My kids love science, and like many their age, they also love learning about space! When Apologia Educational Ministries sent us the Exploring Creation with Astronomy, 2nd Edition to use in our home school, I was so excited. The kids were equally jazzed to give it a try.


This curriculum operates a lot like what you would expect from traditional consumable-type programs. There are one-time use components for each child to work with. The textbook is reusable. This kit included:

• Student Text
• Notebooking Journal
• Jr. Notebooking Journal
• Audio CD

Learn more about Apologia Educational Ministries at their website, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! 

Melissa, a mom to three little ones (ages 7, 3 and 1) blogs at Mom's Plans where she writes about living a fulfilling life on less and focuses on cutting expenses, budgeting, paying down debt, saving money and once a month cooking.

It can be tough to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you're as busy as I am. If you've ever felt a bit awkward trying to find new ways to use spinach, you are not alone. I really limited myself to salads when I first started eating it. But now, I'm getting bolder in my recipe choices, and find that simple dishes with great flavors don't have to take much time at all. In fact, this 10-minute side dish is a family favorite! Check it out:


One of my favorite healthy sides that my family enjoys year-round is this quick-to-make wilted greens recipe, using fresh spinach!



To make this recipe, you'll only need a few simple ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, whole
• 1 small white onion, sliced into thin rings
• 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil
• Kosher salt to taste

Begin by heating your skillet or saute pan on medium high heat. Add the oil, then the garlic.


 Once the garlic starts to sizzle, toss in the onions.



Allow the onions to cook by constantly stirring. Don't let them get too brown!

When the onions have become slightly softened, toss in the spinach. Use a pair of tongs to toss the spinach around in the pan continually. Sprinkle with kosher salt.





The spinach will start to shrink and turn dark (or "wilt"). Before it gets too mushy, take it from the pan and serve immediately.  I like to serve it on the side of a nice chicken breast or pork tenderloin.



Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it?

What healthy ways can you think of to use superfoods like spinach?

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 T butter (melted)
• 2 T white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt

• 1/2 cottage cheese (small curd)
• 1/2 cup softened cream cheese (or 1/2 regular sized box)
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 t vanilla

First, rinse your whole blueberries and pick out any bruised or rotten ones.  (If you use them the same or next day, you shouldn't lose any.)  Dump 1-2 cups into a small saucepan and add 1/4 cup water and about 1/4 cup white sugar.



Cook over medium-high heat until the water turns blue and the berries soften.  (Don't cook too long, or you will have the insides of the berries coming out all over the place!) When you're content with how the berries have cooked, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water and stir it into the hot blueberry mixture.  Keep stirring until desired thickness.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Now, it's time to assemble those blintzes!  First, start with a crepe, and place it onto a serving plate.  Spoon a desired amount of warmed cheese filling into the middle.  (I microwaved the filling for 1 minute to get it warm but not hot!)  Tuck in the ends and roll the crepe over onto itself.  Roll again until the seam is on the bottom.


Now, drizzle with as much of that yummy homemade blueberry sauce as you wish!



You can find fresh blueberries at most any store right now.  I would recommend a few tips when shopping:

1. Buy the smallest container you can at a time for the recipe you're making.  If you have 5 kids, like me, and they love blueberries, you can never buy too large a container.  (We mix them into oatmeal, onto fresh salads, or as a side.)  Blueberries can spoil quickly, however, so if you won't need many, stick with the smallest container.

2.  Watch for opened containers.  Sometimes, people spill them when rummaging through to find the "perfect" package.  If in doubt as to whether all the berries are there, place the container on a scale.  You should come close to the advertised weight.

3.  Only rinse them as you eat them.  Avoid rinsing the entire package unless you will eat them right away.  Extra moisture can make them mold fast.



These are so yummy! They make a perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert. What's your favorite blintz topping?