Cook, Study, and Be Crafty

Just Joined a Locavore Challenge...

2011-08-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

My friend Jenny invited me to take a locavore challenge in which she is team captain. I had some time today and check it out. There a different levels that you can join in, to support, and become part of the local eating challenge. When you register you can choose from 3 levels, Bite Size, Feast Size, or Meal Size. I jumped right in with the meal size challenge. It means doing three challenges from three different areas, here's what the areas are and the challenges I chose:

Cook Grow Eat:

Can Or Preserve Summer Foods (done)
Shop at a local Farm stand (done and continue to do)
Compost kitchen Scraps (done)
Grown and Herb Garden (I have an indoor kit I really need to get going)

Join The Movement:

Like the NOFA-NY Facebook Page (done)
Blog about the experience (part done)
Read a Locavore Book (In Progress)
Attend a Locavore event

Take Action:

Join Millions against Monsanto (done)
Ask your representative to support local Farming
Volunteer at a local Farm or community Garden

So there you go. I didn't need anything else to do, but I have already completed some of these actions and intend to do them all before September 30, 2011. If you would like to join the movement you can register here.

Anyone else doing this challenge?

The fruits of Our Labor!

2011-07-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well aside from the ONE tomato we ate last week, Here is the start of the tomatoes. I had a few with my lunch. They were delicious! The plants look like a jungle and there is going to be more tomatoes than we know what to do with! Yeah for a healthy harvest!!!

How are your gardens doing?

Some things never change....

2011-07-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

That would be mostly the age on my scale, mainly because I don't know remember how to adjust it. It still says I am 39 years old. I only feel 25, however I am really turning 43 today.

I woke up to more birthday wishes in my email box, on Facebook and Ukulele Underground than I think I have received in my entire 43 years of my existence! Wow.. Well I can say this, I have been touched and molded by all the people that have come into my life. I know that many of you I haven't seen for years, some of you may see too much of me, and some I only someday hope to meet in person. To all of you. Thank you for being a part of my life!

This year has been full of more challenges than I care to share publicly. Today I woke up and put in my last pair of new contacts in my stash- hopeful to start this next year with clear eyes and a positive outlook! It's not what we have (or don't have like my lack of air conditioning on this hot day, anyone know a good repairman?) it's who we are, today I strive to be better... So I am going to nourish myself with good food (Thanks Denise for the box of Mangoes) and great people!

Be Great Today!!

Fantastic Weekend memories...

2011-07-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was privileged and blessed to meet a half sister that I only found out about a few years ago! Without going into detail (and honestly it's not that important) It felt so great from the get go, after so much time emailing and more recently talking on the phone it was amazing to meet face to face and have her and her boy friend at our house!

It was so nice to chat and catch up on what seems like a lifetime we missed, however, there were lots of stories, emotions and a definite connection as sisters! We shared lots of good food too! that's when I knew without a doubt we are related!

I took them to the farmers market (Say cheese) and We enjoyed the booths and came home with bags of fresh veggies, natural peanut butters, cheeses etc. Not to mention I found out that one of my favorite shops on Jay was closing, Carol good luck and we can not thank you enough for the incredible moment that you shared with us in your shop. We have been truly blessed by stopping by your shop! Wish you the best and thank you so much for talking to us, I have been touched deeply by you!

Anyone that knows me knows how much I love pickles. So we had to stop by and check out the pickle stand at the market. Delicious and definitely have to go back for more.. her's Alissa and Ariana posing happily at the pickle booth.
After the farmers market we went home, then for a walk around town, we showed Alissa the park near where we live and got out for some fresh air. Just the girls this time. We spent more time chatting and talking and walking. Fun and great memories for sure!

It was fun to get Alissa and Rob into the kitchen with me. We whipped up an absolutely fantastic meal together which was great fun and delicious! I learned some great cooking tips and ideas from Rob too. Love that!

Here's Rob entertaining the kids with magic card tricks. I am not sure if he had more fun (with a new audience) or if the kids enjoyed it more! Sure was fun!
The kids say that you can come back and play games and do magic tricks anytime!

Before they left this am. We took out Ariana's deck of Yoga Pretzels and had some fun doing some stretching and trying out some partner yoga moves! I enjoyed trying out some new moves and laughing a lot with everyone. As you can see from the next photo, we tried some more challenging moves too.

Fun stuff..

Here we are together. We are missing Zach as he is gone right now at camp. He is doing a Counselor in Training program for Boy Scouts and he did get to meet Alissa and Rob the first night, he was up and out early by the second morning.
Sure hope that there will be more fun weekend visits like this one!
Thanks so much Alissa for coming and making the step to have us as part of our lives. Sisters are a true blessing. Next time I hope Denise will be around, its the only thing that could make it more fun!

It was a great weekend I wont forget for a long time!

4 Hour Body update...

2011-06-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well I completed the 4 weeks that I committed to the 4 hour body. Truth be told, I wasn't going to do the extreme stuff ice packs and supplements etc.. that he talks about in his book. In all, more than anything I missed fresh fruit especially this time of the year and I am no longer willing to live without it and crave it all week.
So I am going to back to my whole foods diet. What I did learn is that I can do without as much cheese and dairy as I normally eat and that I don't need the carbs. I also discovered that I love beans even more than I think and they really don't give you gas, they have a bad reputation for it!

So what's up? Just going back to my whole foods diet! That's it! Yummy and the summer fruit is so amazing this time of year!

I just made three batches of Jam in the past few days with fresh picked strawberries and rhubarb! I love it. Going to give some of it away as gifts!

4 hour body self experiment...

2011-06-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well gang, I have been missing from my blog for a long time. Dealing with stuff with family, school, and life, busy as ever. I am writing so much for school some days the thought of writing anything else makes me want to scream. This I have to share and get your opinions for sure.

As some of you readers know starting from 2004 I lost a lot of weight, about 120 lbs. Since our big move to NY the weight has started to creep up.. Frustrating especially when you know what to do! I am after all working on a master's degree in nutrition. Well I read a few blog posts on the 4 Hour Body by Tim Ferriss and decided to give it a whirl and see what all the excitement was about. I am still most hesitant about fad diets and all the hype that goes along with them however I just had to try this one out for myself!
The rules are pretty simple.

1. No dairy
2. No grains- What no pasta, no brown rice, no nothing.
3. No Fruit- bigger shocker how in the world would I survive a day without fruit. I am a total fruit a holic!!!
4. No soy products! I am vegetarian where will I get my protein from!
5. Eat at least 20 grams of protein each meal, including 1/2 of beans a legumes each meal.
6. take one day off each week (preferably after 5 days) I pick Saturday.

Seems pretty simple right? Well day one starts. I am so lucky because my husband and my workout partner decides to jump on the bandwagon with me. Then what happens, I head out for my run with my friend and take a pretty awful fall, injuring my hand and knee (doing better but still recovering) So day one gets postponed until Monday.

When Monday am hits sore and barely walking, I get up and decide eggs is going to be the breakfast of the 4 hour body (4HB) So here it is scrambled eggs with BEANS, on a bed of spinach topped with a little salsa. GAG! really I was gagging. The first week of breakfast I missed my banana Oat cakes and or green smoothies. Lunch and dinner more beans, salad greens and veggies. I am VERY full, but missed my pasta and fruit boy did I miss my fruit.

The first week was REALLY hard! Today is the last day of week two! It is getting easier to stick to plan. The foods are repetitive and taste great. The best part is that I am eating whole foods. The worst part, I miss fruit. The reason why I tried this is pretty simple. An experiment of sorts, with the book, checking out the hype, wanting to kick start some weight loss but mostly something I have been learning in school too many carbs (even the healthy whole grain ones) in the diet lead to insulin imbalance, which leads to weight gain, regardless of calories intake. Too much sugar (yes even fruit sugars) lead to weight gain.

So all week I was looking forward to binge day (yesterday was my second). I went shopping on Friday and bought watermelon and strawberries. Not exactly what you would call a binge food but it is truly what I wanted. I couldn't wait to eat my oatcake. I had no bananas so I ran out early in the am to get them. It was heavenly. In the afternoon I made a carrot cake with my daughter, I wanted to make pizza for dinner but ran out of time since we were going out to the drive in movies. I ate a sandwich instead. I hadn't had bread in weeks. Lunch was some leftover pasta that I had made for the kids, I missed this recipe. Guess what? I didn't taste all that good! HUH? My favorite pasta didn't taste good! How could that happen it's all cheesy and everything! Weird, I must be changing. Something inside has shifted!

Funny thing, when I woke up this morning, I felt like crap. I stayed up too late, ate junk (in my standards, although it is healthy eating for most Americans, sad but true). Could it be true I woke up this am, READY and WANTING to eat beans and eggs for breakfast! Then I checked my email. My friend on the plan with me wrote that she had the 4 hour hangover! I laughed hysterically when I saw the title of her email! It's so true. That is exactly how I feel. I imagine that on some level my body chemistry is changing. Binge week will be very different next week! Or will it?

I have committed to myself (and my friend) 4 weeks on this program. Where it is fadish and I am sure in the long run I am not going to eat exactly like this forever, I feel a true change and that is the important part of it all. There is a long lasting positive result. Health! I look forward to what the next two weeks bring and then I am going to alter the plan. I have swayed a little bit from the plan and added small amounts of organic tofu to my diet and a serving or two of quinoa (a high protein whole grain) otherwise pretty much following to the letter. The good news is, it is working. I am down about 5lbs and my husband is down somewhere around 7-8 lbs.

I am already looking into modifying this plan for life long changes. Adding small amounts of grain, less eggs and a little fruit. My goal yes to lose weight, but to get myself off of so much pasta (even whole grain which is what I eat) and eating more raw, and whole foods. Which I see when I do I feel better. There are quick results. That I can tell you I notice more when I indulge in a binge day.

About a month before starting 4 hour body - the experiment, I started something new with my kids, being that they complain all the time that I never have 'treats' in the house. We started making a true dessert once a week. With a few rules, They have to help and it has to be made from scratch. If they don't help we don't make it. I feel better giving them home made treats than buying pre packaged crap. Once a week is OK to me.. yesterday was carrot cake... it was good.

I hope to keep you up to date on this experiment and how it is going anyone else try 4 hour body, what are you thoughts on it?

Something Crafty(knitted) and Just for fun!!

2011-02-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

Just for fun and a break from schoolwork and such, I knitted up this cute little hedgehog. I won a kit to knit it years ago in WA state when my favorite yarn shop Sweet Stitch went out of business. I miss that shop and don't even live anywhere near it anymore. So I pulled out this kit and knitted away, I actually changed the color to a more purplish color from a hot pink that was in the kit. Above this is a photo of him all knitted and ready for felting. I did my felting in the dryer! I loved it so much better than felting in the washing machine. I stuffed him with some plastic so the front and back didn't felt together, it was faster and less messy. I got a bowl will hot water and a small amount of laundry soap and soaked him, zipped him in a pillow case and put him in the dryer. I checked it about every 10 minutes, half way I soaked him again and put him back in the dryer! I loved this process! If haven't felted this way, I recommend it!

Here he is all finished and sewn up. I think he is just adorable!! Too cute. I ordered some safety eyes from etsy for him.

Just another angle, He's fluffy and puffy. He needs a name! Any ideas???

Winter Food Doldrums!

2011-02-03T10:46:00.000-08:00

I seem to be in a real 'pickle' lately. I want fresh tasty produce, alas there really isn't much of that here in NY right now. Unless miles and piles of snow is considered produce. Well it was produced by something right?

Not really what I had in mind. I feel stagnant at best with my eating, I am grateful for my frozen blueberries as they go in my smoothies as often as I can stand the cold! I find I am eating the same things over and over again, lots of pasta (whole grain) but still probably way more than I know I should be eating, because it's quick and easy and tastes so good in so many ways.

I have been so busy with my family and schoolwork that I have neglected the search I used to do for delicious new meals. My youngest son has become SO incredibly picky, I find myself saying nah, it's just not worth the upset at the dinner table. So here I find myself in a slump... Which would be why you haven't seen to many posts lately, this has been dragging on for awhile now.

I find myself already dreaming of spring, and seed packets and making another go at the vegetable garden. Perhaps I will become re-energized for cooking and preparing foods. I so need it for my mental clarity!

Until the spring hits, I guess I will have to strap on the snowshoes and head out for the crisp (cold) fresh air in hopes for some good meal inspiration!

How about you all what do you do when you get into food slumps?

So what's on my Agenda now?

2011-01-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a long year, this 2010 and I am glad that it is over!! I can't say that 2011 has started off very exciting, but I wiped the slate clean and figure I am just starting over.
I always have goals so I don't really like to say I made resolutions, but I guess I did!
Here they are:

First I registered for The Warrior Dash, I have spent the last few years exercising, will little goals except to not gain any of the weight back that I had lost. Well I can't say that it was a very successful goal. So I decided that I need to TRAIN and not just exercise. So I have designed an exercise program for myself to increase cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength and increase my all around fitness level. More weight training, and added interval training with plyo thrown in. So far, I am enjoying it and shedding a few pounds to boot.

Next, I am learning to play ukulele. I am having fun with it. I have never played and instrument, so this year I want to get competent at it and just have a good time. I am going to start a 10 week course in February. Yeah!

Another goal I have is to knit myself a sweater. I have made a few baby sweaters and lots of cool stuff that doesn't need to necessarily 'fit' so this year I am going to knit myself a sweater. I believe it is going to be this one. I am really looking forward to getting this started soon.

I continue my schooling, and I am making progress. Slow and steady for sure. I have 5 more classes left before I start writing my thesis! I am nervous and excited because I want to do it, but really NEED to get my topic situated so in all my reading and work, I can start to put together research materials. This may be the most grueling part of my year! It's hard to believe that I have made it as far as I have!

I am also working on some fitness certifications. This is going VERY slow. As you can see, I keep very busy. I am making progress and moving forward though. YEAH!

I continue to do volunteer work for the Navy and the school PTA. I enjoy it however it keeps me busy for sure! The family is good, the kids are always busy which means that Mom's taxi is always running out of gas! ( pun intended) I can't complain, I manage to make time for everything! I still cook and do crafty things when I can as well.

Sure hope that all of you are starting out this new year with some great, have you given up on new years resolutions already? I hope not, and if so just make some new ones and keep moving!

Exercise DVD Review!!

2011-01-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

Another great DVD to add to your collection! Jillian brings it on with her usual vengeance. Jillian uses a series of good old fashioned exercises (burpees, squat thrusts, planks) to raise your heart rate along with strengthening your core, you also get down on the ground for some good old fashioned abdominal work as well. Don't expect to just do a crunch or two, Jillian gets your whole body involved! I have done level one 2 times now and definitely got some great calorie burn out of the 35 minutes!

I love this video for its pure exercise experience, it is not difficult to do the maneuvers, but don't get me wrong, most will be challenged by this workout! Jillian explains each exercise well and goes slow enough the first round that most anyone can understand how to do these moves. She has two gals with her, one doing a more modified move and one doing the more advanced, she gets close up and personal with each, to show the importance of great form and modification.

I picked this video up for $6.99 at BJ's club and I have to say, it could possibly be the BEST 7 bucks I have ever spent on a video. Definitely the best bang for the buck or save yourself the trip and order it here.

Ariana-concert Mistress!!

2010-12-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Here is one song Ariana and the kids in her Orchestra did. These are 5th graders and they did a fabulous job tonight. I am one proud mama!!!

Reflecting on my Life with Grandma Pauline

2010-12-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been on here in a long time, but this is something I feel very strongly I need to write and share. My grandma Pauline passed away this afternoon, She was hospitalized on Thanksgiving and passed this afternoon.

I can remember as a little girl, living on Long Island, mom taking us to the train station on Friday as Grandma would arrive. It surely meant we were going to have a great weekend... I loved the excitement of the big black train coming into the station, my heart beating and knowing grandma was going to get off. Searching through the people until I saw her! One thing was always inevitable Grandma had peanut brittle in her purse and I was going to get some!

When Grandma was visiting Saturday am was certain to be met with silver Mexican jewels that she brought back from one of her trips. By the time I was 6 I knew the names of most of the gems and always loved seeing photos of her trip. She traveled a lot, with her sister Esther.

When we were old enough my sister and I would go to visit her in Brooklyn. She took us to see the rockettes, and museums. I loved the subway, but had a hard time sleeping with all the noise! I loved riding her elevator and I always remember dreaming about the "diamond door knobs" in her apartment. I have a house full of them now and I always think of being a little girl in that Brooklyn apartment. It is very comforting in a way!

When grandma retired from her job as a bookkeeper, she moved down to Boca Raton. She lived in a retirement community and it was always fun to go visit. There were pools, and workout rooms, hot tubs and lots of other teenagers. We played shuffleboard and I rolled my eyes as she dragged me to senior water aerobics. Little did I know how young I would be when I found water aerobic 'fun'! ha... She was unique but busy in her own life...

Then when she wasn't able to take care of herself, we moved her into an assisted living facility. Cleaning out her condo was interesting for sure. We found the pink melamine plates we begged her to leave in Brooklyn and many other odd things tucked in the ceiling tiles of her kitchen. I got yelled at by some old guy with argyle socks for filling up the trash can! We found love letters from her ex, as a kid we called him Grandpa Pizza Pie! He made cakes with more layers than onions, and were chocolate. Oh he loved her, I don't know what happened between them, but everyone should have someone love them the way this man loved Grandma!

As I was older, I didn't get to see her very much. We talked on the phone until her hearing got to bad. She was always happy to hear from me, and I made sure to send her photos of the kids. Grandma had 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. I can say that she was a fabulous grandmother that has given me so much. She spent quality time with me as a kid and as she leaves this Earth leaves me for one with joy for having had her as my grandmother. Although I am sad to say goodbye, I am happy and relieved that she left with little pain and suffering and her dignity in tact as much as one can at 95 years!

Grandma thank you for being part of my life... you will always be remembered!

PS- I will add some photos in the next few days as I have time to scan some in!

Our Little Opossum Rescue!

2010-08-24T07:34:00.001-07:00

There never seems to be a dull moment at our house! On this particular day (A week ago Sunday) We had a little extra excitement! My husband headed out early that morning to continue working on digging post holes for the new fence we are putting up in the yard. Well hubby came running in because something was splashing around in the hole he had dug the day before! He thought is was rats, but with only the light of a headlamp(thank you boy scouts) I was quickly able to identify the little creatures as opossums! Yikes, how the heck were we going to get these little creatures out of a 4 foot hole?

They were pretty scared, and not very responsive, it was cold, and they were drenched with water from the garden hose, as it was the only way my husband could get the dirt out that deep down it was too sandy otherwise. Anyhow, after a few failed attempts, we were finally able to scoop them out with a hoe. Poor little things, yes I know what their parents are capable of, however, we still had to save them! Here there are cuddled up to each other, after we started to dry them off. I was on quick alert that momma wasn't looking for her babies, as I later learned opossums make terrible mothers! They were so tiny and helpless, what do you do next? Well I ran inside to the computer and got on google. I found a NY state licensed animal rescuer in our area and called right away. I am sure that she was thrilled when I woke her from bed at 10am on Sunday, but alas, she did pick up the phone as soon as she heard me say baby opossums! She was at our house within 40 minutes and all the excitement was over! We had to get back to fence building, runs, laundry and cooking! It was a great distraction. I was relieved to know that the little critters would be taken care of and released into the wild on the rescuers property of 100 acres.

Small but Mighty!! Love my Fellow Navy Spouses!!!

2010-08-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you know that I attempt to be a runner, not a fast one but a runner none the less. What you may not know is that I am a Navy Spouse, my blog isn't really about that, so I don't talk about it much. It has been quite a ride (maybe better if I learned how to swim years and years ago, I digress). I was excited and pleased last night at a meeting of the Navy Family Readiness group when one of my fellow spouses brought up forming a team for the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure~ I signed up as soon as I got home!

I am excited to be part of this, it's the first time I have fun for a cause, and in my heart I know and believe that this is a good one! I am blessed to be part of a team of amazing people some who will be running or walking their first 5k or 2 mile (family walk). I have motivated myself, and I hope to motivate others not only to improve the lives of others, but their own.

Here's how you can help!

Join our team, run as an individual, or form your own team(traitor): HERE

Donate any amount you can: HERE

(If you can not donate how about tweeting, share on fb, or on your blog, the link to my blog post, I thank you and the tata's thank you!!)

Or how about volunteering: Go HERE

Anyone want to be our team photographer? Please let me know!

So here are my goals:

To inspire my fellow runners to achieve their best and feel good about the race!

To raise a million dollars (a girl can dream right)

To feel good about my efforts to help the cause

To improve my 5K time

To Lose 10lbs before the race!

Wish me luck and support me and my fellow runner's for our cause!! I can say now that I have never been more proud to be part of the Navy spouse community!! I am blessed! Now get out there and train!!!

How To Be Alone

2010-08-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

I just loved this video, it really touched me. It was shared on my school message board by one of the instructors. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! Have a great day and strive to be the best you can!

Deepening My Educational and Personal Journey

2010-08-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when this box showed up at my door! It wasn't like I didn't know it was coming; however, the overwhelming reality is I had no idea what I signed myself up for! This pile of books, CD's and DVDs is the American Fitness Professionals and Associates(APFA) Master Trainer Certification course! I have looked at their programs for a long time, as long as I looked at the ACE certification, well circumstances presented itself (thank you MyCaa) and I am now enrolled. I feel like I just went from Kindergarten to Grad school in one fail swoop!

The program encompasses a second(for me) personal trainer certification, a nutrition and wellness certification, a sports conditioning certification and one I am very excited for children's fitness specialist certification! After attaining these (how sad is it that I am going to have to enlist my elementary children's help to make power point presentations) I will do a series of practicals to get the master training certification! Wow.. lots of work ahead.

I have to remember to balance myself as I am still working on my Master's degree and that I am getting closer and closer to thesis writing time as the days pass! I still have no topic which I hope to render in the next few weeks as I have conferences scheduled with my professor. I also have a husband and 3 children, too many commitments to count and the UN-ability to say NO, which I am getting better at!

Also, some of you know that I have been trying to get paperwork (ie a name for a business) together along with the rest of the papers necessary... well I have decided that when the kids go back to school in a few weeks, I will get my insurance and begin training clients business name or not! Please contact me privately if you are interested! I am only planning to take on a few clients at first to gradually work into more work hours, and insure that my clients get the best possible trianing. I can not express how excited I am to help others embark on this path to a better and more healthy life! Are you next?

This poor neglected blog!

2010-08-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

I will not say that I have neglected my blog on purpose. I miss it so! However, my brain has been reeling around so many things! First of all my kids have been out of school, and not that it is an excuse, but we have been busy! I spent much of July hanging out with them, or immersed in my studies! I also spent a few weeks busy making things for cub scout day camp, and a week 'working' on staff. I use the term work lightly as it is not a paid job, but a volunteer position. One in which I enjoyed beyond measure!

This group of kids was amazing! I worked in the Nature area, which in itself is funny because I had to learn, to teach the kids! Flying by the seat of my pants became my middle name that week but these kids and their curiosity and spirit won over my heart! I will be back for more next year! Trust me when I say, I learned WAY more about many things than I taught, either way we all came out with a smile on our faces! The cardboard horses were a huge hit... maintenance was fairly easy and Nikolas' horse "Deady" is hanging tough on the front porch! Too see the Entire collection of camp photos click here. On top of a joyful cub scout rodeo, we celebrated 100 years of boy scouting! I am so pleased that my family gets to benefit from scouting... It's a great thing. (and yes popcorn sales is coming, on their defense I have to say their popping corn is the best I have used) And I have been busy learning how to can, it's been GREAT. I SO enjoy it! Here is a few batches of blueberry and strawberry rhubarb jam I made. I have mad several since. I am SO happy to give my kids wholesome choices that do not have artificial chemicals added. They love it and so do I. Here is a batch in process! I can say that it's been great and fulfilling to learn, do and experience so many wonderful things in life! I suppose it is a great thing to be so busy and happy doing it!

I am happy to say that I am progressing well at school, I have 6 more classes left before writing my thesis (of which I have no topic) and I am cruising right along with my current class (with a push from MyCaa) either way the goal is to be writing my thesis this time next year, better get on the topic huh? Could I really be graduating by winter 2011? yowza! What's a girl to do?

Well no worries, I have big plans coming so keep tuned in for more information. I have been making plans and will spill that soon!

For now, I am getting ready to head out for run! I need it, Last week there wasn't much exercise aside from hauling myself around Camp Boyhaven! So I have a lot to make up for!

Things are looking up in many areas... Stay posted!!!

Oh June, Where did you go?

2010-07-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's amazing, I caught 'The Teenager' on film(not exactly on film) but digital sounds ridiculous! He actually smiled too! There was the field trip to Howe Caverns (Brian went with Nikolas) There was field day... and more field day... What's with these big kids on these little hoppity hops?

The ever important crossing over to Weblos I! This is a big moment for Niko.

There was girls U-10 soccer.. and mixed U-8 soccer Sweat and more sweat. And of course more field days for Ariana. A trip to the state capital building and NY state museum. A chat session with Senator Farley, with some very interesting questions asked by 4Th graders! I loved it! They really challenged him!

And the celebratory birthday yell when on little girl opened her big "I am 10 now" gift! Lots of new scooter riding from one little girl that loved the gift from her Florida Grandma!

It's been a mammoth of a month.....

Comet has the right idea, don't you think so?

Getting Crafty!! and it's about time!!

2010-05-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, I have seemed to 'misplaced' my nutrition book. (under a pile of yarn, laundry, or I am just not looking very hard for it, it just happened to show up as I was waiting for photos to upload) Too bad, I get to finish my post now!

I has been too long since I have posted anything much that is crafted. Not for lack of wanting to. I just haven't finished many projects until now... YEAH! and best of all I have MORE in the works!

This is a close up of the needle felting I did for my neices slippers... My first needle felting project These are a photo of the slippers. They were knitted and felted. They were a fun project to work on. The pattern was from a kit from knitpicks. This is my second needle felting project. Did it like a paper piecing project but with felt and then needle felted the penguins on the slippers. I love how the penguin turned out. Thanks to Brian for helping cut out the tiny tiny pieces! Here's the completed slippers. I debated about putting laces in these guys and decided not to. I can if you girls decide you want them! Just let me know! Here is Sackboy. I have never seen the game. My youngest has played this game with his friend, and since his friend is moving away, it's his gift from us as a going away present.. Shh don't tell.. ha ha Nikolas already told him before I got the yarn! What a stinker! Here's Sackboy in pieces... my first knitted toy, so much fun to make. I will definitely be making more knitted toys in the near future! I already have plans for some more things! For now they are a secret! Not entirely crafty, unless fixing the hole in the wall and painting is crafty; however, I did sew up the curtain. One more bathroom to go and then we have to get painting outside and pretty much start painting the inside all over again. (sigh)

So any of you crafting anything fun out there? Please share!

Chi Running Clinic

2010-05-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of attending a chi running clinic this past weekend. I had read the book a few years ago, and have tried to follow the principles in the books as much as I can. I am excited to say that one clinic wasn't enough, however it was excellent! It was led by Ann Margaret McKillop of My fitness Recovery. I can't say enough good things about Ann Margaret or her clinic!

Chi running principles are focused on injury free running, utilizing good posture and the strength of your core to keep strength through your core. Keeping your core strong to be able to relax the rest of your body will help you remain injury free when running. I can see that this process can take years to master just as it would if you were to take Tai Chi or another martial art form.

First she walked us through some great postural exercises, some felt really weird as I suppose I really don't have perfect posture (sigh). I have to say, it is amazing how strong our bodies are when they are in alignment! That would be the chi part of it. Strength and alignment. The strength comes from the core. She explained so many things about posture and injuries and how they interrelate to each other. I am sorry to say that I can not remember all the things she said.

I do remember the practice of walking we did lifting our knees and letting our ankles relax! Yes, we need to relax our ankles when we run, who knew! Ann Margaret says this is how knee injuries are born! It amazed me the difference I feel already, even just walking focusing on relaxing those ankles! We sort of joked about feeling like zombies doing this exercise, however I can see with practice the difference it is going to make in my body and my running.

I will be reading the book again to be sure that I refresh my memory on posture, gait etc. She was unable to got into much more detail because it was a large group. I am excited to have new things to focus on with my running and that my running buddy was there with me so we can help each other out with the techniques we learned yesterday!

Thanks to Ann Margaret for a great class and to The Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club for sponsoring it!

Weight loss and the stress of it the scale

2010-05-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

So I saw this video in a newsletter and really wanted to share it with everyone. I know that the weight loss journey seems like a forever battle and the scale isn't always gracious no matter how hard we feel we are working at it! This video is a reminder that things within our bodies change rapidly. A whole pound this lady gained in a matter of minutes just by drinking water!

My point is, that we can't just measure the number on the scale because it is forever changing, if we are working out, we are sweating out water, if we are drinking or eating, go to the bathroom etc. Now I am not saying that you shouldn't ever pay attention; however, it should be a guide and not gospel!

When I lost the bulk of my weight, the measurements were very important. I think I had lost over 88 inches (That's over 7 feet!) in girth! I knew that I had lost fat! I didn't fit in ANY of my clothes I could move and for longer! Health was the key, I was and am healthy! So to those of you that get on the scale constantly, if it works for you, great, just don't base your day and how you feel about yourself on the number. I can get on my scale four times in a row and it could be .2 or .4 different each time. Take your measurements, and see how your clothes fit that is the real test! Even more real, how do you feel and what are you capable of doing now that you couldn't do before!

Live your journey today no matter what your size or shape, if there is something you want to do, do it! Don't wait until you are (________) just work towards the goal and get it done.

We are here for the journey and not just the destination! Always have a goal, away from the scale. If you want to walk, run, ride, create art, learn a new skill don't let yourself wait because of how you feel about yourself and your size.

The REAL change is on the inside! Accept yourself and love yourself not for a number on the scale but for the wonderful, creative person you are, this will ensure your success!!

Have a great day all!!

Why Can't You?

2010-05-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

So today I was in the grocery store, nothing new with my big hungry family! However, I have never had the cashier say, gee I am so jealous of the healthy organic foods you are buying! I didn't really think they ever noticed or cared, just rang up your stuff and hoped to get you out of there as quick as possible!

Well I thought it was interesting because she said working here and having 4 room-mates makes it impossible to eat healthy? She went on and on, well the truth is, there was a time 100 plus pounds ago I would have had a million excuses why I couldn't eat healthy too... No time, too busy, to expensive you name it, I could have give all the excuses in the world!

Despite the 100 people in line behind you, I asked her as I was walking away to let her help the next customer, Why can't you eat healthy foods?

And now I am asking you, Why can't you eat healthy foods? Really what's your excuse? Let's bust it right now! You deserve to have a healthy life and a fulfilling one too. It starts with nourishing yourself from the inside out.

So let's have it and bust those excuses!

Perspective...

2010-04-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

It was an interesting morning as I headed out for my Wednesday am run. Usually on this run I have my running buddy, but today I was heading out alone! It's always different alone. It was drizzly this morning so I was trying to talk myself out of going and just doing a DVD instead. However, I headed out the door anyway as I knew I would feel GREAT as soon as I got out there and especially after the run was over!

I cranked up some music (one headphone for safety reasons) and headed out the door! I was quickly reminded of why I love to run(note the sarcasm sign!) down certain streets on garbage day. I am not known for my ability to jump (Tony Horton would bust a gut if he saw me doing his plyoX workout, however I do it anyway because it's fun, challenging and good for me!) and off I go jumping and leaping over trash cans and lids. It didn't seem to matter if I ran street or sidewalk, the stuff is all over! I was blessed today to not trip and fall on this run! I don't know about anyone else, but my mind wanders when I run alone. I work to find my focus and just go, keeping myself at a fairly constant pace and heart rate.

So I have to admit, I was saying some choice words about and to the garbage collectors (in my head) about the obstacle course of trash cans all over... I forgot about it for awhile as I ran into an area away from the neighborhood that didn't have trash cans all over, then my mind wandered somewhere else for a bit. Then as I hit the turn in my loop where I head home, there is the garbage truck! I am heading up one of the larger hills and thinking to myself. GREAT not only do I have to jump over and around this stuff, but I will probably get hit with a flying trash can lid instead. Well much to my surprise, I start passing the truck (and they were stopped, weird) and there is two guys back there... GREAT now they are going to mock me instead! Here's where I got some new perspective. Two guys behind the truck, clapping and cheering me on... "Great pace, keep it up", "Good for you"! I was so floored I almost fell over! I'd been cursing them, and they totally blew me away, being nice!

I find it funny how the simple things make a difference in your day! Not only did I think about how much work it would be if all the trash cans, lids and recycle bins were all placed perfectly back in place (not that I don't think it would be nice) but I realized that they are people too trying to do their job to the best of their ability!

It takes all kinds of people to make this world go round... So what are you going to do to make today a better day for someone else, without expecting anything in return?

And on another note here's my new favorite smoothie 'recipe': Enjoy!

approximately 2 cups or large handfuls of Kale

scoop of chia seeds

1/2 cup of frozen mango chunks

1/2 cup of frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup of frozen blueberries

Blend in blender with adequate water to desired consistency. Yummy!!! This is my favorite breakfast before running.

Anyone have a favorite protein powder they like to use... I would love to try one, as it would be great to drink after hard workouts! Please share with me!

I hope everyone has a great day... I just opened the windows, as I realized that it is warmer outside then in and I was a bit chilly in here! Here comes the sun!! Off to do some homework now!!

Need your help and Ideas...

2010-03-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know I recently passed my American Council on Exercise Personal trainer certification exam. I am a certified personal trainer now! I need to get marketing materials together(IE I need a business name)so I can get started.

I know you guys are creative people, so here's what I need, I need your ideas on what to name my fitness business. Please keep in mind that I will be doing nutritional consulting/education as well in the future as I either get another certification and when I finish my master's degree. The plan is to train clients (mainly women since it would be in their homes, office gyms etc) and teach weight loss and nutrition education classes too. So now it's your turn... Help me out and brainstorm with me! Can't wait to hear your ideas? I had a few and was bummed out because they were already taken..sigh..

Yoga by any other Name... Meltdown (Oh Jillian)

2010-03-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I purchased this DVD. I really didn't have and expec- tations that this would be the slightly challenging and relaxing yoga experience of Sunday Morning (when I can get my arse out of bed, not lately.. sigh). Think about it, if you have ever done any of Jillian's workouts or have seen her train people on TV you know Jillian-no mercy, you will leave it all in the gym and Yoga meltdown is no different! I have to say, I did give it my all in every aspect.

This workout used a combination of sun salutations, lots of planks, repetition of movements of classic yoga poses followed by a period of holding the pose. The intervals raise heart rate while you are getting the benefits of dynamic and static stretches. If you are looking for a classic yoga workout this is not the workout for you. If you are looking for a yoga style workout that is low impact, will give you some calorie burn and some of the benefits of yoga and toning your body, give this one a try. I found this workout to be challenging (at level one) with lots of core strengthening work -which I need!

If you are a fan of Jillian and would like a softer (not soft mind you) Jillian without jumping jacks this is a great workout. I am looking forward to using the video a time or two a week in addition to my usual workouts and watching my strength grow. I also like that no equipment is needed with exception of a mat if you are working out on a hard surface.

Overall, I am looking forward to trying out level two, sweating a little more and seeing if I can find some abs in there somewhere! I am definitely going to try this DVD again!

The Vision Board- It's done!!!

2010-03-12T11:11:00.001-08:00

I have been working on the elements for this vision board for a few months now. It seems that for some reason there is always something getting in the way of the time to spend to even put it together. I am sure that many of you are wondering what the vision board is even for. Ever since 2004 when I started my weight loss journey, goals were very important so I wrote them down in a little notebook (still have it and still write in it sometimes) however, life is challenging and busy at times and it is easy to just not look in it. So the vision board is a way to have your goals, ambitions, and values out in a way that one can see those things that are most important everyday. It is believed that seeing your goals and visualizing yourself (the way you desire to be) helps things happen in your life.

I realize that just looking at this board is not going to make things happen. I still have to get out there and work at my goals! However, being conscious of these things at all times does make it easier when hard choices come to play, when fear sets in or some other obstacle comes into play.

I have found that I am more on track with where I want to be and I am seeing some success happen already since finishing this board. Of course since taking this photo last week. I have already removed a typo, and thought of some things I would like to add as well. I guess it will be forever changing!

what are your goals and how do you see yourself achieving the things that you want from life?

Happy Birthday Zach!

2010-02-21T11:37:00.001-08:00

Zachary is now 14~ It is SO hard to believe that I have a 14 year old! He had a great birthday weekend, went out to dinner his choice, and got to eat ice cream cake which we do not get very often.

Today in the midst of baking, we went through some scrapbook albums from when he was a baby and toddler. It was sort of fun because when he was about 18 months or so we went on a trip to Vancouver, since they are showing so much of Vancouver with the Olympics it was fun to show him that he had been there. They showed a park called Capillano (not sure if I spelled it right) but it has a very long rope suspension bridge. Not so exciting for those of us with height issues! Absolutely beautiful though.

The kids grow so fast, it is hard to believe where the time goes. It seems that some days life is so busy and fast that we forget to appreciate the good things in life.

I digress, however really wanted to say, Happy Birthday to Zachary! You are growing in to a fine young man! I love you! Mom

Fish N Nips.....

2010-02-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Plus a few other fun shapes. My kids and I made these great cheese crackers from here. I originally saw them on Erika's blog. Thanks for sharing the recipe. My daughter and I had a great time cutting out the shapes however I have to say that just making the squares was the easiest and quickest. I was hoping that between the sweet potato oat bars we made yesterday and these that they would have snacks all week! Ha.. they are almost gone.

In the spirit of clean eating, I have really been searching for snacks for the kids that they would enjoy and wouldn't be too hard to make. I would hope that I could make these each week at least in theory, and squares not fancy shapes. There is no sugar in this recipe and I altered the recipe and used whole wheat flour instead of white for more than half of the flour. I will try half whole wheat and half spelt flour next time and see how it turns out. I also used white cheddar instead of yellow to avoid the food dies. This means they don't look as pretty yellow as the photos on other other website. I will also try to alter them in other ways as well in the future. I will see how it goes!

All in all, it was a great success. Even my husband likes them, which means they wont last long!

Let me know if you try these. I don't think you will be disappointed at all!

Tosca You Are My Hero... Another Eat Clean Winner!

2010-02-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

I have jumped into baking some new stuff this weekend. I started with a Sweet Potato Oat Bar from Tosca Reno's new The Eat Clean Diet Recharged. I was so excited to win this book from The Fitness Freak's Blog, I have to make this recipe first. First order of the day was baking the sweet potatoes in the oven early in the am, I was so tempted to just eat them but I held off and made the recipe. This recipe has whole oats, fresh ground flax seeds, slivered almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, coconut oil (which I used instead of coconut butter, research said that it would work the same way) I had bought some goji berries and I forgot to use them too.

I have been searching for something to make my kids for a quick breakfast or a snack for school. I also want something that I can pack in my bag when I head out for the gym or another activity in which I might get hungry! It is packed full of nutrients, smells great and tastes to good. Zachary said it tasted good and he says he doesn't like sweet potatoes!! Thumbs up from Ariana! She liked it too!

So thanks again Tosca for such a delicious recipe, I haven't met one of her recipes that hasn't knocked my socks off! This one is no different!

For all you Tosca fans out there. What's your favorite Eat Clean recipe?

Fantastic Day and more!!

2010-02-10T14:59:00.003-08:00

I started off the day with a bang. When my running buddy wasn't able to run with me because she was home with a sick child and then as fast as it took for the kids to get from the door to the bus at the end of our driveway, the ground was covered with the fluffy white stuff. I opted to kick it by getting out my rebounder and doing the intermediate workout off of this DVD! I forgot how much fun it is to jump on the mini tramp and just how much oxygen it takes to continue to do it for 35 minutes. JB give a great workout, challenges you to push beyond what you think you can do!

I have also recently learned that rebounding is a great way to detoxify your liver! Yes, the bouncing helps activate your liver to clean house! Not to mention it also helps improve lymphatic and immune function and will improve you cardiovascular health, lower your resting blood pressure the benefits go on and on. Just think a few years ago, I bought the rebounder as a new way to exercise, the benefits are many! Here's the veggies that I cooked up for dinner. Tonight it was Ariana's choice and they were stir fried with a little grape seed oil, we had fresh onion, green and yellow, broccoli, corn, spinach, carrot, zucchini and then mixed with the quinoa and a small amount of nuefatchel cheese. Yummy clean eating meal. Quinoa has quickly become one of my most favorite whole grains. I have been working to venture out of so much pasta (completely given up white pasta long time ago) Quinoa is SO tasty with a bit of nutty crunch. I like to use it in recipes in place of coucous since it is a whole grain and much better for you. Quinoa has 222 calories for a 1 cup serving, 5 g of fiber, 8 g of protein, sodium is 1% based on daily value, 39 g of Carbohydrates with a glycemic load of 18. This grain with all essential amino acids packs a strong nutritional punch! So if you haven't given it a try yet pick yourself up some next time you go to the grocery store and see what you think! It also has a great fullness factor, which I also love!! Also stewing in my kitchen, is a few dinosaurs soaking in my kitchen! yikes! We aren't going to eat them so they will not be added with the quinoa; however, my two youngest are enjoying watching them grow in the bowl. So there we go! Dinosaurs brewing in the kitchen, I sure hope they don't get to much bigger! Then the mail came! Wahooo!! My book I won from The Fitness Freak's blog. At first thumb through, this book looks like the best Tosca book yet! I have most of them and love them. I can't wait to dive into the vegetarian recipes in this book and do more reading. The photos are phenomenal and they made me want to dive right in with my fork they are so delicious looking! Thank you so much Nicole for the chance to win this great blog candy and for sending me the book!! Yeah my Bondi Bands arrived too. I have heard so many things about these wonderful wicking headbands that when I found the coupon code for them I decided that I just had to order a few. I seem to have permanent ponytail when I am working out and then leads into when I am not working out because I take a shower and get busy studying and forget to do anything with it. These should give me another option. These headbands are supposed to be wicking, non-slip and come so highly recommended on the running boards that I just couldn't resist. I have had one on my head all day, without pain, without moving! yeah!

here's the code:

Buy 3 get one free- code: ONE

Five for $25- code: FIVE

Then most exciting an envelope from American council on Exercise. My official certificate of certification! I guess I should get my plan in gear, and work on getting insurance and paperwork so I can get started training some clients! I have been collecting up some gear such as medicine balls and kettlebells as well as elastic tubing, and bands. It's all coming together!

I have also been making some progress on my Masters degree. My current class is nutritional counseling. It will also help me in meeting new training clients as well. I am thinking of a few other certifications but for now, Hawthorn has my full attention!

I love having days like this one. Good food, well behaved children, great workouts and I did no laundry today! I am also all ready for my sons class party for valentines day a few days in advance!

A Girl and Her Shoes

2010-02-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

I know exactly what you all are thinking, where are the high-heeled toe crunching arch aching contraptions that many women collect. Well I have a few of those, but I don't have any desire to wear them more than needed. The shoes above are the shoes I live in. I chase around 3 kids half my time and the other half I am chasing my drive and desire for fitness and health. If you haven't walked, ran, cycled, or lifted in my shoes read on and maybe just maybe you will understand why, I feel it is so important for me to have these shoes and use them! I wont talk about all them and trust me when I say, they are not ALL lined up in the photo above. Meet my Specialized cycling shoes, if you have ever gone out on a ride with me, you will know, me, chatting and cycling don't always go well together. I haven't rode my bike outside much since moving to NY, mostly because I feel like the roads are so narrow and the drivers are so not cautious of any type of exerciser on the road. Well I love love love these shoes for spinning. They clip onto the bike petal and give a much more rounded leg workout. Clip shoes allow for both pushing downward and pulling upward making the petal stroke much more energy effective for both cycling in or outdoors. Ahh, the dance shoes, I wear these shoes for Zumba. Zumba is a fun, cardio dance aerobics. In this type of exercise there is a lot of twisting which hurt my knees when wearing other types of shoes. The bottom of this shoe allows for ease of twisting with the reduced risk of injury. Meet the mother of all running shoes! Mizuno Wave Nirvana, I dearly LOVE these shoes. I have had issues on and off with my knees and went to get professionally fitted for these shoes. I highly recommend going to a running store for a fitting if you have any intention of running on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I do not get to wear the cute little purple and pink girlie running shoes that we see all over the mall. Most importantly know what sort of arch and gait you have (which is why you should go to someone trained because most of us don't get to watch ourselves run or know what to look for). Anyhow, these shoes are the mother in stability and motion control. I love them and I love being able to run pain free! An old stand-bye for the gym, my nike air's. I can use most of the gym equipment very comfortably. These are great for weightlifting and general exercise at the fitness center. They are not my most favorite but a good stand-bye. These are my Ryka's they are great all around exercise shoes. They are incredibly comfortable to wear. These shoes are like walking on clouds. They are a great all around fitness shoe. I don't recommend running in them as I don't think they have the lateral support I need, but for any other exercise they are great!

What I am really saying here is that all fitness sneakers are not created equal. Be certain that you have the proper shoe for you sport, as having your ankle, knee, and hip misaligned could cause lots of problems. One could get a great workout with only a decent pair of shoes! I cannot ignore the importance of the right shoe for your foot! Our own body weight is a resistance for good exercise if needed. Whatever you do, make a good choice for yourself, eat your veggies and get out there and do some exercise!

Humor Me: The Ultimate in Multitasking!

2010-02-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

I just cannot get over this latest gadget on the market. These lovely utensils sport a 1.5 lb weight as a handle! As a newly certified personal trainer, I can not say that I will be recommending them anytime soon. However I just can stop thinking about these funny gadgets!

Can you really burn calories and build muscle by eating with weighted utensils? Stay back when I am doing my P90X because a girl working out while wielding a knife and fork could be a really dangerous thing! Can you imagine doing the bicep curls and scooping up a bite to eat every rep?

And worst of all, where's the spoon? It just might make it all worthwhile if there was a spoon, so I could burn a few extra calories while eating dessert!!!

Have a great day my friends, and please be careful if you choose to eat and exercise at the same time!!

Just My Luck!

2010-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

I am home today with a sick child. So I cancelled my run with my buddy, I was so looking forward to it after a long and busy weekend. Then, I stick in the DVD that came with my new medicine ball that I picked up, guess what? Something is wrong with it, so I call customer service they are sending a new one; however it just didn't help that I had to figure out what I was going to do instead of that workout.

In the process of getting set up to do some sort of exercise, the orthodontist's office calls, the request for approval for my son to have oral surgery is both denied first by our dental insurance and then by our medical. UGH! She is going to make some calls and see what she can find out.

OK what next? I get in my workout and then a shower, I bring my adorable and snotty nose 8 year old upstairs for a lesson on how to use the neti pot. Well that really didn't go over so well, but we got through it. Nice thing, I can't hear him breathing right now. It cleaned him out! Oh please let him feel better and go back to school tomorrow for we have no groceries in the house and I was supposed to go shopping today. I made the menu and list last night and it appears that I will be in the grocery store tonight after my husband comes home from class, and the kids come home from Odyssey of the Mind practice and Scouts. That would be about 9pm. Not so excited!

How much more can a girl take? Well one good thing, my new iPod is finally full of music. So I came downstairs and made lunch for the boy and myself. I sit down and the computer tells me I have a new email! A bright spot yes!!! Perhaps the bad luck has finally run out for real! I won blog candy from The Fitness Freak. Check out her site, she has great healthy living tips, exercise, recipes and motivation! I am so excited to get a copy of Tosca Reno's New book The Eat Clean Diet Recharged! I love that her books are SO focused on whole foods, and even as a vegetarian she has lots of recipes that are vegetarian or that I can adapt! SO hurray for some good luck in my life!!!

My New running program

2010-01-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

I found the outline to the new running program that I am doing with my running buddy, for those of you that are interested in giving it a try here it is. RunSource - GW28k Outline If you are a brand new runner I suggest that you try the couch to 5 k to start. We decided to do this GW28K program because we missed a few weeks when the weather was really nasty. It is however more challenging to run with the sidewalks slippery, so we have have to get creative and run on the streets and find areas that are pretty clean. (IE, not full of ice) sliding on the ice at my age is a bad thing! Goal for this year, 10k in the summer and maybe even a half marathon depending on how my knees hold up with the added distance. If you would like to join my out of the roads. Let me know... I have also set up a ticker on my blog here to keep track of my running and spinning/biking miles. Goal for the year 1200 shouldn't be an issue at all especially with the increased mileage we are planning!

Pondering Thoughts...

2010-01-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

This textbook has been my main source of entertainment for the past few months (and years on and off to know the truth) I purchased the study bundle from American council on Exercise years ago, and have studied on and off and always let something get in the way of actually taking the exam and getting certified.

On Thursday morning, I finally took my ACE personal trainer certification. I passed which is wonderful news!! It was the hardest exam I have taken ever. I am relieved it is over and glad that I had studied so hard to prepare. Still always so much to learn.

My thoughts are so much more. Back in 2004 when I began my life changing event of losing weight and getting healthy who would have thought today I would become a certified personal trainer! Getting the 'fat girl' image out of my head and mind has been ore than a challenge for me. Realizing that I am NOT that girl anymore has been beyond difficult for me, allowing myself to enjoy the results of hard work is not easy. It's also not perfect. Keeping off he weight has proven to be much more difficult than I ever imagined. I and my weight loss are still an on going process; however the realization is that I can still motivate and teach people to be on this life changing journey without being perfect! What a great realization!!

I am busy working on some projects and relaxing until Monday when I start my next nutrition course. I will finish that degree and begin making my dreams and desires a reality. Life is too short to let fears get in the way of dreams. This year I have already stepped beyond what is comfortable and safe and will continue to do so. This is my year!

What are you going to achieve this year?

December in Photos

2009-12-31T11:48:00.001-08:00

December has been an extremely busy month so I figure it's best to just show lots of photos. Above is Nikolas in the red and gray sweater waiting for his turn to sing in the winter concert with his class.

I couldn't resist this is two of my 'boys' Dasher and Vixen, they are too sweet!

Here's Ariana at the middle school on concert night showing off her artwork! Great Job Ariana I love it!

Here's Ariana on concert night, sporting her first 'high' heels and new outfit. She was so proud and she LOVES to be part of the chorus!

Zach, Nikolas and Ariana building a snow fort in the backyard! They love to play in the snow!

Second night of Hanukkah having a big Latke dinner with family and friends. It was a great night. Thanks all for coming and sharing with us!

Here's my family and I on the first night of Hanukkah. We were fortunate to have mother-in-law here to visit and take the photo of all of us!

A few nights into Hanukkah it was Nikolas' 8Th birthday I can't believe that my baby is 8 years old. He is growing so fast. You can see on the table his very favorite things. Mac and cheese, bionicles and chocolate anything, all by his request!!!

Zach sporting his new guitar, he was very excited! Can you tell? He is almost 14 so what do we expect!!

Nikolas also excited to have his new guitar. Anyone want to come and teach these two lefties of mine how to play!!??

Ariana opening gifts, Look at the look on Nikolas' face, he didn't think he was getting a gift! Oh boy! Then out came the guitars!

Nikolas saying the prayers while Ariana lights the candles. The all love to do it and we have to set up a rotation for them to all get a few turns!

Caught Zachary with his glasses on... hum.. how did I manage that, I barely remember that he has them!

After Hanukkah was over we put up the tree for Christmas and Brian's family to come visit. We also had a great time making gifts for the kids teachers and soon we will be able to relax!

Nikolas laughing about candy that Fl Gramma sent, It's called Toxic Waste. I didn't try it, it smelled disgusting.

Zachary laughing as he was trying to figure out how to get the gift card OUT of the puzzle box!! He loved that and can't wait to try it on one of his friends!

Nikolas loving his new guitar sweatshirt!

Ariana wearing her new vest and showing off her new PJ's. We have had a great and busy month. After years of thinking about it I will be taking my ACE personal trainer certification exam. I hope to find more time to relax and write on the blog in 2010. I will continue working on my master's starting mid January. I am confident it will be a good year!

I am excited to clear the slate and start a new. I love the idea of a fresh start. Continuing to work on goals, and become a better person each year! I hope for all of you. A happy and healthy 2010. Eat your peas, hug your kids and enjoy every day...

Sharing

2009-12-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

I have recently been immersed in studying, family, the holidays, and life. I yearn to blog and write and connect however there just isn't always time. I am still reading my favorite blogs although it seems all of you are busy with other things in life too and not posting as much.

I have recently began running again, for the umpteenth time, it clears my mind and is nourishment for me in every way. Some days I run with a friend (or two) others I run alone. Alone, I challenge my myself, my mind that always doubts what I am capable of and my body that always says it's too old and too tired to keep going. Somehow, I always remain the victor. How? Not so sure, but nonetheless a reminder that no matter my age, size, or how much I slept the night before I am always capable of much more than I believe that I can do. I have been taking some steps to accomplish things that I have had fears of doing and I will share that at a later time.

I came across a most wonderful blog post this morning on the student message boards at Hawthorn, here. I can not recommend enough taking the time to read this article, if you are a regular blog reader of mine, or human, some part of this article will touch your heart. The photos and words are simple yet heartfelt and true. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did...

What I have been eating lately... and what's on the menu

2009-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

Here's my first pasta sauce that I have made from fresh tomatoes and my first canning project. Yummy.. it didn't last long.

This is acorn squash with Jenny's apple (link to her site) pie filling. I just put a scoop in each half and baked it that way... Yummm!!! Thanks Jenny!

This is great spaghetti squash recipe. Not the one the I posted yesterday, this is a mexicana one, the salsa on top is pineapple, tomato, and avocado. The squash has black beans, onions, and corn.

One my menu this week:

Sunday: Spaghetti Squash casserole

Monday: black bean burgers, potatoes, and salad

Tuesday: Homemade chili (sorry no recipe I just throw it all together)

Wednesday:Creamy Quinoa primavera

Thursday: Grain and Vegetable Casserole

Friday: Left overs or something else creative I come up with, maybe breakfast for dinner

Saturday: Dinner with friends, it will be a surprise!

Wednesday and Thursday dinners are from a new(to me) website called Eat Better America, I have not tried either one yet. So far so good for a few others I have tried from there. I love to find new recipes, however I am really not good at following them exactly, unless I am baking. I love to just start cooking and see what happens, recipes are a guideline for me and I love to add my own touch to it. If I like the recipe I will put it in my binder and take note of what I did, liked etc.

Let me know if you try any of them or what you are eating these days!!

Halloween Weekend!!!

2009-11-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

The photos are all wonky tonight... but it was one of those weekends... here's the carved pumpkin. Loverly isn't it!?

And my wonderful and fun c25k group, plus a few new friends! What a great Halloween morning it was, despite the hills and the wind. I had a great time!

Nikolas digging the 'ick' out of the pumpkin, which we roasted the seeds later on he said they tasted like cardboard. Darn...

Ariana in her eagle costume. She loved it and was so proud of being 'patriotic'. It was lots of fun making her costume!

Brian and the two littles taking the seeds out of the pumpkin. I love the expression on Ariana's face, and Nikolas thinks this is too funny!

Captain "Nikolas" America... What a great time he had!

Ariana at the school parade. She loves it and we were fortunate enough that the rain held out at least for the school portion of the festivities!

Get Off The Couch!!!

2009-09-30T12:00:00.001-07:00

Meet Comet, He really isn't a couch potato, however I sure laugh every time I see him sitting like this, which these days is often. I think he learned it from me some years ago before I realized how much I enjoy exercising. Here we were renting a camper in the Finger Lakes of NY while traveling on PCS orders, fun NOT.

Anyhow, Comet doesn't really have anything to do with what I am about to write about, but he sure is cute!

The couch, it's comfortable, cozy, and has a warm blanket I can snuggle up to on a cool day, (and some days when it's hot and I am loosing the air conditioner wars also), so why in the world would I ever want to get up off the couch. There are so many reasons but today, I specifically want to talk about Couch to 5 k program. I started this class at my local YMCA and we are in week 6 right now. The program is phenomenal, I am having a lot of fun challenging myself to get out and run again.

When we lived in WA, which seems like ages ago now, I ran with a group. I have so missed the camaraderie and friendship that comes along with it, that was two years ago. I must admit that even though I have been exercising regularly since arriving in NY, I have not done much running mostly because I missed my group, my friends, and even the familiarity of the roads(mountains) that we ran on out west. I have to say that when I was asked if I ever thought about taking this class, I thought, why would I pay for a class when I can go out and run for free. Well, I decided that I would jump in and see what it is all about. I have become a complete die hard advocate for the Couch to 5k (c25k) running program.

This systematic program can literally get just about anybody with the ability to move off the couch and running in a short matter of 9-10 weeks! (even me) How about that? The program starts out slow and works its way up into longer paced running periods. Right from the starting line, everyone can feel success after the first day 1 workout! I suppose that it helps that the class has a great and supportive instructor (Thanks Laurie) and lots of supportive running mates (you know who you are!) The class meets once a week and we have homework 2 more times a week! Can you believe it, a fitness class with homework? Well I am certain that it is what makes the whole process a possibility! It also helps that I have a running buddy, thanks Alison, to do all my homework with and help keep me on target!

If you don't' have a class in your area you can just follow the plans listed on coolrunning.com, linked above. I have been using these podcasts (ipod and mp3 format) and it makes it so simple, no time keeping necessary as Robert (virtual timekeeper) does all the hard work for you and gives you some music to listen to as well!

There is more information about c25k here.

So what are you waiting for? Running (and any exercise) is good for your heart, sanity and much more. So get up get off the couch and start running!! Go! Go Now! Then come back and tell me all about it!!!

It's that time of Year again... Filling the Lunchbox

2009-09-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

It seems that every year when the kids go back to school that the old dilemma comes back up. What in the world can I give my kids to eat for lunch. These days, the school lunch line is not always a healthy or tasty place to be. Schools have cut back and frozen and overly processed foods that are just being heated up in the lunchroom, nothing is cooked from scratch anymore.

So here's some ideas that you can try to beat the boring thoughts of spreading peanut butter and jelly everyday. Not to mention my youngest decided that the day school started that he 'hated' peanut butter, so I myself have had to get creative with his lunch.

First and easiest thing to do for lunch is serve leftovers! Yeah you heard me, good old leftovers. My kids love it. They have thermos' that I can put hot chili, lasagna, or soups right into. I heat them very hot in the am and then cover them up. Be careful not to twist your container too tight as it may form a seal very hard for a child to open! (ask me how I know) My kids love to have their favorites warm for lunch! They love it and many times they are proud to bring it to school because they have helped in the process of making the meal the night before.

Another thing is to get out of the thought process that every lunch has to have a sandwich. Why? Sometimes we are creatures of habit. My kids enjoy different types of breads, zucchini breads, apple breads, carrot breads, corn bread, generally I bake them into muffins so they resemble 'cupcakes' and they gobble them up. How about baked blue corn chips with black bean dip. Hummus and cut up vegetables for dipping, or celery and peanut butter (or other nut butters) with raisins/ dried fruit. Yogurt (vanilla or plain) with some mixed berries or fruit and a bit of granola or muesli to put on top for a bit of crunch. If your child really likes sandwiches how about rolling up your sandwich fixings on a tortilla and slicing (it will kind of look like sushi) and put little toothpicks in them to hold them together. Mini bagels(whole grain preferred) are great, how about slicing a few, giving the child a little container of sauce and another with grated cheese. (their own 'lunchables') There are so many things that you can do with your child's lunches.

Cute stylish containers make food more appealing to kids. I still use the laptop lunches that I wrote about a few years ago and I bought about 4 yrs ago! No buying sandwich bags and tons of prepacked foods with lots of garbage coming home everyday!

Most important put something fresh in the lunchbox everyday and avoid processed junk foods. Fresh fruits, even frozen fruits go over well with kids. Put the frozen fruits into the lunchbox it will help keep your foods cold and will be thawed by lunchtime. Try to introduce new foods with other foods that you know your child really likes. They wont starve themselves and they may be more likely to try new foods when you are not looking!

Other little tips, every once in awhile, cut your child's plain sandwich with cookie cutters to make them more interesting and exciting to eat. Homemade puddings can be a great treat and healthy too. Whatever you do, make the best choices of foods for your child as possible, whole foods are best, and give your child a healthy start to a lifetime of good eating habits!

First Few Days of School and the sunflowers

2009-09-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

The sunflowers are growing but with the cold weather I don't know they will get much bigger. Nikolas is excite to see these red ones.

Here's another it is really tall hence pretty hard to get a good photo because it's way over my head.

Here's a perspective shot sitting next to the Durango. The tallest ones are probably over 7 ft tall right now.

Second day of school with her new haircut!

Here's Ariana very excited about her tie die skirt which she loves.

Here's another shot of Ariana, she loves to have her photo taken.

Here's Nikolas with his new haircut on the 2ND day of school.

Ariana loves her new converse shoes!

Nikolas and Ariana on the first day of school!

Getting Creative with Dinner and a Little Treat from the Garden

2009-08-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

My friend (thanks Sara) brought me the biggest Zucchini that I have ever seen in my life! It must have weighed about 6 lbs (just a guess and not necessarily as good one) So I cut on the curve to make it easier to cut in half. Scooped out the seeds and then I had to figure out what to do with it. I got creative with the goodies that I had picked up at the farmers market. Sauteed onion and fresh organic leeks with garlic, basil (grown on my windowsill) with diced red pepper, sun dried tomatoes, black beans and brown rice. Seasoned it kind of spicy, and sprinkled a little cheddar cheese on it. The corn was picked this morning and so juicy and fresh. So delicious!

The green beans were a great surprise from my garden, especially since it was what I thought destroyed by the hail storm a few months back. It's been slightly neglected, and I was very surprised to see anything growing from it. Yeah.. the beans were delicious! yum.. and they didn't last long!

Relaxation and The Digestive System

2009-08-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have just finished another class for school. In this class we discussed dietary direction of foods (which I am not going to discuss right now) and a lot about digestion.

Many things we know already however some we don't really think about on a regular basis. Almost every diet book I have ever read talks about chewing your food, eating more slowly and they also say to stop eating before we are completely stuffed. Why?

The digestive process is controlled by the autonomic nervous system specifically the parasympathetic nervous system. In order for this system to work we need to be relaxed and slow down. Response to stress, anxiety or similar feelings shut off this system and activate the autonomic nervous system which is the system that protects us (example fight or flight) in high anxiety, it also turns off our parasympathetic nervous system thus shutting down our ability to digest our food and absorb our needed nutrients! There is more to it, but this is a basic synopsis of it.

Anyhow, thinking more about being relaxed before eating. I started to be more aware of my patterns while preparing and eating food. Generally I am in the kitchen preparing food, rushing around trying to get everything ready so we can get to where ever we have to go that night, and hollering to get kids to come inside, help set the table you know the drill.

So in the last few weeks I have been more aware of this, being more relaxed while preparing food and enjoying the whole preparation process, the textures of the food not only while eating but while preparing it too. Also enjoying the smells, as this is where digestion starts, when the smells get you salivating it releases enzymes that will begin the digestive process as soon as you begin to eat. I have started to just sit down and just take a few deep breaths before eating to help myself relax more.

I have noticed a difference in how I feel during and after eating, I am enjoying my food more and feeling better after eating on a regular basis.

How about you, how do you feel when you prepare foods and eat?

This Makes it all worthwhile.....

2009-07-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of Nikolas at camp. He is watching skits and performances by the other scouts. This made all the waking up early and dragging 35 min away several times this week worth it all! Nikolas tends to be so serious, and getting him to really laugh and enjoy himself is not always easy... I am so happy for him to have had such a great week at camp! It was truly healing for my heart to see him having so much fun! The absolute favorite of all scouts... The archery range! Nikolas even gave up a turn so his sister could have a turn. Maybe I am doing something right after all!

More laughter from the scouts....

The skit that Nikolas' den did, invisible spaceship!

Last weekend

2009-07-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here in NY we have a nice few miles of biking/walking trails. We decided to start here this time at one of the locks here on the Mohawk River. The kids rode their plasma cars in hope to avoid to whining of how much longer do we have to go.

Here the lock is opening to drain and let the boats down. The kids really enjoyed seeing how that works and seeing the boats too.

Pausing for a break so the kids can see where they came from, that's the lock back there. You can see the plasma cars here too. They are kid powered, using their arms... we have a great time with them. They can hold up to 250 lbs so we happily get on and try to race the kids around the driveway and such.

And off they go!!! Of course you notice that our oldest was not with us, he didn't want to come. Imagine that! Life of a teenager!

We did get to see a little wildlife. Note I said a little.... cute little guy huh?

Nikolas got tired so if you look closely you can see the stick he is holding on too and Brian is pulling. Sorry it's a bit blurry but you can get the point!

Ariana showing off her muscles after going over a few miles on the plasma car.. All in all it was a great day and we were all so happy to spend some time outdoors.

There hasn't been much of a summer this year so far.. so it was great to take advantage of it!!

After the walk we picked up out oldest and his friend to go out and launch the rocket we got for Brian for Father's Day. Here they are setting it up!

This is the last time that we saw the rocket....

I believe that if you can see the rocket if you see it here.. sort of...

Just received this in my email!!

2009-07-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

It's time to celebrate!!!!

Dear Carrie,

On behalf of Hawthorn University, I extend hearty congratulations to you for being chosen to appear on the President's List for your outstanding academic achievement.

Working on an advanced degree in an online environment is a challenging endeavor. You have proven your exceptional ability to excel in your studies despite any possible obstacles that you may have faced along the way.

Your exceptional scholastic accomplishments have earned the respect and admiration of all of us at Hawthorn and those who share your field of expertise. The ability to achieve and maintain a perfect grade point average of 4.0 is something that should be applauded by you and all who know you.

In addition to this congratulatory letter, you will soon be receiving a Certificate of Achievement for your accomplishments. The Certificate is suitable for framing and something you should be proud to display in your home or office.

As Hawthorn University's President and Chief Academic Officer, I urge you to continue to strive for excellence in your education. Your efforts have clearly demonstrated your dedication and commitment to the field of holistic nutrition.

Warmest regards,

Dorothy M. Germano, Ph.D President and Chief Academic Officer Hawthorn University

Welcome to my son Nikolas to the blogging world!

2009-07-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share that my son Nikolas started his very own blog. Nikolas is very creative and wants to share that with everyone. Here is the link to his blog please let him know what you think, he would love your comments and would love more followers!

Farmers Market Pie/Quiche

2009-07-02T10:22:00.001-07:00

This pie was made out of my imagination since I had bought lots of veggies from the farmers market. First I sauteed zucchini (yellow and green), with onion, garlic, leek, red pepper fresh basil, and broccoli.

I made the crust from cooked brown rice, diced onion, egg and a bit of seasoning. I pressed it into the pie plates and bakes it for a bit. I put a bit of mustard over the rice crust and then added the veggies and eggs with a bit of sharp cheddar on top. Then just baked it until it was firm all the way through.

Yummy.. it tasted especially with how fresh the veggies were .... Sorry this is as close as I get to a recipe on this since I didn't really write anything down.

Happy Birthday Ariana!!

2009-06-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

Here she is showing off her new binoculars and bird guide. She is ready for bird watching!!

Card From Florida Grandma!

At Howe Caverns...

With a Bumblebee impersonator at Cruising on the ave yesterday!

Ariana is 9 today. She is a sweet and creative girl that loves to see new things. I love her artistic and creative side. In a few weeks she will begin to play the violin and thus will begin a new creative endeavor for her! Ariana you have brought a lot of joy into my life. I love you for who you are!

Have a wonderful day,

I love you,

Mommy!!

Back to my old ways.. Running off with the Band!!!

2009-06-19T14:09:00.001-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I got home from grocery shopping and saw all the kids gathered 'round Axel Rose.(they didn't know he was real,they thought he was just from video games, surprise!) So I decided that after a really tough year, full of stress and such I am just running off with the band to be a roadie.(no groupie for Axel). Off I go. No more worrying about kids, school, gardens etc... Did you really think I was running off? Ha.. Actually this is one of my friends and she dressed like this to surprise her 5Th grade daughter at her luncheon (celebration for moving up to middle school). One of the Dad's dressed like Slash... The kids said they had a great time and really enjoyed themselves. I bet you believe that too huh?

Well I suppose that if you don't see me for a while and I don't answer my phone, you can only wonder if I am off with the band!

I am devistated!!!

2009-06-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

Monday evening we were struck with a hail storm, about the size of a marble shooter it did caused some havoc in my yard.

Not only did it bring down limbs, and make it mess, it destroyed my garden that I have worked hours preparing and nurturing my little plants so we would have some yummy organic veggies and fruits to eat this summer.

You can see that a short little hail storm left nothing. I have been peaking outside hoping that my young plants would perk up. I haven't got the heart to photograph the damage. Now I know how Pa Ingalls felt when his crop was destroyed by at a terrible storm. Now to decide do I buy plants at Sunday's farmers market, or hope that some of these plants will recover?

Regardless of what happens out in the yard, the band plays on!!

Nikolas' Sunflower Patch

2009-06-09T10:44:00.001-07:00

No... this isn't Nikolas' sunflower patch.. it's going to be my garden. The plants are still growing in pots. Yes I know I have to get them into the ground, I worked a few hours getting the rest of the weeds out and it's ready today. Just that it rained. Here's Nikolas planting his seeds. He has been asking to grow sunflowers for a few years. I told him that he had to get out there and do it. Finally he has, I will keep an update on the progress.

He was so sweet to let Ariana help. She wasn't allowed to dig thou. I am sure she wouldn't want to either! Here is Ariana showing off the seed package. We planted these in the backyard, they are supposed to get up to 12 ft tall! Holy cow! The ones we planted on the side are supposed to get to about 6 ft. I think that's tall. We will see.

Happy planting... and eat your veggies!

Where there is smoke...

2009-06-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

There is my compost finally doing it's thing.... Can you believe that layer after layer my darn compost is finally heating up. There was even condensation on the lid when I opened it up today. Also, on the note of compost, before I got my bin, we had what we called the 'bunny pile' and it that place there is some very interesting plants growing from there. I am curious and excited to know if it is going to be something edible as most of what got put back there was food scraps. I will update when I know! I have the garden ready for planting. Just have to figure out how to keep the darn squirrels out of it. The sproutlings are ready to go into the ground. I will be doing it tomorrow. The cucumbers are in the ground, and I hope to get Nikolas outside today to plant his sunflower seeds.

Have you Seen the Bridge!?

2009-06-04T11:35:00.001-07:00

The past few weeks have been filled with ceremonies, end of year trips etc. The most exciting thing for both my younger kids was getting to cross the bridge in scouts. Nikolas has earned his Tiger rank in scouts and is now a wolf. The ceremony was so much fun for my tiger cubs (and the rest of the scouts) This rite of passage is one that the boys love as they feel they are growing up. The excitement of working towards rank is a great esteem builder! Here I am putting on Nikolas' new scarf, he is checking out the year of service pin and the tiger badge he just earned!

Here's Ariana- she is no longer a brownie girl scout but a Junior. She got her new vest in Green and is so excited. She practically ran across the bridge to get her new vest and awards I couldn't get another photo, and I had to put her back on the bridge to stage it after the ceremony! See photo below. Where has the time gone? My kids are all growing up! We just signed Ariana up to play the violin as well. I am so proud of them for all their hard work in scouts this year! We have all grown so much.

Help me Brainstorm....

2009-05-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all.. I am currently brainstorming ideas for my research thesis for my Master's Degree. You are all such a great source of information and I know that those of you that come to my blog and read regularly are either my Mom or a fan of learning to eat healthy or eating healthy. So of course and as usual I love to come to you all for ideas.

So tell me what you would you love to read more research about in the field of nutrition. Remember this is a brainstorm so no idea is too big or small.... Let's hear it!!

Also, I am in need of a volunteer to fill out and food and liquid activity form for me (for a current project due in a few weeks) One day is all I am asking. I can send it to you in word or pdf format. Any takers.... Please?

The Veggies are Coming!!!

2009-05-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

Long gone are the days when I can not grow a cactus! I have been experimenting with growing herbs and a few simple potted veggies for a few years. Last year I grew enough basil and cucumbers to feed the neighborhood. This year I am going all out. All the plants are organic and have been started from seed. I am hopeful that they will grow and mature into beautiful tasty and healthy fruit and vegetable plants. I am excited that they are growing so quickly.

Next weekend we will be getting the ground ready and getting these lovely plants ready to be transferred into the ground! Can't wait! Hopes for this year, Basil, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, watermelon, bell peppers, spinach and lettuce mix. We were given some organic carrot, corn and green bean seeds and will put them in the ground soon too. Wish me luck. I hope to be eating some fresh yummy produce all summer long!

Interesting and surprising project Update....

2009-05-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

I am just updating you all on my nutrition project, the one I did with the deficiencies and excess' in my diet. (Here) I got my grades and feedback from my prof. and his input was great and very similar to what I was thinking. That nutrition levels will even out some over the course of a few days to a week. I was relieved to hear that. He said that he was impressed with the amount of vitamin K and that the only concern with that amount 'really' was if it was in synthetic form. (yeah, I don't have to give up my favorite veggies yet!) The best part for me is that I do tend to go on 'kicks' where I really want a lot of one kind of veggie and then after a week or so I will move on to another. It's great to not be craving junk anymore, that is really rare.

As the school year (for the kids) is winding down, I will be working on inputting my foods in the computer program and really looking at the numbers to see for myself. I know it will level out but I am still curious to look at the numbers themselves.

Anyone else keeping track of what they are eating.. I know I sent the link for the computer analysis program to a few of you.....

Enjoy this beautiful weather!!

Lemonade Stand Award

2009-05-04T13:21:00.001-07:00

My Friend Jenny Nominated me for this award... Wow! Thanks Jenny! I am honored

Jenny's has inspired me to come out of my sewing comfort zone and encouraged me to try some new things all around! Gardening, harder knitting projects you name it! Thanks Jenny for your friendship and support!

The Lemonade Stand Award is for being a blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude.

To pick up the Lemonade Stand Award:- Comment on this blog.- Cut and paste the award logo and use it in your own blog.-

Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.-

Link to your nominees within your blog post.-

Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.-

Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I would like to nominate the following bloggers for their great inspiration to me:

To my Mom - You have so much courage and are always an inspiration- you are doing great in the world of technology too!

My sister - For speaking out for mother's everywhere and for supporting me too!

To ChrissyD - for being a great support and your artwork is amazing and beautiful!

To Tammie- without your blog I wouldn't have much to eat, and I eat the most yummy bread thanks to you! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes AND your knowledge of health! (plus I am really jealous of your pantry!

To Melissa - I so appreciate your courage and strength! You are an inspiration, I am so glad that I found your blog... Keep up the good work!!

To Cris - I so enjoy watching your relationship with your family. Your girls are blessed to have you. I so love your projects, and traditions. Thank you for sharing them!P> I love so many blogs.. they are all inspiring to me in many ways!

Blogger hugs! Carrie

Interesting and Surprising Project part 1

2009-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

I just finished a project for school, actually a few, but this one in particular was quite an eye opener for me!

Here's the deal. I had to enter everything I ate for one day into the nutritional software I have, and analyze ALL of my vitamin and mineral intake for an entire day.

When I configured my charts (anyone that did the nutritional study may remember the detail) I was surprised and a bit astonished about the results! Many of you know that I eat A LOT of fruits and veggies tons in the matter of fact! I love them. I eat very little processed food and when I do I am very choosy about what will buy! No refined flour, sugar etc. Anyhow, some nutrients I was completely deficient in, meaning NONE, some were very low and some were SO high they were beyond the UL's (upper limit) set by the USDA.

It really got me thinking about some things, for one, with all the whole foods I eat how in the world do I really get all my nutrients if I have to eat even MORE than I do to get them. ?

Is one day really a good representation of how well rounded my diet is? I am going to experiment with this and will report again later.

If I eat 'healthy' are people that eat fast food, processed foods, and refined foods on a daily or weekly basis getting any nutrients? Do we really wonder why there is so much chronic disease in our country?

With all I am learning, I am so much more aware of the big picture. The facts are right there for me to see, and it is proof positive that no matter how 'healthy' we truly think we eat there is always room for improvement. Always!

With this said, I have some work to do, for one, I am going to enter my food in the nutritional analysis software for at least a week, then I am going to look at each day individually and as a whole to see the differences in the analysis each day and the whole week.

If anyone else is curious to look at your own dietary intake, let me know. I can send you links and information to play with me. It does take effort to enter all your foods... but I am game to not play alone!

This isn't really where I thought I was going with this, but hey, it is important to prevent illness and promote optimal health to really be aware of what we are eating. I do take some supplements multivitamins and B12 (since I am a vegetarian) and I am relieved that even though I eat healthy I continue to take them.

Stay tuned for more information and followup in the next few weeks.... My brain is thinking!

My Soccer Stars!!!!

2009-04-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today was the opening of the spring soccer season for my two youngest children. Ariana's game was first. She has never really played before and jumped right in like a pro. She had such a good time and I was so proud of her for being such a good sport! There was no practice before this game so it was hit or miss as to how the kids would do. Ariana smiled the whole time and despite it all she had a great time!

Nikolas also had his first game, it wasn't as easy for him to jump onto the field and playing without much practice or instruction. He had fun playing outside. There was only one sub so by the time the game was over he (and all the other kids were exhausted. It was also a warm and beautiful day.

The kids had a great time playing with water guns and the sprayer hose after we got home from the games!

The Bugs in Our Gut....

2009-04-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

My studies have brought me to think about my own health and that of family and friends in a different light. Unfortunately, I can not change some people and everyone wont agree with me. If you talk to me on a regular basis I am sure that you have heard me rave about the benefits of probiotics. Having a proper balance of 'gut flora' can make all the difference in the world. The intestinal tract is the link to the outside world in our bodies, if it isn't strong and healthy then we are more susceptible to disease and illness. I have wanted to write about it for awhile, but today I read a great article on it which I will share instead. I will warn you it is very long, but it is written very well in an easy to understand way. For anyone concerned about your health and well being, I do encourage you to read this article and discuss with your medical provider (especially if you have any medical issues) before taking probiotics. All probiotics are not equal so be sure to make good choices and ask for assistance from an informed source. Here's the link I would love to know what you all think about it.

yummalicious!!!!!

2009-04-11T16:02:00.001-07:00

Tonight's dinner was delicious!! I took my own version these Parmesan crisps. Instead of Goddess dressing I used Bolthouse Farms Honey Mustard dressing mixed in the eggs. The kids loved it and there wasn't much left after dinner.

The main course is sliced tofu, browned in a skillet, layered on grilled eggplant slices ( I used the George Forman Grill) and a homemade sauce from fresh and sun dried tomatoes, crushed garlic and chopped fresh basil. It had such a good flavor layered on top of the eggplant and tofu. I got the original idea from The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook it had eggplant with tomato slices, squash sliced(longways) with some sort of grilled chicken. Since I don't eat chicken I thought I would try tofu. Then I decided to make the crisps and so I didn't put the squash on it, and from there I just started making up the sauce. I figured that the kids would eat the eggplant and tofu better with a sauce instead of sliced tomatoes, thus a recipe is born. I have no idea what to call it nor do I know if I can reproduce it ever again.

So what's the deal with Vitamins and all the acronyms?

2009-04-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

In going along with my last post asking for opinions from you all about vitamin and mineral informational sheets, I figured I would just jump in and talk about vitamins and minerals a bit.

Seems that there can be lots of confusion about vitamins- what they are and how much of them we need. The general term that we see with RDA, which is recommended dietary allowance. These numbers are derived from EAR's (estimate Average requirements) and are assumed that these numbers will meet the needs of 97% of the population. The are set to help individuals avoid deficiencies in any given nutrient. What about the other 3% of the population that doesn't fall into that category or what if you have other circumstances?

There will be other acronyms that you will see in books or on supplement bottles, AI which is adequate intake meaning that it will meet the needs of most healthy individuals. You will also see UI, mean tolerable upper intake level. UI's were established with the onslaught of enriched and fortified foods that are available on the market as it is too easy to consume too much of a nutrient when eating these foods, especially if you are taking nutritional supplements as well.

ODI's and SONA's Optimum daily intake and Suggested optimal Daily nutritional Allowances These have been set as a way to not only avoid deficiency but to promote optimum health benefits as well. ODI's are set in ranges for men and women and SONA's are set generally in mg's(micrograms) or IU's(international units)

In times when your body is under stress or healing you may need more of certain nutrients than in times of health. Nutrients work much like a symphony, a balance is needed for optimum health. Too much of some nutrients may negate the effects of others. For example, vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium in the small intestine, and decreases it's excretion through the urine. If one is deficient in Vit D despite adequate calcium intake our bodies may not be getting its requirements. Calcium also works with magnesium to be absorbed so adequate intake of magnesium is also necessary; however, to much can inhibit absorption as well. Also,phosphorus can inhibit calcium absorption. Sodas are high in phosphorus, so individuals drinking a lot of soda's may have issues with this. This doesn't mean that we should not have any phosphorus intake, just that a well rounded diet will ensure proper absorption of needed nutrients.

One of the best ways to ensure that we have proper nutrient intake is to eat a large variety of plant based organic(when possible) foods. Look for fresh grown produce as foods lose their nutrient value from storage as well as from cooking. Local is always a great way to go as it is probably as fresh and nutrient dense as it can be. If you still don't think you have adequate intake, consider a quality multivitamin supplement. (talk to your health care provider)

I wish you all the best of health on your journey with good nutrition.

Sources:

Nutritional Sciences-Michelle McGuire, The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book-Shari Lieberman, Textbook of Natural Medicine, Hawthorn University Lecture

Opinions please!

2009-04-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hey all.. I am getting ready to work on a project for school. I have to choose a water soluble and fat soluble vitamin and a mineral and make a informational handout for each.

What I am wondering is, if you were looking for information about vitamins and minerals in a handout. What would attract you to it? What would you want to know about each? Would layout, color, graph or paragraph form be more attractive, or better to understand?

I wont publish your comments if you don't want me to, but I would love your opinions. I would really like to create something that would be helpful and that I can continue to use as I being to work with clients.

Thanks all, Carrie

Happy Spring!!!!

2009-03-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

YES!! I can not express my excitement more than finding these crocus' in my yard!! I love them and purple is my favorite color. I love what they symbolize, the coming of spring! I am counting the days and watching the thermometer go up. I can't wait to garden, and I can't wait for the fresh tasty produce that is coming.

These poor flowers are in the strangest location in my yard I would have never known that they were here but we found them today cleaning up the limbs that feel from the trees over the winter! It is delightful. I hope to get some bulbs in the ground where we can actually enjoy them next year!!! Enjoy all what a beautiful sight!!!!

More clean eating... with The Eat Clean Diet

2009-03-19T05:45:00.001-07:00

I have recently came across a series of books called The Eat Clean Diet. Tosca Reno the author has quite a few books now, Eat Clean Diet, Eat Clean Diet Cookbook, The Eat Clean Diet for families and kids you get the idea. These books are not vegetarian by any means but have a great variety of recipes and great nutritional information in the original book and great tips. She is one that has lost a lot of weight and I so admire that especially when you become a swimsuit model. (I know that is not in my future, unless I am portraying an alien with road maps for a stomach, nonetheless my health feels great)

I have tried several of her recipes and they have turned out great so far. The tomato soup I have made a few times and is not just tomatoes, but celery, carrots, sweet potato, basil, oregano and once you put it all through the blender yum.....

So last night I made the healthful mac and cheese, I made everyone leave the kitchen because I knew if they saw what went in it they wouldn't even try it. Starts out the night before, by straining plain, non sweetened yogurt with a cheese cloth (over a bowl of course) I was amazed at how thick it came out. Mashed sweet potato, olive oil, a bit of flour and a bit of Parmesan and seasonings. The kids loved it! Even my son that refuses to eat sweet potatoes or yogurt!! It went in 3 of 4 lunch boxes today so I guess it was a hit! Served of course over whole wheat noodles..

I wish I had a photo as it was definitely worth one but it just disappeared to quickly! And I doubled the recipe! check it out for yourself. She even has some recipes on her website, linked above. I love when I make something new and everyone in the house loves it!!!

** not affiliated(although it would be nice) just a happy customer!

Sewing project #2

2009-03-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

This is project bag number two. I have done more sewing in the past few days than I have in a long time. I am clearing up my table for a few days and getting back to the books. It was MUCH quicker the second time around!!! This one is for me!

Here's the inside of the bag.... The fabrics were fat quarters, I want more! They only had fat quarters though...

Knitting projects coming soon! I am amazed at how much I have accomplished in the past few weeks, in projects especially with how busy I have been with the kids and school. It is GREAT to be so productive and the weather is warming up and I can see my compost pile again. I bought a bin I will put up this year, I love the sunshine and warmer days!

My first REAL sewing project

2009-03-15T17:55:00.001-07:00

I can't express how excited I am that I have completed this bag! I have been a beyond beggining sewer for as long as I have owned a sewing machine, today I ventured out to make this cute little knitting tote for my daughter! She's 8 and picked the fabrics herself. Cheeta on the inside and birds on the out! This is the first time that I have sewn anything that was any other shape than a basic rectangle and it looks pretty good. I learned a few things about the project and now I can make my own without to much of a hitch! She's gone to bed so she won't see it complete until the morning!

Inside the bag has a small pocket for your pattern, counter or markers, and a divider (complicate to sew but I got it) in the center of the bag for knitting two socks at once or two small projects and even yarn feeder loops. Most knitters will understand that last thing.

Questions to My kids???? Yikes!

2009-03-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

For better or worse, here's what my kids had to say!!!

Nikolas-N

Ariana-A

Zach-Z

1. What is something mom always says to you?

N-clean up

A-Clean up my room

Z- I'm a dork

2.What makes your mom happy?

N-when I clean up

A-Hugs

Z-me

3. What makes mom Sad?

N-Us being bad

A-Daddy going away

Z-me

4.What makes your mom laugh?

N-funny cat photos

A-jokes

Z-me

5. What was your Mom like as a child?

N-Little house on the prairie

A-Little house on the prairie

Z-How should I know!

6. How Old is mom?

N-40

A-40

Z- over 40

7. How tall is your Mom?

N-don't know

A-a bit taller than me

Z-almost as short as me

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do?

N-cook, wait knit

A-knit

Z-knit

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?

N-knit

A-I don't know I am not there

Z-How should I know

10. If your mom becomes famous what would it be for?

N- because she's rich

A-knitting

Z-she's already been famous for loosing weight

11. What is your mom good at?

N-wii fit

A-scrapbooking and knitting

Z-knitting

12. What is your mom not good at?

N-video games (obviously wii fit doesn't count)

A-cutting down trees

Z-video games

13. What does your mom do for her job?

N-nothing

A- you don't have a job do you?

Z- doesn't have a job ( I wonder what would happen if I quit my job!)

14. What's your mom's favorite foods?

N-don't know

A- fruits and veggies

Z- don't know

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

N-when she gets me something

A- she knits good stuff

Z not sure

16. If your mom were a cartoon character who would she be?

N-Jerry from Tom and Jerry

A-wonder woman

Z-herself only in ink

17. How are you and your mom the same?

N-we both play wii fit

A-we like to knit and scrapbook

Z-we both like food

18. How are you and your mom different?

N-I am a boy, she's a girl

A-I like meat and she doesn't

Z-she knits I don't. we are opposite genders

19. How do you know your mom loves you?

N-I'm her son

A-because she does and she hugs and kisses me

Z-she says it

20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

N- the mall

A-to the mall (funny thing is I haven't been to a real mall in months, I do like to shop though)

Z-away from us (sigh)

Mom of a Teenager!!!!

2009-03-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Yikes, it happened. I am a bit late in post this, but yes I became the Mom of a teenager. It's official Zach turned 13!!! Where does the time go? Seems just yesterday I was in high school and how did I become the mom of three kids!!! This photo symbolizes the onset of a new era, as Zach blew out the candles he must have sucked in a new attitude too! Maybe it's my fault because we didn't have enough birthday candles so I put Hanukkah candles on his birthday cake! (Don't tell he's not the first one to get them, up cycling you know)

On a serious note, Zach is a great kid. Smart as they come, lucky in that it all comes very easy to him. Photographic memory and all. He is caring and kind to others (siblings don't count) and we are lucky that he stays out of trouble. He loves his fencing, and is a boy scout working on advancements. We love him all the same. I am grateful that he is focused on school and activities and that girls haven't ventured into the mix yet!

Last weekend Zach's school team participated in The Science Olympiad (Olympics for geeks) the team was amazing, and came in 4Th place overall. There are about 15 areas of competition and Zach participated in three. Each event has a team of two kids. Zach first event was sumo bots, the bot is pictured above, the boys came if 1st place, thus they came home with a gold medal!!! Way to go!!!!! Next event was car of tomorrow, a very raw looking car, built under the premise of mag lev trains, he and his partner took 2ND place there! His last event was science crime busters, a written test, and they took 7Th in that competition! It was a lot of hard work building up to the event, and in the end the pay off was big. The kids had a great time and came home with lots of experience and excitement for next year! Hardwork does have it's payoff!

Definition of Organics and more on food

2009-03-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

I found this definition of Organics on the Organic Consumers web page-

Definition of "Organics" in the U.S.Effective 21 October 2002, all agricultural farms and products claiming to be organic must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting the following guidelines: Abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior to certification and then continually throughout their organic license. Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation. Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices. Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock. Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals. Sustain animals on 100% organic feed. Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products. Keep records of all operations.

This explains what is 'allowable' for USDA organic certification. It seems pretty cut and dry, however, I just don't think it is quite that simple. Some companies are using other labeling options to get out of the fear factor especially of irradiated foods. There is actually a symbol that will hopefully be placed on all foods that are irradiated in our country. Many countries have outlawed irradiating foods and also genetically modified foods as well. Go team GO! I sure hope that at some point we will follow suit!

It is imperative in our country that we educate consumers on why they are obese and chronically ill, all the time! Foods in a box is not the food we need for healthy living. Our cells need the to syncronize of the myriad of macronutrients, and micronutrients in order to function properly.

In other words, our organic foods can be heat processed, (pasteurized and homogenized) and yes this does alter our foods. It does deactivate the enzymes in our food. The good news is our pancreas can synthesize enzymes needed for digestion and other bodily function. The bad news, without any raw food enzymes in the diet we can really tax our pancreas thus, adding raw foods to the diet is a great way to assure that we will not put this unnecessary stress on ourselves. Sally Fallon says, that enzymes are proteins that are necessary for many bodily functions, but that without proper intake of necessary vitamins and minerals these process' do not function as they should. Consider the orchestra without violins.

On another note some foods have enzyme inhibitors, and cooking and/or sprouting is necessary to deactivate these. Grains, nuts, legumes and seeds, this is why these foods uncooked can be hard for some to digest. We all have to find a balance between our cooked food and our raw foods. Cooking is not all bad, it can also kill unwanted toxins from foods and activate some nutrients. I think balance is the key. A plant based diet is necessary for optimum health and these foods should be eaten, as we recognize them not so altered that we have to guess what we are eating!

Again choosing raw, cooked, vegetarian, omnivorous is up to each individual to figure out on their own. We are all biochemically different and have to acknowledge and sometimes find what works for our own bodies. I can say that choosing a wide variety of whole organic foods is a great start to better health and more energy. Research has shown that organic foods are more rich in the nutrients we need for life. Many foods have been stored on shelves, trucked across country and sprayed with a myriad of toxins or even irradiated to ward of bacteria and extend shelf life. Be an aware and smart consumer, care about your body and what you put in it. I am certain that will live richer and healthier lives because of it!

Sources: Sally Fallon- Nourishing Traditions George Mateljan- Worlds Healthiest Foods Textbook and Natural Medicine

Research, Research, Research....

2009-03-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks have been extremely busy. Between family, school and self it seems there hasn't been much time for anything else. I finished two very time consuming research papers, one on milk and the other on sugar. I have been asked a few times to share more details about what I am learning. I will touch on it now along with some of my own thoughts and feelings.

Before I get into the actual topics, I have to say how much I am loving working on my degree. The school (Hawthorn) is so open and I can have the ability to flex my mind. I guess that is what I like so much about learning nutrition in general. There is no cut and dry answers when it comes to nutrition.

My research topics, Milk and Sugar, are two topics(among many in the field) that can cause great controversy. These were the focus of both of my research papers, sharing two sides of the same coin. In my papers, I did not have to express my own opinion for much for the principal behind my nutrition education is Biochemical Individuality, each person is different and all people do not react to foods the same. In all reality, I knew much of what I reported about in both papers. Sugar, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners was the topic of paper number one. It is a passionate subject, and the details, stories, and research available is astounding. Getting the facts on paper with proper citation was an amazing way to validate what I knew was/is my own strong natured opinions. The fact that Americans are consuming more and more sweeteners everyday. I was astounded the read that Americans are actually taking in less sugar yearly than before, but before you get too excited the rise of use of high fructose corn syrup, has increased substantially! It is in MOST processed foods on the market. How does this effect us?

The over consumption of sugar, and it's counterparts leads to health problems such as, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Sugar comes in many forms, all broken down in the body to produce the energy necessary for the body to function. Don't go running off for cake and cookies yet! There are sugars that react in your body differently simple sugars such as table sugar, and refined flour are quickly absorbed and provide little nutrition. What happens next? Well these sugars quickly get absorbed into the body and then raise the blood sugar, shortly after glucose levels will drop again. Most people will grab for something sweet like candy or juice to bring sugars back up. This only creates a dangerous cycle! Sticking to whole fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and legume, and whole grain breads and pastas. For those that may not have trouble with glucose levels other things can happen. Cravings for sweets and carbs- this tends to happen because these sugary foods will satisfy hunger; however, does not give your body the nutritional content it needs to function right down to the cellular level, thus we start to have cravings! We then reach for one more chip, cookies, scoop of ice cream or even another piece of bread from the bread bowl when really we should be reaching for whole foods that provide the nutrients we need in their most natural form. This behavior is definitely dangerous thus look at the medical issues we have in our society.

My other project focused on milk, and the issues that it brings forth. I started with breastfeeding. The benefits of it and the controversy surrounding such a natural thing. If you have ever breastfed in a public place you probably know what I mean. As humans some try to set themselves above the rest of mammals however in rearing our young is not much different from what other mammals do, only to most it's 'cute' when cows, and goats do it, you get my drift. After breastfeeding, I went into more debates about milk, pasteurization, homogenization and raw milk. Again, I wont go into great details in this post about that either. I will say that even more evidence has shown me why food and farmers should be as separate as church and state. Sadly this is not the case!

Overall, my findings have drawn me to feel with complete conviction the idea of Biochemical individuality. Each person (or living being really) is different. We may all have to same organs, and basic chemical make-up. We are in fact different in as many ways as we are similar. What is good for one person may certainly may not be good for another! An example is one with lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy but an inability to properly digest milk sugar due to a lack of the enzyme necessary to do it, called lactase.

Overall I learned a lot of scientific details of milk and sugars, there are as many types as there are people to consume them. Unfortunately not always for the best. Still take yourself into consideration when choosing foods. Eat at least 80% of your foods for nutritional content and the rest for fun and the taste. Be aware of what your body is telling you after you eat meals and snacks, if you listen you may find some hidden energy you didn't know you had. Food is fuel, which gives life.

****Please note that you should consult a medical professional before making drastic changes to your dietary habits.

Pinewood Derby!

2009-03-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

We had a great time with the Pinewood Derby! My tiger cub scouts worked so hard on their cars and the race was a great time. Nikolas' car is the one on the far right, the black and grey one, he wanted a 'bat car' but we didn't find the right decals for him.

This past Thursday night was the Tiger Cub Pinewood Derby! Ariana was so excited to make her own car to race in the sibling race. I am so proud of her, because even though she did not place in the races, she loved her car and the hard work she did on it and just had a good time.

Here's Nikolas getting his award. He got third place for the Tigers. He also didn't care that he was 3rd out of 5, just that he got an award. Actually all the kids got an award or certificate of some sort just for participating. I was proud of all of my Tigers for all the hard work they put into all of their cars! It's great to see 6-7 yr old have so much pride in what they accomplished!

Ever Feel like this????

2009-02-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

I just finished writing a research paper on sugar, and one on milk. My brain is fried completely. I was trying to catch up on email and this was in my inbox. This would have made life easier the past few weeks. Under the desk is 4 cats and a mini bike so I can exercise while typing. The kids are finally outside playing! Yup I am tired... I sure miss you all my blogging friends.

Brain Food

2009-02-23T19:06:00.001-08:00

I have been SO busy with my studies that I just haven't really had much time for cooking. I am working hard to finish up my current class (Macronutrients) this week. Lunch was a hodgepodge of veggies with a yogurt dressing, oranges, crackers and hummus and a leftover stuffed Pepper. (the recipe came from Tosca Reno's Eat clean diet cookbook) It was quite good and could have been a meal on it's own.(but I had to share) It's got brown rice, corn, sweet potato, onion, garlic and tomatoes. YUMMY... I sure hope to get back to regular blogging soon...

Uninvited visitor to the B and B

2009-02-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was finishing up my workout, something on the back porch caught my eye! I couldn't believe that this little raccoon was on my back porch staring right at my kitty that was just below me looking out the back door. As the 5 of us were just looking and laughing he just sat there letting me take photos of him.

There is no way that sucker was going to get in my hot tub. (no water in it right now anyway) We were a bit concerned that he was just traveling around in the middle of the day. He didn't look very healthy. We tried to call animal control who told us that they only do dogs... Gee thanks! We saw him go into the neighbors shed and haven't seem him since, which is OK with me. I love wildlife, in the wild and behaving like they should. Not when they are contemplating my kitty being their lunch. I guess he heard how good it is visiting here......

Journey Through the World Of Books

2009-02-11T05:22:00.001-08:00

The Journey through the world of books was the theme of an exciting program called PARP (parents as reading partners) sponsored by our school PTA. I had the pleasure of being the chairperson for the planning committee (it was a committee of two, see how important I was?) For two weeks the children were encouraged to read nightly with their parents, tales and stories from around the world and log their reading into their passports. The last night proved to be fun and rewarding for all and we were so pleased with the participation of parents, students and teachers alike. We had three guest readers, the one pictured here a retired teacher dressed up, and read stories about the Inuit people, you can see that she was sitting near her student built igloo of recycled milk cartons! The children were enthralled with the tales. We also had our principle dressed as a penguin reading stories about penguins and Arctic living, and a princess from England with her castle and fables from her land.

Two crafts were very popular among the children, above are Ariana and Nikolas getting started on their drums from Africa. It was the first stop on their journey. (each family was given a passport with write ups on the activities that night and a schedule of their events to break everyone up into smaller groups) The children really enjoyed finding the flags for each country and rotating to the next activity.

This is a shot of all the drums that the kids made. The just looked so cool all drying on the table.

The kids then tried their hands at Tinikling, from the Philippines. The learned the origination and how it came about. It was originally done with reeds with thorns and was a punishment, today it is very popular and has become a competitive choreographed sport. I was so pleased that there was so much laughter coming from the kids and parents...

They also played a game from Australia called Down, Down, Down, a throwing and catching game.

One of the most favorite activities of all was making the Ojo's de dio's AKA God's eyes. I remember making these in Girl Scouts as a kid but really didn't know there was a history behind them. "In Mexico, The central eye was made when a child was born. Each year, a bit of yarn was added until the child turned five at which point the Ojo was complete. In Bolivia, "God's Eyes" were made to be placed on an altar so that the gods could watch over the praying people and protect them. "

All in all it was a great and busy night. We had prizes at the end in the form of a drawing and certificates of participation and completion for those that earned it. What a great experience it was to be part of the planning and see how much joy it brought to so many people.

Breathing a Sigh Of Relief!!!

2009-02-05T11:03:00.001-08:00

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming... Nikolas and I just came back from the allergist, with exception for dust mites and a very very small reaction to cats and dogs (which the doctor said not to even worry about, except that he 'shouldn't' sleep with the cats) Nikolas is food allergy FREE!!! wahoooooo!!!

Be it the regulation of his diet for the past month with probiotics or a false positive for now we are in the clear for food allergies and I am relieved that I can feed the child more than just milk, chocolate and vegetables!

On a great note, Nikolas and I got a few things done and got to go out and have a mommy and son lunch together just the two of us. We indulged ourselves with hot chocolate (which we rarely do) and had a chance to laugh and talk...

Can't even share how relieved I feel.... now I have no regrets about buying the Dyson a few months ago either... lots of vacuuming in my future!!!

Gotta love those tiny baby hats!

2009-01-31T16:23:00.000-08:00

So I needed a quick baby shower gift, so I made a quick search for baby patterns on Ravelry and found these cute little gems and I just love them. It was amazing because they are so darn cute and tiny, and I guess I forgot just how tiny they are.... I sure hope that someone near me will have a baby really soon, I would love to snuggle a little baby! Oh and nothing like having a great excuse to knit up some adorable baby items!!

Detoxification and clean eating

2009-01-22T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have had several people recently ask me about detoxification/cleansing lately and I figured that I would sit down and write a few words about it here instead of writing people individually. First before I say anything else PLEASE PLEASE do not start any detox program if you are unsure of your health status!! So please don't take this post as any medical advise for I am NOT a physican or liscenced medical provider. I am a student of nutrition and I do believe that you can have a toxic overload.

For example, if you must have caffiene everyday, smoke cigarettes or have cravings and withdrawl symptoms, you are probably toxic of those substances be wary of what they are doing to your health. Even processed sugar and flour have these effects.

Moving forward. How are we exposed to toxins? One way is from the environment we breath in exhaust, industrial waste, mold, pollin, dust, smoke and others, We are exposed through the medicines we use and from the food we eat. It is hard to avoid environmental pollutants as we have to live and breathe the air around us. We can take care in where we go to spend our time outdoors, and we can control how much we contribute to environmental polution (another whole post, yes?)

What we can control is what we actually eat and put in our mouths food, medicine and supplements. For example, I was looking at supplements some supplements (generally the cheaper ones but not always) had more sugars and food dies than the substance for which they are labeled to be. Do we really need to take certain medicines? I some instances yes, in many no. Medicines have their place, but I have seen too many that think it is imperative if they go to a doctor for any reason that they should leave with a prescription, this is not always the case.

The best thing that you can do to AVOID becoming toxic is choose foods that are unprocessed, whole and organic whenever possible and don't forget to wash your produce as well. **** Many local farmers are not certified organic as it is an expensive process many cannot afford; however, if you talk to them they will usually be direct with you. Processed foods are a large source of food additives that have not yet been tested for their long term effects. Use caution when buying and eating these products. Other ways is to avoid things like smoking, and second hand smoke and going outside for exercise in industrial areas.

Some small things you can do to assist your body to get into and stay in good health: -choose whole grain flours over white processed and bleached flours. -choose juicing your own fruits and vegetables instead of store bought -make your own bread crumbs (you would think that bread crumbs were straightforward, alas some have more junk then they do crumbs) -avoid excessive or all amounts of alcohol -choose sparkling juices over soda -avoid artificial sweetners and refined sugar -drink lots of water and avoid drinks high in colorings, additives, sugars etc. -bake or broil your foods instead of frying

Our bodies have a natural detoxification system however most of our organs are overloaded. Just exercising can help release toxins from our body through sweat, do you exercise? A sauna is great too. These toxins enter (and hopefully exit) our bodies through our lungs, skin, liver and kidneys. How are you treating yours? There is a myriad of things you can do, cut out foods that are hard to digest for a bit such as dairy, wheat, and meat, eat natural foods such as fruits and veggies (even more you can juice them or blend them into smoothies) for a few days, see how you feel. Sometimes eliminating foods that cause you to feel sluggish and without energy is all you need.

If you really want to detox (and are in relatively good health), start small, perhaps a day of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, it will give your body a break and most likely you will feel better for it. Do remember that whatever you do it is important to keep hydrated so your body will continue to function properly. A vegetable juicer removes the pulp and allows the nutrients to be quickly absorbed into your body quicker. I would recommend doing as much reading as possible, there are many recipes for detox, and I will say it again. If you are unsure of what to do consult a professional for guidance and have support.

There are some really great books that talk about detox, two of my favorites are The New Detox Diet by Elson Haas MD and Natural Detoxification by Jacqueline Krohn MD and Frances Taylor MS. In my own experience it is better to start detox with natural easy to digest foods than with other items that you can purchase for cleansing. I will recall that most religous and spiritual people use fasting as a means to clarity, and other things such as giving up meat or other foods generally speaking these rituals are cleansing to the body. When the body is overloaded it can not keep up with all the work it has to do. Remember that healthy digestion starts in a relaxed atmosphere and chewing your food well.

****Foods high in pesticides: apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears and grapes(imported), bell peppers, celery, spinach, lettuce and potatoes (these are sometimes referred to as 'The dirty dozen')

Food lowest in pesicides:onions, avacados, corn(sweet), asparagus, peas(sweet), cabbage, brocolli, pinneapple, mangos, kiwi, bananas, and papaya

Peanut/Soy allergy and more

2009-01-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

It looks like our family is about to embark a new and different nutritional journey. My cutie pie Nikolas recently had blood work done and unless the test was completely inaccurate it seems he has some definite food and environmental allergies. Dust Mites being the 'high score' has got me busy washing, cleaning and scrubbing in a different mode than usual. It is easier to say that he is not allergic to 5 molds, kentucky bluegrass, dairy and chocolate than to say what he is allergic/sensitive to. Pretty much everything else tested to have at least a small reaction. YIKES... Peanuts was second to the dust mites and the poor child is going to go into shock when I remove his peanut butter.(already searching for an alternative nut butter)

Until we have further information, I would love for you all to share any and all resources that you might have so that I can go into the allergist 'armed' with all the information I can shove into my brain in the next two weeks. My preference is to improve this through nutrition and keeping the house extra clean (even the dusty basement)Perhaps until he goes back to the Dr. I will do my best to keep food logs and such and document how his rash is doing to also bring it to his appointment. Yes I am proactive and will not let any stones go unturned. Especially if there is something that Iwe can do about it.

Weightloss is it choice or chance?

2009-01-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

Playing this weight loss/maintenance game is quite a roller coaster right now. It's been harder than ever to feel successful and see the success on the scale, in the gym and just inside me. Most days what I put in my mouth is entirely by choice, I choose it and I reap the effects of my choices good or bad. I choose to go the gym, hop on the yoga mat, or strap on the running shoes and hit the pavement. I choose what I buy at the store or farmers market (which is non-existent right now) how I cook it and how much I eat.

Is it really that easy? Some days yes, it really is that easy. Then some days, less than others, it is not. I was on a great road to healing, inside and out, doing well and came across a snag in the road. I had lost 12 lbs and was feeling more physically able to move like I want to be able to move.(so darn close to goal again) Then came a dreaded doctors appointment, a prescription, and at first a 4 lb gain, then a 5 and quite truthfully who knows today... The medications are known to cause weight gain, and I debated not taking it, however I was fully convinced by a few that the doc wouldn't prescribe if it wasn't necessary.. UGH the pressure. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I did Not scarf down over 20,000 additional calories to cause the scale to go booming in the wrong direction, it's so defeating.

So now I continue to exercise (6 days last week) and will not give up. Today I leave it to chance what will happen now. I can't stand feeling bloated, chubby and out of control but I do. A weeks worth of sensible food is planned for on paper. I continue to eat healthy whole foods, exercise and plan plan plan... this is choice. The rest I leave up to chance, as I see despite the discouragement of choosing the right things and chance taking control. It feels completely crummy but I dredge on... for today. What more can I do?

Yaktrax and my icy snow shoveling

2009-01-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Several months ago I had written a post here. In light of finally getting back to my running and a brief question to other runners out there about what they do in the winter months when the roads are icy and packed with snow.

Shortly after posting, I got an email from a marketing person for the yaktrax company asking if they sent me a pair of yaktrax would I be willing to post a review on my blog. Well I agreed, and received the pictured yaktrax, along with some socks and other gear. These yaktrax have so patiently waited in the drawer until just the proper snowy moment so I could strap them onto my shoes.

We had an icy snow storm of sorts last night and being as I had to clean up my driveway of all the heavy and icy snow that had accumulated on it. I strapped on the yaktrax and off I went.

First off, the yaktrax were easy to strap onto my winter boots. Please note that these are not meant for wood floors, and no I didn't damage my floors. I was able to strap them on standing up in our entrance/porch type thing. I knew that there was some ice on the front concrete stairs in front of our house; however, with the yaktrax I was able to walk without worry as the grip was great. It wasn't until I got all the snow off the stairs that I was able to see just how much ice was on there. Ditto for the entire driveway and sidewalk (yup, I am so lucky to live in a neighborhood that has them) The snow was heavy and I was able to get good traction with my legs and feet without slipping.

I was able to trot (as I am slow anyway) on the ice without worrying about slipping, although my neighbors much think I am a complete nut job, I continued to test out the abilities of these little spring like grippers. I am confident that if I got myself out there for a real run, I would most definitely be much safer than if I ran in my shoes alone. I was hoping to go at least up and down the street; however after pushing and pulling lifting all that icy snow from my driveway I think I have had my workout for the day. (except maybe a little bowling on the wii with the kids)

I would recommend these for any sole that spends much time in ice and snow in the winter, if you are walking your dog, shoveling the driveway, or training for your next big (or little) race.

Spoof Videos

2009-01-05T05:56:00.000-08:00

On the Corn Growers Association HFCS commercials Here's the guys from the king Corn Documentary..... Here is what the commericals SHOULD be like on TV! Just couldn't resist

Nutrition and more for the New Year

2009-01-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

2008 is now in the past, and it was definitely a big year in terms of nutrition actually in terms of so much. Late summer of 2007 we made a cross country move, it was tough, it was stressful and well I can say that I just did not want to do it! 2008 was our first year in this new(very old) house, starting over one mored time. It's exhausting emotionally and physically.

The biggest part of my journey began in 2004, I have learned so much grown so much and somehow I always seem to land on my feet no matter how painful it may seem at the time. On the other hand as the old adage goes "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger", on the inside I have the biggest muscles on this side of the continent.

My journey started slowly, mostly by just learning to drink water. I look back and wonder how in the world I could have possibly lost all that weight with what I was eating. Much less and better than before. It's just that looking back it is too funny to me. The biggest thing I have learned is that it is about the journey, there will never be perfection unless I can airbrush myself to the outside world and to myself. Impossible, I am sorry to say.

The truth is I believe today that beauty shines from the inside. Good health, confidence and contentment (I don't say happy because we can't be 'happy' every minute of the day) and being content and at peace with who I am is much better for me. This has taken much work over the past few years, a lot of letting go and soul searching. Am I there ALL the time now, no, I am however there much more than before.

I am out of excuses of why I 'can not' get to my goals, I have to just continue on the journey. It's about making choices and making the right ones. Where does nutrition have to come into all of this. Well it does, for me I can say most things lead to it. I have a stomach ache, it's probably something I ate or didn't eat, headache same thing. Tired, not enough water and perhaps not enough sleep. All in all, I know that I feel better from the inside when I eat better.

How do I know what to eat? Honestly, I keep reading learning and experimenting (with my own body) 4.5 years ago, I didn't even know what hunger felt like. I couldn't stop eating when I was full because I didn't recognize the feeling as full. Some days it felt impossible to trust myself that I was not going to starve to death if I stopped eating or waited to eat. Today I know when I am hungry, I know when I am thirsty and I know when I am lonely. Today it is about a choice I make.

Once I began school in June. I was exposed to even more 'diets' than I thought possible. I have read most diet books on the market from Susan Powter (remember her) to Atkins (funny for a vegetarian), Richard Simmons, French Woman don't get fat, South Beach, Mcdougall and much more. I have experimented with vegan, raw, omnivorous (not recently) etc. What I realize about most of these is that they are all very hard to keep up with long term. All of these plans have positive and negative points; however, I still have interest in what the authors/founders have to say about each one, because I can take positive aspects of each and incorporate them into my lifestyle. Raw food is great for me, but if I miserable trying to eat it all the time, I know I will not shine. Just like anything else, I have to follow my intuition and do what feels good in my own body.

The journey of learning about me, is what it is all about. I have no expectations of myself except to learn what feels good to me and offer to nourish myself and my family in that way. My food choices are different then they were 4 years ago, and even 1 year ago, and they will probably be different this time next year. 2009 is my year to have complete postitive choices, try new recipes, and begin fresh and new. Nothing more nothing less. I strive to be healthier and more energetic this time next year.

A very important aspect along with nutrition for me is exercise. Really they go hand in hand. The muscles store and utilize energy (from food/calories) better with use. So balance is the key. Not to much and not to little. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring and what new things will come into my life.

Tuesday Treasures

2008-12-30T06:05:00.000-08:00

My Treasures From This Holiday Season

This is our fisher price Hanukkah set. Florida Grandma got it for the kids when Zach(12) was quite young. We bring it out each year and no matter how big the kids get they love to play with it, the gifts really open the fridge and stove do to, and when you press on the menorah the magic happens and it lights up and plays the dreidel song.

Here Ariana is lighting the candles on the 7Th night of Hanukkah. Nikolas so seriously lights the candles on the last night of Hanukkah. He is proud to be able to do this as this was the first year we let him light the candles by himself. He is such a big boy! Ariana loves her new webkin, she named him Freedom.

I have never seen a 7 yr old SO excited to get books on the last night of Hanukkah!

The Menorah always looks so beautiful to me on the last night, I love when all the candles are lit. The kids are so proud that they are able to say the prayers and light the candles without much help. They truly are my treasures!

*note our goofy wind up dreidel in the photo. It's such a silly thing but the kids want it out each year!

Some Thoughts for Today

2008-12-29T04:17:00.000-08:00

Last night Brian and I watched a movie Peaceful Warrior, based on the book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Based on a true story it was an uplifting movie, about an arrogant young gymnast that learned to live in moment and enjoy the journey. Of course then I started thinking. ( I do that quite often)

I woke up thinking about how this all relates in my life, and it most certainly does especially in the past few years. For one reaching goal weight, when I got there I was excited that moment on the scale, then what? When I train for a race, what happens when I get over the excitement of finishing it? The training, the healthy eating, the preparation, is really what it is all about, not only achieving the goal. The health benefit is in the getting to the goal not the number on the scale or the time it took me to finish one race. The process is what brings good health.

Of course it is great to achieve goals; however, I need to really put perspective there and be prepared, what's next. I have to set more goals beyond to not allow myself to reach that state of "Oh no" what am I going to do next! Let down with no where to do, is a sure trigger for failure. The tricky part is not focusing on that, but what I must do today, and being right here right now.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in what seems so important and must get done. Laundry and dishes and grocery shopping. Yes, it must be done. I just hope that I can get beyond that thinking and thinking about it all the time, plan better so that when I am not doing everyday tasks I can enjoy what I am doing. I have to say that over the past week, I have enjoyed my youngest child's birthday and then Hanukkah with my family. It was really nice to not pressure myself to do anything much. I played games with the kids, put together paper star wars models with my youngest, and just spent general time really relaxing. I have felt good and seems I have even managed to get more done. How does that work? Not really sure. Perhaps, the fact that I just didn't stress over what I should be doing. Amazing how that all works out.

Last night I cooked a great meal for my family and we enjoyed chatting and eating. My husband had to go back to work today, which is a bummer and I have lots of things to work on. I have finished up all my knitting projects and need to start another one. This time of the year I can't stand to not have one going. I had some deadlines of projects for gifts and then I finished up my felted yoga mat bag (which I still need to felt).

I have a huge stack of books to get to, plus I need to study. I find that having a plan for what I am going to do when, really helps. If it is all scheduled out it all gets done without too much worry and I hope to enjoy what I am doing when I am doing it.

Seems a simple task, sometimes just not as simple as it seems.

Flashback Friday

2008-12-26T15:50:00.001-08:00

Last year at this time, Ariana was missing her two front teeth. It is a milestone for me with my kids. I think when those two upper front teeth grow in the kids get a more grown up look. This December Nikolas is missing his two front teeth. My baby is now in his more 'grown up stage'. I love my children and I am excited to see them grown and learn and also sometimes morning for my precious babies and toddlers. They have grown so fast!

Tuesday Treasures

2008-12-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

Taking photos of the kids together is never easy. This one cracks me up because they rarely act like this(especially for photos), which is why I like this photo so much. It was nice at least for this moment they were goofing off and being nice to each other instead of....

Piles of Latkes.....

2008-12-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Bring Miles of smiles..... Nikolas couldn't wait to eat his latkes tonight!!!

Happy Hanukkah to all my friends that celebrate. Zach is reading the prayers, Ariana lit the candles and then Nikolas lit the electric menorah in the front window.

Mourning the burial of my cucumber patch....

2008-12-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, I took this photo of the kids outside on the deck, with only sweaters on. It was chilly but we were not freezing by any means. Then last weekend we get an ice storm, followed by days without power and being cold. Yesterday the snow came fast and furious. Schools were dismissed early, workers left and whatever ground was not still covered in white was certainly going to be. Including my beautiful cucumber patch. I morn the loss of my small little garden and can not wait until the sun returns so I can being a growing again. When I stepped outside this morning this is what I came out to on my front steps. The snow was up to the top of my boots (calf height) yikes.... This is my hubby's car, buried in the white stuff. No fun to clear off but finally after shoveling the back deck and the driveway we even had to clean it off too. The one thing that I can say is Nikolas LOVES the snow. We have to force him to go out the rest of the year, but when the snow comes he is out in it. He was outside today (temps in the teens) for two hours before deciding that enough is enough. He burrowed his way into the snow, in several places. You would think that we had a snow mole in our yard. I am SO glad that he likes to play outside in the snow. I love to watch how excited he gets. Helps me get through it. Still looking forward to more yummy cucumbers next year..... seems so far away!

Flashback Friday

2008-12-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

This is the first time for me to post a photo for flashback Friday. I came across this photo going through old disks of photos while snowed in today. What an eye opener. I laughed so hard remembering trying on my 'old' pants and realizing that another person could fit in there with me. After making a joke about it. Zach actually did climb in there with me. He was maybe 7 in the photo. How funny.... I hope that he always fits in those pants with me! I never want to fit in them myself!

The New Year is Coming!

2008-12-18T05:55:00.000-08:00

I started thinking this morning after reading a post on Kristin's Raw here about New Year's Resolutions. She is having a give away and to enter you have to answer the question 'What are your New Year's Resolutions?'

For many years, I would set that resolution, like so many others to lose weight, to be healthy, you know the drill. Many of you have been there yourselves. After awhile I finally decided that I wasn't even going to set any New Year's Resolution, mostly because I failed miserably year after year. It only brought on lack of desire and confidence from being disappointed in myself for not achieving my goals. Eventually, I did achieve these goals but they really didn't have anything to do with New Year's Resolutions. About 5 years ago, I just decided that I would set small realistic goals for myself throughout the whole year. Weight loss goals, fitness goals, family goals you name it. All written in a little journal, dated when I achieved the goal. (if it was the sort you can pin point a date) You can only imagine my excitement when I could sit with my legs crossed for the first time in 10 yrs! Sounds trite I know, however, it was a really big deal to me. My list looked something like this:

cross my legs when sitting in a chair
be able to put my water bottle between my legs when driving (at the time no cup holders in the car)
climb a rock wall (I WAS terrified of heights, now only a bit queasy)
learn to swim (with my face in the water)
be able to buy clothes in a store that isn't for 'plus' sizes
run a half marathon
do a triathlon

That's just a few, and as you can see some goals are bigger than others; however, my confidence has increased tenfold not matter the size of my goals. I have achieved all of these goals except the last. I debated not writing it, then decided that I would because despite all odds someday I will do a little triathlon.

I continue all the time to add to this list, to make adjustments where needed and not be so ridgid with myself. I sit as I am typing cold but still drinking my green smoothie for breakfast. Why because another small goal I set for myself. As the weather started getting colder, I found myself not drinking them. Also, I found myself more tired and less goal oriented, letting things go. So my goal is to drink it anyway, even if I have to chase it with a hot cup of tea.

Even though I set goals all year long, and allow myself the flexability to change them as needed I am going to set some goals for this coming year. Here they are:

I am going to continue to persue my MS in Holistic Nutrition, despite how much I am challenged to get the work done and adjust my schedule. I have proven to myself that I can learn (despite my age) and do really well in school. I hope to make good strides in getting closer to graduation this year.
I am going to continue to exercise and challenge myself to reach new levels of fitness, including adding yoga on a regular basis, even if it means doing it alone at home. Add weight training, and getting myself back on my bike (when the snow is gone) and back in the pool (which I haven't swam since I left WA)
I will continue to teach (mostly by example) the desire to live a healthy life, through foods and fitness to my children.
I will start to plan my first 'real' garden during the winter so that I will be ready when spring comes.

There you have it. I do think that these are all reasonable goals that I can achieve this year. I am going to be setting smaller goals to reach these bigger ones. I will come back to this next year and see where I stand.

What are your goals for yourself next year? Please share I would love to hear about them....

Feeling Really Grateful for Modern Life!

2008-12-14T17:09:00.000-08:00

This was an absolutely busy and crazy few days. I already posted briefly that we finally have power back on. Thursday night the weather started getting unpredictable. I was already a bit anxious about my oral review that I had. I also cancelled my cub scout meeting as I really didn't want any of my cubs and their families getting out in the bad weather. I had no idea what we were in for. I was happy to make it through my oral exam (which is over the phone, and grueling).The next morning we woke up and had no power. I assumed that the kids had no school because there was no answer at any of the district numbers. Brian had to go to work, and when he got there (to assure me that he was safe) he indeed called to let me know that there wasn't school and that he had made it safely to work. The kids were excited to be home for a long weekend. Little did they know what they were in for. When I got up and got outside to see what I needed to do in the driveway. Here was this HUGE branch lying across our driveway AND the neighbors as well. If Brian didn't go to work, his car would have been the crash pad for this very heavy 'branch' that fell at least 100 ft.

Despite no power the trees were actually beautiful. The branches looked like glass and crashed to the ground like it too.

With no power we moved blankets and mattress down near the fireplace. So grateful for a great neighbor that has an excess of wood and it kept up at least warmer than it was outside. After a cold night up stoking the fire Brian took a nap and Dasher was happy to cuddle up and make sure that his neck didn't get cold. That kitty is such a goof ball! We were fortunate that after a few days the power came back on just in time for us to celebrate our darling Nikolas' birthday. Happy Birthday Sweetie. My baby turned 7 today! My mother in law baked the cake and drove up with my brother in law (and a generator, arriving two hours before the power came back on). The next day my two sister' in law came over with our nieces. We got to celebrate Nikolas' birthday with lights and heat!!!!

During the outage, at least during the day I finished up two gifts for some special people in my kiddos lives...

Here's a close-up of the first one.

Then I started this second scarf. I am only about a quarter of the way done, once it got dark I couldn't see well enough to work on it. I will keep plugging away until I get it done, I hope in time!!!

Here's a close-up of this one. It's hard to tell but it's a ruffly type pattern. I really love it and want to make myself one with self-striping yarn. I think it will be really great!!! Ariana also asked me to teach her to knit, so I was excited to take the time to start to teach her a little too. I sure hope that she will continue to practice at it.

I hope that everyone is warm, dry and safe. I am so appreciate for heat and light, it is so easy to take advantage of things we have everyday!

The Power is Finally ON!!

2008-12-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Hurray... we finally have our power! I will write more on it later.. have few photos to share too.. never been SO cold in my house..Brrrrr.. The power went out shortly after I finished my oral review/exam for my class.. so excited I checked my grade a few minutes ago.. I finished my class with a 98! wahoooo!! Then I cleaned the fridge out.. yuck!more later

The Cost of Things...

2008-12-04T06:47:00.001-08:00

In the past few days, I have been catching up on blog reading, and of course that gets me to do a lot of thinking probably too much. I can't say exactly which post got my brain rolling first; however, those of you that know me, know once I get on a topic of thought I better get it out or it will consume me. So in order to be able to 'move on' here goes:

First I have to share this link: This is a post by a friend of mine at Studio J. The video she put on her blog has a powerful message. It blew me away. Go now. Watch and then come back here.

When I first started watching I thought... Why in the world did she put this video on here, but I kept watching because, I knew there had to be something to it and there was... if you have a daughter(or even a son) please watch. Really what is our society doing to us?

Then it led me to thinking about another blog post I read. Generally speaking I love this blog and read it regularly. So if you didn't read it, sorry I wont post it here. I mean no harm. Just have to share my own opinion as a person that is studying in the nutritional field(I am not at a mainstream school that teaches by the USDA guidelines). The writer of this blog posted a chart that she felt was appropriate MAX weight for individuals for their height. I was stunned, the writer was adament that medical charts we are used to using were basically wrong to have a range. Holy crap, her chart said that I should weigh no more than 112 lbs! for my 5' 5'' body. YIKES! I wont deny that I would like to weight less than I do now, but if my medical professional told me that I should weigh no more than that number, I would give up. (most people would get discouraged and hit the twinkie bar)For some maybe they can, for MOST they never will. Self esteem is more important than reaching number that low on a scale!

I feel that having a range, IS a better option as it is far better to weigh 150 at 5' 5'' than 265! From a professional standpoint, it is unrealistic to counsel a client/patient to this standard... hence I really started thinking after watching the video. Do we really expect EVERYONE to live to hollywood and the media's standards to be considered healthy(ie worthy). No offense, but many of those people are not healthy(even at 112lbs), they starve themselves and exercise obsessively to stay that way not to mention surgeries and all the other procedures they do to themselves. I wont say all celebreties, because perhaps there are some out there that are 'normally healthy'.

I know that I could run faster with less weight however, I really don't run to be fast, I run to clear my mind and exercise my heart. I accept this. My calling is not to be an elite runner, just a healthy one. I really hope that my daughter (or sons for that matter) or yours, do not ever feel they are not good enough because their body isn't that tiny. Truth be told we can not and will not all be that small no matter what we do, and for some it will be an obsession and become what the video link above depicts. I don't wish that wanting and pain on anyone. Life is too precious and a size 10 just isn't that big in the scheme of things. I absolutely despise this about our media, young teens are highyly affected by what they read and see.

Moving on:

With that off to my third thing. Promise its not near as deep or controversial, but still close to my heart. It's the cost of water... yes water.... I love that add (above)and they have another that says something to the effect of 'I dont need any fancy bottle and caps'.

Water bottles, they are all over the gym, they are everywhere. Water it's so important. It makes up 60 % of your body and without it, our bodies can not function, all the way down to the cellular level. (if the cells don't funtion, neither will you) so here's my point. Drink water AND be aware of how many times do you buy bottled water? Did you know that if you bought a reusable water bottle you could save as much as $1400 a year! Wow!!!

I know your next thought, but I refill the bottles until they are falling apart- well they fall apart because the plastic is breaking down, into your water! which means that you are drinking all the 'stuff' that they use to make the water bottles, at a cost to your body especially your liver, which is trying to keep your body free of toxins.

Here's a bit of info on plastic bottles with PET #1 copied from an article here: Polyethylene terephalate (PET or PETE) – Used in soft drink, juice, water, beer, mouthwash, peanut butter, salad dressing, detergent and cleaner containers. Leaches Antimony trioxide: workers exposed to antimony trioxide for long periods of time have exhibited respiratory and skin irritation; among female workers, increased incidence of menstrual problems and miscarriage; their children exhibited slower development in the first twelve months of life. The longer a liquid is left in such a container the greater the concentration of antimony released into the liquid.

I would never tell anyone to not use any plastics, but to educate yourself and make choices as to what you want. Never having any plastics would be really tough. Choose wisely. My husband called me today from work to tell me he finally understands why I choose to not reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave (along with my other plastic issues). He used a plastic knife at work to score an orange and peel it he said there was a black strip of stuff on the orange, first thought it was a worm, strangely enough it wasn't. It was the knife breaking down onto the orange. I can finally buy him some metal silverware for his lunches! Hurray! Yes, it may cost a bit more to have 'real' silverware in your lunch box, but in the long run I doubt it. Please consider reusable/washable bottles and containers to carry lunch and picnic foods. For water at home it is less expensive in the long run to put a filtration system in your house and even less to get a pur or brita filter to just fill your reusable bottles. It will decrease the landfills (please recycle) and even better why even recycle in the first place. In the matter of fact a gallon of Dasani would cost you about $8 a gallon. (This could vary depending on brand, price and location and these figured are based on $1.50 for a 20oz Dasani)We thought gas was expensive!

So I guess what I am saying is we really have to think of The true cost of things. Our emotional well being, our physical health, and our environment. What do we want for ourselves and our families now and in the future. Sometime the costs of things weighs far more than the effects on our checkbooks. Somethings are priceless we can not buy them nor replace them once they are damaged or gone. Make the best choices possible in every situation. I wish each one of you, good health and happiness.....

Namaste (the spirit in me, bows to you and respects the spirit in you)

PS. I am in a very thinking mood and yes I missed my yoga class today.

Feast Fit for a Vegetarian King!

2008-11-27T15:23:00.001-08:00

Wishing Everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I started cooking some of the food for today's meal yesterday. My very first time making cranberry sauce from scratch! It was much easier than I thought and so very good! Definitely a success with the family. The only thing that I didn't make from scratch was the tofurky... No one in my family has ever liked it before. Today, it only lasted about 2 minutes on the table and there is not one bit of it leftover for tomorrow. (sigh) These mashed potatoes were to die for! Hurray! I loaded them with chives and they were delicious. Of course they were the spuds that we dug up in October.... I hope you didn't miss out of this great sale from Zach's boy scout troop.... These taters are the best!!! Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete to me without the corn pudding. I replaced the white sugar with sucanat, it worked out great and the corn pudding was delicious!

This was a brand new recipe to me. I took it right off the cover of vegetarian times! It was loaded with mushrooms, red peppers(the ones I didn't eat while cooking) and believe it or not I put mushrooms in it too! pretty good... I also made stuffing(although it wasn't stuffed into anything) made with whole grain bread, apples, walnuts, some seasonings and fresh apple juice. I forgot to upload a photo sorry... No Thanksgiving is complete without dessert, this one was great...apple crisp made with apples (of course) oats, spelt flour, a bit of butter and sucanat.. This was fabulous. I haven't had any dessert in a LONG time, but I justified it being that I went to the gym and did an hour and half aerobics class this morning! Our Y does it every year, admission is non-perishable food item... What a killer workout... Ariana gives dinner the thumbs up!!! Dasher is enjoying the fire today, the first time we have lit it this season! Boys will be boys! What more can I say.... may not want to enlarge this photo ;) No Thanksgiving is complete without turkey, so here's ours. Ariana made it at school and he is cute and patriotic, no antibiotics, hormones and well he's free range too!!

Vegetables In The Winter?!?!

2008-11-18T05:01:00.000-08:00

When I first moved to upstate NY from WA State, it was such a change in terms of buying produce. Since we arrived in August, the shock wasn't so apparent until the winter months. My favorite produce/farm stand closed down in December. That's when reality set in. What am I going to eat???

This is when I really started focusing on learning even more about nutrition. Hence the addition of this ol' mom going back to school. I digress. I started learning that sometimes us Americans have gotten so far away from nature, that even in our eating patterns we have really done ourselves a disservice. What do I mean?

Aside from the fact that many of our very own children don't have a clue about where food comes from besides Price Chopper/Albertsons/Safeway, some children are even mortified by the fact that their food grew in the dirt, and maybe even had bugs on it(Vitamin B-12- another post). How did we get to this point? It is just too easy to go into the store and pick up the first box with pretty writing that says 'All Natural' if it was truly all natural would it be in a box? So many people say, I can't afford to buy vegetables right now. Why? We are programed that we are supposed to eat salad EVERY day to be healthy, truth be known that spinach doesn't grow in upstate NY in the winter. So What do I do? Of course out of season vegetables are going to be more expensive when they are out of season. Ever tried to buy a watermelon in February? Not only is it expensive but it is not tasty, nor did it retain it's nutrients for the thousands of miles it's traveled. So why buy it?

Winter has its own vegetables that grow, harvest season by nature is in October! This is when SO many of our fabulous winter vegetables are ready to be eaten. Nature is an amazing thing and we should all spend more time thinking about how much we have deviated from this and how to get back to it. It's amazing because, I went to visit a local farm a few weeks ago and stocked up so now in my basement (used to be known as a root cellar because that is where all root veggies were stored for the winter) I have spaghetti squash, delicata squash, acorn squash butternut squash and about 70 lbs of fresh local grown spuds! This is where most of my winter meals will come from! When bought in season these vegetables are cheap and are in their best nutritious state! Ever bought a pumpkin in May? Of course not, this is because you can't get them. This is the thought process we should have for MOST veggies. Sadly most of us don't.

I have to admit that I have struggled with this myself. More last winter than I will this one. It doesn't mean that I wont miss my cucumbers, it will mean I will love them that much more next summer. I can't say that I will never eat them all winter. I will spend more time focusing on what's available and in season, knowing that all my favorites are coming back next year and they will taste even better.

The reason that winter vegetables and fruits cycle is amazing. In the summer when it's hot we need more water, we do not necessarily drink all we need, so nature has provided us with high water content foods like watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes and berries. In the winter when we need warmth, although the media would disagree, we would naturally need more insulation hence heavier foods that may even put a few pounds on us. This is a natural process for humans that goes way back. We didn't used to gain weight from Christmas cookies so please don't get confused with that. This winter, try to stick to warming soups and chilli's that use produce in season or closer to it. Not only will your health notice but so will your checkbook. If you must splurge once in awhile do it, but just remember it is not your only option.

Changing our thinking is hard, however, we can do this in a slow process and be successful in it. The rewards will be there, in every way. I am looking forward to sharing more great winter recipes with all of you! We can eat our veggies in the winter. Fruits too.

PS: I am practically living off of apples right now, I can't even express how grateful I am to be living in a such a place that is so full of delicious apples!! Yummy!!

It's Finally Here...

2008-11-17T05:22:00.001-08:00

The recipe and review of the Black Bean Burger! I am thrilled to be able to kick one more processed food off my grocery list, with the successful making of this black bean burger recipe. I have been eating the Morning Star Farms ones, much less than I used to, but keeping them around for days when I need a quick meal. No more, I am planning on making a large batch of these to freeze for busy days. Really they were so easy to make and all the ingredients were things I keep in the house. I only had to make my bread crumbs....

This recipe is from Veganomicon Isa Chandra Moskowitz of The Post Punk Kitchen.
Are you ready??

Black Bean Burgers

2 Cups cooked Black beans or 15 oz can drained and rinsed
1/2 cup vital Wheat Gluten
1/2 plain whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tsp chile powder (or more if you like more spice, I will add more next time)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup water
1 T tomato paste (or ketchup)
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro (optional, I did not use it)
2 cloves of garlic (or all the garlic you own)
1/2 small onion
@ 2 tablespoons olive oil plus olive oil spray (I did not use spray, I had no problems browning on both sides)
Whole Wheat Buns ( I made mine from Tam's Best Yet Whole Wheat Bread)

Mash the beans in a mixing bowl, don't puree them just mash till no whole beans were left. ( I still left a few and mashing will help the burgers stay together) Add Wheat Gluten, Bread Crumbs, chile Powder, cumin, water, and tomato paste (cilantro if using) don't mix yet... use a micro plane grater of garlic press and add garlic, do the same with onion, I actually just finely diced the onion. Mix together with a fork, then proceed to knead until the mixture is completely mixed and firm.

Preheat skillet with oil. Divide mixture into six balls and proceed to cook, a few at a time as you need to really flatten them out so they will cook all the way through. Press with a spatula while cooking, turn to brown both sides. The patties will be firm when finished.
Enjoy!

I suppose that you could really get creative with the seasoning, of these burgers and season any style you liked. They were simple to make and we just added some veggies and fruit and had a complete meal.

I would love to know what you all think.

Veganomicon is quickly become my favorite cookbook. I have only had it for a few weeks now. I had a 40% off coupon for borders and I am so glad that I brought it home. I have tried 3 or 4 recipes from it all a success so far, eaten by the whole family. Nothing is better than a meal that passes by all 5 of us!

* Just a hint I use when cooking, I will make notes in my cookbooks after making a recipe for the first time, what I would like to do to make the recipe better, tastier, mistakes I made etc. I really helps. Sometimes I will just write Dud.... if we didn't like it at all.