower and broccoli in a food processor and mix a little bit of that in as well, and it might be harder for them to notice.

Related Post // How To Engage Your Kids At The Grocery Store

Mac & cheese, peas, and a yogurt
What toddler doesn't love mac & cheese? Ezra eats this for lunch once a week (sometimes twice) and I always add peas for added protein. There are lots of kids yogurts out there that don't include added sugar and/or are naturally flavored - he loves the Happy Baby brand!

Turkey burger with avocado and quinoa
Trader Joe's sells frozen turkey burgers that don't include any artificial additives or added sugar - I LOVE giving these to Ezra, and they only take a few minutes to cook on the stove. Quinoa gets messy but it's good for him, so I approach it with grace haha.

This is probably what Ezra eats most days of the week - dinner leftovers. Anything from soup to chicken and roasted vegetables. To make them last a little longer, I'll add rice or quinoa and give him something else on the side like fruit or a cheese stick.

toddler eating breakfast

As I said earlier, Ezra usually eats whatever we eat. Here are two of the more basic meals that we eat that I think would be toddler-friendly even if it wasn't something we were ALL having.

Roasted Sausage & Veggies
Delicious and colorful!

Ezra hasn't quite mastered soup-eating but chili is chunky enough & packed full of vegetables and beans that I usually just strain it and give it to him that way.

Bonus Tips:

I'm not a nutritionist or feeding expert, BUT here are some tips based on what I've seen with our 18 month old!

#1 - If your toddler seems to be dissatisfied with something on their plate, pay attention to HOW they are reacting to that thing.

Is it the taste? Is it the texture? Sometimes Ezra will pick up a big piece of kale and quickly put it down again because I'm assuming he's overwhelmed by either the size, or the wet, flimsy texture of it. In that case, I will try cutting it up and he will usually go back to eating it like normal. Whether it's the taste or texture they don't like, try offering it a few different times and watch their reaction to see if it truly is a taste thing, or solely dependent on the preparation of the food itself.

Related Post // Realistic Trader Joe's Shopping List + 5-Day Meal Plan

#2 - Put some vegetables into a food processor & add to baked goods like muffins, pancakes, etc.

 I love doing this with the pulp from my juicer! I've added beets, carrots, orange and cucumber to Ezra's pancakes & muffins just from using pulp from my juicer. You can also make your own puree with a food processor or blender and add them that way.

#3 - Start introducing a variety of foods while they are still young.

I think part of the reason Ezra eats *almost* anything (there ARE some things he just doesn't like!) is that we don't feed him "kid food" by default. He LOVES chicken nuggets, mac & cheese and hot dogs, but those things aren't the norm in our house, so they're not the norm for him. Of course everything can be enjoyed in moderation! But by introducing a variety early on, you can teach your kids what the "norm" is in your household when it comes to food.

Were these tips helpful to you? Let me know in the comments below!

My 5 Step Week-By-Week Meal Planning Strategy

weekly list mean planning

     I have to admit the title of this post is a little bit clickbait-ish, because truthfully I don't really know what meal planning the "hard way" would look like. I get quite a few questions about meal planning, and occasionally I will see one of my friends asking their Instagram friends & family how to meal plan, because the concept just confuses and overwhelms them.

 I started meal-planning when Jack and I got married, and have been doing it ever since, but it DID take a while to get into the natural rhythm of doing it every week. There are quite a few other resources for meal planning out there, but I wanted to just share my basic process, hopefully to help someone who is sick of over-spending at the store multiple days a week, eating out all the time, and/or just looking for a starting point to meal planning! I think you'll find that it's a lot more simple than you may think.

how to meal plan

#1 - Define Your Budget

    This is the first and most important step in getting into a regular habit of meal-planning, simply because this will define your menu & grocery list moving forward. And the easy part: you only need to figure this out once (unless of course in the future your budget changes). Once you figure out how much you want to spend per week, you can move forward with your menu.

#2 - Determine Where To Shop To Get The Best Deals AND What You Need

    This is probably the part that takes the most time, and for me, this step came with a lot of trial and error. If I go to one grocery store, sometimes the prices are jacked up so much that I can walk out with 5 things, having spent $60. Other places, I can spend $60 on most (if not all) of my shopping list. It all depends on what stores are in your area, and what kind of deals AND products they offer.

Trader Joe's is my store of choice for a number of reasons: they are consistent in quality, their prices are reasonable for what they're offering, and I can buy everything I need in one location. However, since many of their products are store brand, they do not offer store coupons (they DO however accept manufacturer coupons!). Stores like Sprouts, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion offer weekly deals, store coupons AND accept manufacturer coupons, and also most likely have a deli counter and hot foods, which Trader Joe's does not offer at this time (at least that I know of!) SO, with all of that being said, find what works best for you & your budget.

#3 - Put Your Week In Writing

    This is the easiest part of the whole thing. You don't need a checklist, a printed-out calendar, a shopping list with 156 tiny checkboxes, all you need is a notebook and a pen. This is exactly what I do:
how to meal plan

   If I'm going shopping on a Saturday, I begin with Saturday, because that night's meal is going to be dependent on the groceries I get on that shopping trip. Got a soccer game on Tuesday and have to eat out? Put it on your plan. Got a work meeting that will run a little later than usual? Put it on your plan. Anything that's going to either interfere with or determine your dinner plans for that night, write it down.

how to meal plan

#4 - Decide What You Want To Eat

   This is the part where a lot of people get hung up...because what if you change your mind? What if you don't WANT to eat THAT specific thing on THAT specific day? What if something unexpected happens and you have to eat out? All of those things are totally fine, which is why we're writing this on a piece of paper and not etching it into concrete, ha. You are allowed to switch these meals around, or make one meal on a different day if that works better for you. There's no right or wrong way to do this step, all you need to know is what you & your family like to eat.

   If it's easiest for you, start on the days where you KNOW your regular dinner time will be compromised. If you're going to be getting home later than usual, plan a crockpot meal for that day that can be cooking all day while you're at work. If you have a short amount of time for dinner before rushing out of the house again, maybe choose a meal that is simple with a quick cooking time (like chicken fajitas or personal pizzas).

     Once you have those special days taken care of, the rest is a breeze. What does your family like to eat? Is there a day of the week that will give you enough time to try a new or more involved recipe? For example, I LOVE making a whole roasted chicken on Sundays. It takes a few hours to cook in the oven, which is why it's perfect for a slow Sunday afternoon; I've got plenty of time to prepare it and let it cook. You don't have to plan lavish meals or a 4 course dinner for every weeknight. Just figure out what your family likes to eat and write that down - see my example list below!

how to meal plan

#5 - Make Your Shopping List

     If you're new to meal planning you might be wondering why this is the last step, but this step is actually KEY in making sure you follow through with step 1, and stay within your budget. If you make your shopping list before you meal plan (or not at all) you may find yourself spending WAY more than is necessary. The same is true when you wait until the last minute and make a hurried trip to the store after work to get ingredients for a meal.

Once your meal plan is completed, go down your list and write down every ingredient you will need for that specific meal. Don't forget to do a quick inventory to see what you already have - most likely you won't need to purchase EVERY single ingredient you need for every single meal.

I like to separate mine into three different sections - meat, vegetables, and everything else - but you can do more or less if you need. Don't forget to include things that you might need but that aren't necessarily part of your meal plan (like eggs, milk, bread, household cleaner, etc.) If you're a snacker, don't write down the snacks you need or want (unless you're entertaining guests that week, for example, and it's a necessity!) I always wait until I'm at the store and have everything else in my cart BEFORE picking up any snacks (this goes back to being sure I'm staying within budget!)

   It's possible to do this for the entire month, and it's also possible to prep food ahead of time (such as freezer meals), but neither of those things are valuable to me and my personal family life. You can absolutely use this method to plan your meals for the month, AND you can use this when determining what freezer meals to prep for the week ahead - this is just meant to be an easy, step-by-step guide to how I meal-plan weekly. Feel free to adapt this strategy according to what works best for you!

Husband-Approved Greek Chicken & Quinoa Salad

chicken and quinoa salad

    Today I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes I've been making for dinner recently! Sometimes I just get a major craving for salad, and although I don't think my husband could say the same, this has become a meal he gets excited about! Juicy, baked, seasoned chicken thighs (or breasts) are the perfect compliment to this hearty salad loaded with veggies and protein-filled quinoa. Topped with a simple oil and vinegar based dressing, this meal is delicious and satisfying even for people (like my husband) who don't usually choose a salad for their main course.

      As I've mentioned before on the blog and in my Instagram stories, Jack and I eat A LOT, and I mean a lot. And now with a growing little boy in our family, I find myself even making more food than I was previously. Not only that, I try to also make enough for Jack to take in his lunch the next day, so he can avoid buying something at work if possible. This recipe could feed as many as six individuals, OR 2-4 hungry people WITH some leftover.

greek chicken and quinoa salad pinterest

    I like using bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs because you can get a nice sear on the outside beforehand, leaving you with a crispy skin, sealing all of the flavor inside. You can also use skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs if that's more your style. With those you don't necessarily need to sear, you can just put those right into the oven. If you are going this route though, I would maybe marinate the chicken in the seasoning mixture with some olive oil beforehand, just so it has time to soak up all of that flavor and spice!

I seasoned the chicken with oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of turmeric, salt and pepper. My recommendation would be to add the salt afterward, and only a little at a time. The last time I made this, I added a bit too much salt, and that's pretty much the point of no return.

    After baking at 375 degrees for around 30 minutes, the chicken is finally complete - a technique I learned recently from one of my favorite food bloggers and Instagram foodie, Teri from No Crumbs Left - I like to baste the chicken in it's own juices. No flavor gets left behind!

baked chicken thighs

    While the chicken is baking, this is the perfect time to cook the quinoa and put together your salad. My building blocks for a perfect Greek-style salad are some fresh spring mix, Kalamata olives, chopped tomato and cucumber, artichoke hearts and big chunks of feta cheese. This salad is made complete with tri-color quinoa  (or any other kind) which makes it extra filling! I also usually add a bit of chopped red onion, but I didn't have any this time!

   To top it all off, I mixed some red wine vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano, grated garlic, salt and pepper into a mason jar with a lid, and gave it a good shake. This easy concoction was the perfect addition to this salad!

    This meal is so delicious and even my 18 month old son enjoyed the chicken and quinoa, with some veggies on the side (cooked separately for him, he's not big into salad). Even if you're not usually a "salad" person - or maybe your spouse isn't - this particular meal is filling, flavorful, and not just filled with lettuce that will leave you wanting more. Check out the recipe below, and don't forget to click the link to print for future use! Hope you enjoy!

feeds 6 or 2-4 with leftovers
prep time: 7 minutes | cook time: 30-35 minutes

chicken and quinoa salad

6 bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1-2 garlic cloves grated or minced
pinch of turmeric
salt & pepper to taste

1/2 dry cup of quinoa
1-2 bags of spring mix greens
1 14oz can of quartered artichoke hearts
pitted Kalamata olives
diced red onion
diced hothouse cucumber
cherry tomatoes, halved
feta cheese

This is my best approximation, I usually just sprinkle and pour until it "looks about right" hahaha.
3 TBSP red wine vinegar
1.5 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP oregano
1 pinch of salt (you can always add more later)
1/4 TSP black pepper
1 TSP garlic powder
1 TSP onion powder
Shake vigorously to combine! If you have leftover dressing, you can leave it in a sealed container on the counter for up to 3 days (if you refrigerate it, the oil will solidify).

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & set oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine chicken seasonings in a small bowl. Rinse chicken thighs & pat dry, then carefully sprinkle the seasoning mixture onto both sides of each thigh. Place onto the parchment paper.

3. Once chicken thighs are seasoned, put the tray into the oven for 25-30 minutes, OR until a thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted (without touching bone).

4. Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package instructions.

5. Assemble the salad dressing ingredients in your jar or other container with a lid. Shake vigorously to combine.

6. Add spring mix into a large serving bowl. Dice red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, artichoke hearts & add to the salad. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top. You can add the dressing now, or once it is served.

7. Once the quinoa is finished, you can allow it to cool before adding it to the salad, OR add immediately.

8. Once chicken is done in the oven, take it out and pick up the juices from the tray, using a basting brush. Brush the juices onto the chicken thighs, and let them rest for 5 minutes.

9. Serve & enjoy!

How to Engage Your Kids At The Grocery Store (+ Free Printables!)

basket of fruit and vegetables

    To some, grocery shopping is a mini-getaway. A leisurely walk through the store, sniffing the fresh bread, moseying through each aisle with a (hot) coffee in hand, reading labels, carefully weighing & bagging bulk granola (if this is you, God bless you). For others, it's a mad dash through sliding doors, one kid already tripping over untied shoes, while another is seen bumping into strangers on their way to the baked goods. A scribbled, barely legible grocery list is clenched in a tight fist as you make your way aisle through aisle, grabbing the first box of cereal, bag of vegetables, & frozen waffles you can get your hands on. Although my one-and-only child is young enough to hardly cause issue at the grocery store YET (except for the occasional scream-heard-round-the-world), I understand that for many moms, a trip to the store can look a lot like the latter.

REALISTIC Trader Joe's Shopping List & 5-Day Meal Plan

vegetable flat lay

Earlier today I was watching a YouTube video about a $120 grocery haul from Aldi. I was intrigued because although I don't typically spend that amount on groceries, I always like to watch grocery hauls to get more meal and snack ideas. Well, her video basically included a bunch of snacks and ingredients for literally ONE meal. I was discouraged because I thought, "seriously? $120 and ONE meal idea out of all that?" I get it, not everyone has time to cook dinner every single night, especially if you're a mom. Honestly my meal plans don't look perfectly planned out every single week. Sometimes "grab-and-go" is more your style, whether you have kids or not, and that is perfectly fine. I am always an advocate for finding what works best for you.

Designed by FlexyCreatives


Jessie J Advises Fans to Pursue Their Passions to Combat Depression

Jessie J Advises Fans to Pursue Their Passions to Combat Depression

Jessie J has had a rocky beginning of 2019 that has reportedly made her experience severe depression.

The “Price Tag” musician learned from her physician lately that she is struggling with infertility.

Jessie J had confirmed this unfortunate news during her show at the Royal Albert Hall in November.

Then, before the start of this year, his long-time bodyguard identified only with the first name, Dave, suddenly passed away in a tragic manner.

The 30-year-old singer has allegedly been wallowing in depression because she also counted her security guard as among her close friends.

Jessie J even mentioned on social media that she had considered Dave as “family” and that they shared unforgettable and meaningful moments together.

Another difficult situation that has made the songstress feel tremendously downcast is her management, MDDN, dropping her at the onset of the year.

The “Bang Bang” singer and songwriter is no longer working with Good Charlotte’s Benji and Joel Madden who was her managers at MDDN.

Finally, Jessie J’s personal assistant, who she also nurtured an intimate relationship with, had also left recently.

Considering these events in her life that consequently made her feel solitary and desolate, the perky performer found it comfortable, to be honest with her emotions on social media.

This week, Jessie J posted a live video on her Instagram account, tearfully playing the piano and singing some lines of an unnamed song.

Then, she captioned it with her perspective about depression and anxiety which is the global dilemma presently rising to a skyrocketing level worldwide.

Jessie J advised her fans to always be truthful about how they feel.

Instead of suffering quietly, she cited that being open about the instances when they feel crestfallen and crying is the best way to deal with mental health concerns like depression which has seriously and fatally caused massive loss of lives.

Jessie J shared that as a normal human being these days, she also has the unhappy episodes that make her break down and weep like the latest hapless events she is dealing with.

In these times, she said that people should instead cultivate their happiness from within themselves rather than depend on others as a source.

Jessie J pointed out that people are the only ones who could make themselves feel contented with their existence.

In addition, she recommended people to engage in activities that they are passionate about.

Among these pursuits are painting, singing, drawing, writing, walking, or merely being calm as effectual emotional outlets helping them combat their downbeat emotions.

Jessie J is currently braving the storms she is grappling with by being optimistic that she would become a mother eventually.

In addition, she is occupied with mentoring young aspiring performers as one of the resident coaches in “The Voice Kids UK.”


1 3 1 essay should include

of water. If you consider leadership one of your defining qualities, or have had an interesting experience as a leader in some capacity, you might want to consider this essay. What new technologies are there, and how do they collaborate with other fields. Overall, leadership is a terrific quality to showcase to the. Making Sense: A Real-World Rhetorical Reader. Here is the complete Personal Insight Question (UC essay Prompt 1) (Notice how its trying to get you to find a time and be specific, too.). 2 pages/550 words 2 Sources Chicago Literature Language Essay Describe Why Martin Luther King Is A Great Leader Description: MLA; History; Choose 4 sources from books or internet and analysis them one by one, why those sources can become evidence for this topic through logos.

Gap Year This is a sample ielts essay.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th.

Heres a Short Sample Outline for UC Essay Prompt 1, start by describing a time you how to write an essay on cultural diversity faced some type of problem in a group. 4 pages/1100 words 6 Sources APA Business Marketing. However, this does not mean you can discuss both sides impartially you must give a clear opinion to get a good score in the criterion of Task Response which is 25 of your marks. Discussion of film essays Archived at the Wayback Machine. Description: MLA; Literature Language; Body Paragraphs: topic sentences that connect to the thesis, one main argument per paragraph, clear evidence and explanations, logical paragraph order, transitions within and between paragraphs. Do you lead because you are confident, disciplined and have an air of authority? 3 pages/825 words 2 Sources MLA Literature Language Essay The Impact of Online Class on University Students Description: MLA; Literature Language; In the recent times, with the advent of the internet and World Wide Web, learning in the classrooms is no longer a monopoly. Archived from the original. Analyze this news story based on what you have learned about neuroscience in this class and based on other reliable sources. 3 pages/825 words 3 Sources APA Literature Language Essay Woman Hollering Creek by Sandra Cisneros Writing Assignment Description: MLA; Literature Language; The short story, Woman Hollering Creek, is one of many that are written by Sandra Cisneros. This would include the difficulties that I had to face, the milestones that I set, as well as the results of the hard work and dedication that I poured. One definition is a "prose composition with a focused subject of discussion" or a "long, systematic discourse".

1 3 1 essay should include
1 3 1 essay should include

Essay on importance of voting in india, Math phobia essay, Mera bachpan essay in hindi language, Analytic essay on lost souls,


One of my pet peeves is being misjudged.  You know–when someone thinks you did something for a horrible reason; or when they think you didn’t do something because your heart isn’t in the right place.  It’s happened to all of us.  So, what of those parents who carefully consider their parenting methods, are consistent in implementing them, and are ever-vigilant to care for their children’s growth and progression . . . But their methods are criticized?  It feels awful.  How do parents continue on their path in confidence?  Deanne’s answer follows:

We learned, by child number three (all biological children at this time), that what works for one child doesn’t necessarily work for another. Although we do have hard and fast rules for everyone, the methods to ensure each child meets their full potential must vary from child to child. We have high expectations of our children from a very young age. Our expectations are doable. We know they do not need to be limited by anything!  =Handicapped or not, adopted or biological, introvert or extrovert . . . it doesn’t matter. Each person has greatness, and it’s our job as parents to teach our children to see that greatness within them and to overcome obstacles on the road to their personal success. This means different discipline and different nurturing for each child.  This means that we’ve had to ignore what society deems is appropriate (including what friends and family think) and to follow what we know is best for each child.

The Walkers believe in inclusive, love-filled, and sometimes extreme discipline. That is–there is no banishing children to their rooms, no ignoring or withholding love, and certainly no hitting or hurting in any way. They use a form of natural consequence for bad behavior. For example, when a child’s negative behavior is harmful to another individual, they lose the privilege of initiating interaction with others for a time. The logic here is that if this same behavior were exhibited as an adult, it could result in prison . . . which would be much harsher than the discipline received at home.

The aim is to teach the children to be in control of themselves. If they don’t learn proper behavior when they’re young, they will have problems as adults that will not only make their own lives miserable, but will affect the lives of others–their spouses and children. So when this child loses the privilege of interacting with others, they are not sent away. Instead, they sit in a specified location (family is still all around) and may not initiate interaction. If another child wants to play legos with him, that child brings the legos and initiates the interaction.  When Mom wants to hug him, she enters his space and hugs. When it’s dinner time, food is brought to him and he eats while the family eats–in the same room, but in his spot.

Other extreme measures of discipline may include removal of any extras in this child’s life for a time.  Never eliminating the necessities of life (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs), there have been times when a child doesn’t respond appropriately to regular discipline, and so privileges and extravagances are taken away.

There have been times when non-family members have been in the Walker home, have seen this discipline in action, and have not only offered alternative suggestions but have also been highly critical of their methods.

This has happened in other environments as well. Teachers and others who are responsible for children outside of the home have sometimes sabotaged the Walker’s careful parenting. Certainly, their hearts are in the right place–they think they know the better way–but the result can be dramatically stunting.

Here’s an example:  The Walkers have a child with Down Syndrome. As mentioned earlier, these parents have high expectations for their children and refuse to let them think they are limited by their challenges. So, contrary to mainstream expectations, Deanne worked hard with their daughter and she was potty-trained by the age of 4. When this child started school, her loving teachers and helpers didn’t think it right that she be expected to take care of herself like those without her disability. So contrary to the mother’s request, they stepped in and started doing for her things that she had struggled with, but was succeeding in doing for herself. The result:  now years later, the potty training is undone and they have not been able to get her back to the level she was at before starting school. These people judged her harshly, undid her hard work, and are now out of her child’s life. It’s Deanne and the child who have to live with the consequences.

Deanne has been criticized over and over again for not allowing what would be normal 3-year-old behavior for her Downs Syndrome child. For example, sitting on an adult’s lap is perfectly fine for a 3-year-old, but it would be completely unacceptable for a 10-year-old to do the same. Deanne knows how long it takes for her daughter to learn (or to unlearn) something. If she allowed this behavior at 3, her daughter would be confused and hurt at age 10 to have to unlearn that. And so, these parents are ever-vigilant with each of their children in teaching, training, and disciplining for their individual needs. From Deanne: You need to know your child’s learning abilities. Then you need to know what they will need when they get older. When you understand that, you will realize that you cannot allow some behaviors here, or at this age, because it will affect the child later, or in a different place. Sometimes even special needs teachers don’t understand what is needed for your child. But everyone in this child’s life needs to stay on board with disciplining. I have been judged harshly, but I know what is best for my children and I stick with it.  I have to remember that it isn’t about me or how others see me.  It’s about what I know is right for each child.


This information is useful for adults and older adults
An older woman is checked for osteoporosis.
Why Yale Medicine?
  • We have leading experts in orthopaedics and musculoskeletal conditions.
  • Our doctors are involved in cutting-edge research for osteoporosis treatments.
  • Our doctors work across disciplines to treat patients in a comprehensive way.

When most people think of osteoporosis, they imagine this bone-loss condition only affects older women.

While post-menopause is one of the biggest risk factors for osteoporosis, anyone can have bone loss.

The human skeleton is comprised of bones that build up and break down many times throughout life. However, as we get older, our bones can’t repair or replace themselves as well as they used to. This can result in osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones and a higher-than-normal risk of fractures.

At Yale Medicine, we are committed to diagnosing and treating osteoporosis and early as possible to minimize further damage.


3 4 using the pythagorean relationship

Pythagorean Triangles and Triples

3 4 using the pythagorean relationship

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the unknown side of a right triangle. You can see this illustrated below in the same right triangle. Note that the. The picture below shows the formula for the Pythagorean theorem. In the pictures below, side When you use the Pythagorean theorem, just remember that the hypotenuse is always 'C' in the formula above. Look at the . Problem 3. Use the . Although Pythagoras is credited with the famous theorem, it is likely that the is called a Pythagorean triple. Some Pythagorean Triples: x y z 3 4 5 5 12

And we could take the positive square root of both sides. I guess, just if you look at it mathematically, it could be negative 5 as well. But we're dealing with distances, so we only care about the positive roots. So you take the principal root of both sides and you get 5 is equal to C. Or, the length of the longest side is equal to 5. Now, you can use the Pythagorean theorem, if we give you two of the sides, to figure out the third side no matter what the third side is.

So let's do another one right over here. Let's say that our triangle looks like this. And that is our right angle. Let's say this side over here has length 12, and let's say that this side over here has length 6. And we want to figure out this length right over there. Now, like I said, the first thing you want to do is identify the hypotenuse.

And that's going to be the side opposite the right angle. We have the right angle here. You go opposite the right angle. The longest side, the hypotenuse, is right there. So if we think about the Pythagorean theorem-- that A squared plus B squared is equal to C squared-- 12 you could view as C. This is the hypotenuse.

The C squared is the hypotenuse squared. So you could say 12 is equal to C. And then we could say that these sides, it doesn't matter whether you call one of them A or one of them B.

So let's just call this side right here. Let's say A is equal to 6. And then we say B-- this colored B-- is equal to question mark. And now we can apply the Pythagorean theorem. A squared, which is 6 squared, plus the unknown B squared is equal to the hypotenuse squared-- is equal to C squared. Is equal to 12 squared. And now we can solve for B. And notice the difference here.

Pythagorean theorem - Wikipedia

Now we're not solving for the hypotenuse. We're solving for one of the shorter sides. In the last example we solved for the hypotenuse. We solved for C. So that's why it's always important to recognize that A squared plus B squared plus C squared, C is the length of the hypotenuse.

So let's just solve for B here. So we get 6 squared is 36, plus B squared, is equal to 12 squared-- this 12 times is Now we can subtract 36 from both sides of this equation. On the left-hand side we're left with just a B squared is equal to-- now minus 36 is what?

And then you subtract 6, is So this is going to be So that's what B squared is, and now we want to take the principal root, or the positive root, of both sides. And you get B is equal to the square root, the principal root, of Now let's see if we can simplify this a little bit. The square root of And what we could do is we could take the prime factorization of and see how we can simplify this radical.

So is the same thing as 2 times 54, which is the same thing as 2 times 27, which is the same thing as 3 times 9. So we have the square root of is the same thing as the square root of 2 times 2 times-- well actually, I'm not done. So it's 2 times 2 times 3 times 3 times 3. And so, we have a couple of perfect squares in here. Let me rewrite it a little bit neater.

Pythagorean theorem

And this is all an exercise in simplifying radicals that you will bump into a lot while doing the Pythagorean theorem, so it doesn't hurt to do it right here. So this is the same thing as the square root of 2 times 2 times 3 times 3 times the square root of that last 3 right over there. And this is the same thing. And, you know, you wouldn't have to do all of this on paper. You could do it in your head. So this is the square root of 36 times the square root of 3. The principal root of 36 is 6.

3 4 using the pythagorean relationship

So this simplifies to 6 square roots of 3. So the length of B, you could write it as the square root ofor you could say it's equal to 6 times the square root of 3. This is 12, this is 6. And the square root of 3, well this is going to be a 1 point something something. So it's going to be a little bit larger than 6. The area of a triangle is half the area of any parallelogram on the same base and having the same altitude.

The area of a rectangle is equal to the product of two adjacent sides. The area of a square is equal to the product of two of its sides follows from 3. Next, each top square is related to a triangle congruent with another triangle related in turn to one of two rectangles making up the lower square.

Pythagorean Triples

The construction of squares requires the immediately preceding theorems in Euclid, and depends upon the parallel postulate. Similarly for B, A, and H.

Rescaling the Pythagorean Theorem – BetterExplained

The triangles are shown in two arrangements, the first of which leaves two squares a2 and b2 uncovered, the second of which leaves square c2 uncovered. A second proof by rearrangement is given by the middle animation.

3 4 using the pythagorean relationship

Combining the smaller square with these rectangles produces two squares of areas a2 and b2, which must have the same area as the initial large square. The upper two squares are divided as shown by the blue and green shading, into pieces that when rearranged can be made to fit in the lower square on the hypotenuse — or conversely the large square can be divided as shown into pieces that fill the other two.