So the countdown continues. I have two weeks left here in PCB and I am feeling crazy! What am I doing? Not only is my hubs leaving for a year, but I am moving across the country (2900 miles), starting a job, putting my kids in daycare, and going to be living in a town with little to no military connection. Have I completely lost my mind? I think more than anything my biggest fear is working again. I've been a stay at home mom since W was born. Well, I worked but he went with me until we moved. I've never put either kid in daycare. W is in preschool but leaving him and B with someone else for 8 hours everyday makes me so sad. I desperately need the break, but I'm going to miss my babies. The daycare I set up is awesome though. They are willing to work with my schedule and my dietary requirements. They serve locally grow produce for snacks and lunches are pretty healthy too from the sounds of it. It's going to be a huge transition for all of us.
Leaving my friends here is going to be hard too. No one else gets me besides diver wives. Even other military wives can't fully comprehend what it's like being married to a diver. We diver wives are a special breed. :)
And so it goes. Better get back to packing boxes.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Artifical Food Coloring
So as some of you know, I have wild children. :-) I love them with all their crazy, independent tendencies, but it would be SO nice to have them calm down just a bit. After a few very long days (and a few tears shed) I have started opening up the possibilities that maybe their craziness is not "just who they are". I am a normal mom so therefore I make excuses for my children's behavior at times. Anyways, I came across some interesting information that I thought may help.
We all know that snack foods and artificial ingredients are not healthy or beneficial, but what we don't always consider is that they may actually be detrimental to our health and our children's well being. Studies have suggested artificial food colorings, mainly Red 40, contribute to brain excitement in children and in those children with ADHD symptoms, it may actually create outbursts and exacerbate behavioral problems. Here's one interesting link. So I did a little digging into what Red 40 actually is. The chemistry behind Red 40 is pretty simple. They take petroleum products, refine it, create the azo bond through nitrogen bonding, and ta-da: Red 40.
Red 40 is everywhere it seems. It is the #1 food dye used in the US and just recently, the EU (the European version of the FDA) has begun banning certain food dyes due to their health impacts. However, here in the US, big money is to be made off health problems so nothing is ever done unless enough people make a big enough fuss. But I digress...
So, now I have my afternoon cut out for me. I will be on a quest for every food item in my house with artificial food dyes and getting rid of it. Can you tell I'm getting desperate for an answer to the behavior problems? I just hope I can get W's focus better before I fly completely off the deep end. Wish me luck!!!
We all know that snack foods and artificial ingredients are not healthy or beneficial, but what we don't always consider is that they may actually be detrimental to our health and our children's well being. Studies have suggested artificial food colorings, mainly Red 40, contribute to brain excitement in children and in those children with ADHD symptoms, it may actually create outbursts and exacerbate behavioral problems. Here's one interesting link. So I did a little digging into what Red 40 actually is. The chemistry behind Red 40 is pretty simple. They take petroleum products, refine it, create the azo bond through nitrogen bonding, and ta-da: Red 40.
Red 40 is everywhere it seems. It is the #1 food dye used in the US and just recently, the EU (the European version of the FDA) has begun banning certain food dyes due to their health impacts. However, here in the US, big money is to be made off health problems so nothing is ever done unless enough people make a big enough fuss. But I digress...
So, now I have my afternoon cut out for me. I will be on a quest for every food item in my house with artificial food dyes and getting rid of it. Can you tell I'm getting desperate for an answer to the behavior problems? I just hope I can get W's focus better before I fly completely off the deep end. Wish me luck!!!
Friday, February 10, 2012
6 weeks to go!
I was looking at the calendar today and I realized we have 6 weeks until we leave PCB (at least the kids and I). Depending on if I have a job waiting for me, I may stay or come back to help move out. This move is so bittersweet to me. While I have never felt like this area was "home" I have met some incredible women here that I am sad to leave.
I sat down with W today and read him a book about moving then told him we are moving to a new house close to Nana and Papa. Luckily my mom was able to send pictures of the house we will be living in and so I showed him the pictures, pointed out his new room and we talked about where all our furniture will go. We discussed that he will have a new school with lots of new friends to meet. His first question to me was "what are his friends names"? He couldn't be more excited to go. That's why Heavenly Father blessed me with him. He is a social bee just like his dad and makes all of this so much easier. We still haven't discussed the fact that daddy won't be there; kind of afraid of that conversation.
So here's to our new adventure and the final 6 weeks in PCB.
I sat down with W today and read him a book about moving then told him we are moving to a new house close to Nana and Papa. Luckily my mom was able to send pictures of the house we will be living in and so I showed him the pictures, pointed out his new room and we talked about where all our furniture will go. We discussed that he will have a new school with lots of new friends to meet. His first question to me was "what are his friends names"? He couldn't be more excited to go. That's why Heavenly Father blessed me with him. He is a social bee just like his dad and makes all of this so much easier. We still haven't discussed the fact that daddy won't be there; kind of afraid of that conversation.
So here's to our new adventure and the final 6 weeks in PCB.
 | ||
| W's first trip to the beach 12/2008 |
 |
| My loves now 1/2012 |
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Smoothies
This morning as I was making my smoothie, W asked if he could have some also. Of course I was excited because how else am I going to get him to eat greens. I poured him a glass and he drank it down and asked for more. Then he asked if we could have them again for breakfast tomorrow. Can't wait to whip up something good for him! As far as the ACV, I swear by it! I have never felt better. It stabilizes my blood sugar and has quenched every sugar craving that has come my way. Daily sodas were a horrible habit of mine and I kept stopping and starting and I swore this year I would stop drinking sodas. Didn't take me too long. I have soda in the house with absolutely no desire to drink it. We went out to dinner a few nights ago and I could barely finish the soda I ordered. One goal down, millions more to go! :)
So as I was cleaning and reading to B this morning a thought came to me that I feel inspired to share. Life's hardships should not be based upon difficulties that enter our lives, but rather the blessings that go from our lives. Considering my future circumstances, every time I think of how hard my day is, a good friend calls to get together or J walks in the door, blessings that make my life bearable. In a few months those things are going to be temporarily not possible. And before you think I am pitying myself, let me tell you, I am blessed beyond what I feel I have earned. I have two beautiful, healthy children, loving parents that have and will continue to drop everything to help me, and lifelong friendships that distance cannot tear apart. Yes, I may face incredible hardships in the next few months and following year, but life is actually coming together pretty awesomely. We have a great rental house, I have the kids preschool/daycare figured out, and I am cautiously optimistic about finding a job. Life is hard and requires constant work toward improvement, but if we stop recognizing the beauty of life, our purpose in life becomes questionable.
Love your life, love your family, love your friends. Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you. Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your commonsense. Never let your praying knees get lazy and love like crazy!
So as I was cleaning and reading to B this morning a thought came to me that I feel inspired to share. Life's hardships should not be based upon difficulties that enter our lives, but rather the blessings that go from our lives. Considering my future circumstances, every time I think of how hard my day is, a good friend calls to get together or J walks in the door, blessings that make my life bearable. In a few months those things are going to be temporarily not possible. And before you think I am pitying myself, let me tell you, I am blessed beyond what I feel I have earned. I have two beautiful, healthy children, loving parents that have and will continue to drop everything to help me, and lifelong friendships that distance cannot tear apart. Yes, I may face incredible hardships in the next few months and following year, but life is actually coming together pretty awesomely. We have a great rental house, I have the kids preschool/daycare figured out, and I am cautiously optimistic about finding a job. Life is hard and requires constant work toward improvement, but if we stop recognizing the beauty of life, our purpose in life becomes questionable.
Love your life, love your family, love your friends. Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you. Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your commonsense. Never let your praying knees get lazy and love like crazy!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Lies about fat
3 Big "fat" LIES about fat
by Jon Benson
author - EveryOtherDayDiet
Let me ask you a question:
If saturated fat causes heart disease,
don't you think that cultures that got...
oh, say... 60-70% of their calories from
saturated fat would be dropping dead?
I mean, wouldn't it stand to reason that
the vast majority would suffer clogged
arteries, massive heart attacks, strokes...
Right?
Sure. That would be the only logical
conclusion... IF saturated fat caused
heart disease.
Fortunately for you and me, it doesn't.
In fact, the cultures that eat the MOST
saturated fat (the Inuit, the Masai, the
Rendille, and others) have the LOWEST
incidence of heart disease.
The Masai do not even have a term for
it in their native language, and they
consume over 65% of their calories
from pure saturated fat.
Say whaaaat?
Listen: The "lower your fat" mantra has
just been a matter of convenience (and
profit) for the powers that be.
The grain industry has profited like a big
dog from the USRDA's ridiculous "food
pyramid" -- and "MyPlate" is not much
better, trust me.
The truth is you should lower your CARBS,
especially refined carbs, wheat, and corn...
and, yes, "healthy grains."
You don't need 'em -- at least you don't need
60-freaking-percent of your calories coming
from them, as the government suggests.
What you need is a healthy BALANCE.
Okay, here's the 3 big "fat" lies:
Lie # 1. "Fat causes heart disease."
If logic isn't enough, how about science?
Volek et al demonstrated how a LOW-fat
dietplan increased harmful fats in the
blood 300% more than a high, saturated
fat dietplan.
High-fat dietplans have consistently out-
performed low-fat dietplans when it comes
to increasing LDL particle size.
The size of your LDL is the key, not the
quantity of your LDL... and this is the one
thing everyone agrees causes plaque to
build in your arteries: Small-particle LDL.
If there is "a" cause of heart disease, it's
glycation. This is where a protein molecule
bonds to a glucose molecule and becomes
something akin to Frankenstein.
Glycated molecules are behind the nasty
accumulation of plaque... and guess what?
Sugar (carbs) is the catalyst for glycation,
NOT fat.
Lie #2. "Fat makes you fat."
This has been refuted in over 200 studies
that I could find at a 'glance', let alone in
real life. My dietary fat intake is well over
30%, and has been as high as 65% while
maintaining single-digit bodyfat.
Caution: With high fat dietplans, you must
lower your carbs to under 50-70 grams a day.
Lie #3. "Low-fat products are better for you."
90% of the time, this is blatantly false. Most
"low-fat" products that are, by nature, high
in fat, have added sugar -- and sugar is
the devil when it comes to health and bodyfat.
Now, naturally low-fat foods, like veggies
and so forth, are, of course, highly recommended
along with foods with naturally occurring fats.
Check this out here to see more LIES you've
been told about your food.
Here's to a prosperous and healthy 2012!
-Jon Dana Benson
by Jon Benson
author - EveryOtherDayDiet
Let me ask you a question:
If saturated fat causes heart disease,
don't you think that cultures that got...
oh, say... 60-70% of their calories from
saturated fat would be dropping dead?
I mean, wouldn't it stand to reason that
the vast majority would suffer clogged
arteries, massive heart attacks, strokes...
Right?
Sure. That would be the only logical
conclusion... IF saturated fat caused
heart disease.
Fortunately for you and me, it doesn't.
In fact, the cultures that eat the MOST
saturated fat (the Inuit, the Masai, the
Rendille, and others) have the LOWEST
incidence of heart disease.
The Masai do not even have a term for
it in their native language, and they
consume over 65% of their calories
from pure saturated fat.
Say whaaaat?
Listen: The "lower your fat" mantra has
just been a matter of convenience (and
profit) for the powers that be.
The grain industry has profited like a big
dog from the USRDA's ridiculous "food
pyramid" -- and "MyPlate" is not much
better, trust me.
The truth is you should lower your CARBS,
especially refined carbs, wheat, and corn...
and, yes, "healthy grains."
You don't need 'em -- at least you don't need
60-freaking-percent of your calories coming
from them, as the government suggests.
What you need is a healthy BALANCE.
Okay, here's the 3 big "fat" lies:
Lie # 1. "Fat causes heart disease."
If logic isn't enough, how about science?
Volek et al demonstrated how a LOW-fat
dietplan increased harmful fats in the
blood 300% more than a high, saturated
fat dietplan.
High-fat dietplans have consistently out-
performed low-fat dietplans when it comes
to increasing LDL particle size.
The size of your LDL is the key, not the
quantity of your LDL... and this is the one
thing everyone agrees causes plaque to
build in your arteries: Small-particle LDL.
If there is "a" cause of heart disease, it's
glycation. This is where a protein molecule
bonds to a glucose molecule and becomes
something akin to Frankenstein.
Glycated molecules are behind the nasty
accumulation of plaque... and guess what?
Sugar (carbs) is the catalyst for glycation,
NOT fat.
Lie #2. "Fat makes you fat."
This has been refuted in over 200 studies
that I could find at a 'glance', let alone in
real life. My dietary fat intake is well over
30%, and has been as high as 65% while
maintaining single-digit bodyfat.
Caution: With high fat dietplans, you must
lower your carbs to under 50-70 grams a day.
Lie #3. "Low-fat products are better for you."
90% of the time, this is blatantly false. Most
"low-fat" products that are, by nature, high
in fat, have added sugar -- and sugar is
the devil when it comes to health and bodyfat.
Now, naturally low-fat foods, like veggies
and so forth, are, of course, highly recommended
along with foods with naturally occurring fats.
Check this out here to see more LIES you've
been told about your food.
Here's to a prosperous and healthy 2012!
-Jon Dana Benson
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Here we go again!
First I want to apologize to every person that knows me. I swear my head has been in the clouds ever since B was born. Now with J leaving and us moving my head is now in outer space. I forget everything and I make plans last minute. To make matters worse, now I am becoming an emotional wreck and never know when an "episode" is going to hit. So, in an attempt to gather my wits I am on a new diet that is supposed to help with energy, sleep, and digestion. When all three of these systems are working, life seems better. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) diet and green smoothies. Bottoms Up!
The countdown to moving continues. We have about 8 weeks until we leave for Clarkston, WA. I'll be flying the kids up to hang with my parents while J and I pack and drive the 3000 miles in a U-haul. It's been 9 years since I lived there last and I swore I would never go back. Being a military wife, it's a strange feeling to know you are finally given an opportunity to go wherever you want to move instead of being told where to go. I battled over the decision but decided it would be best to go where I have 24/7 free daycare. My mom is thrilled to get to spend a year with her grandkids. My biggest concern is how to manage being infiltrated with family. Any advice?
The countdown to moving continues. We have about 8 weeks until we leave for Clarkston, WA. I'll be flying the kids up to hang with my parents while J and I pack and drive the 3000 miles in a U-haul. It's been 9 years since I lived there last and I swore I would never go back. Being a military wife, it's a strange feeling to know you are finally given an opportunity to go wherever you want to move instead of being told where to go. I battled over the decision but decided it would be best to go where I have 24/7 free daycare. My mom is thrilled to get to spend a year with her grandkids. My biggest concern is how to manage being infiltrated with family. Any advice?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Generation: Workaholic
I started a new term at school today (officially my last before I graduate) and I'm in this course called "Leisure and Culture". It's required. Anyway, so I thought I would hate this class and find it super boring but after reading my lectures for the week, I have a whole new developing outlook on life. We have become this society of people who don't work to live, we live to work and work to spend. It's not okay to just have the necessities, we have to buy useless crap to prove that we have money. We buy houses that are too big, cars that we can't afford to keep up the maintenance on, and toys we never enjoy. What's even worse is that we don't buy these things outright, we use our credit to buy the things we can't afford. Then, after we buy these extravagant luxuries, we work overtime to make our monthly payments, many times neglecting other aspects of our lives including family, religion, friends, etc. And after we have been heavily medicated due to the backbreaking work we performed our entire lives, we die; leaving behind our beautiful items to family that never really knew who we were.
Now don't get me wrong, I am completely guilty of this too. It's sad to look at it from this perspective though. Honestly, how many people in today's world can say they spend more time with their families (quality time, not multitasking time) than they do with work (that includes housework)? Being a stay at home mom you would think I could say that, but no. Most of my time is spent doing housework and schoolwork to prepare for a future career that will ultimately lead to less time with my family. Back in the 40s, it was expected that working Americans would only be required to devote 20 hrs/wk, or six months/year to paid employment. Instead of working less, we work about the same but commutes are longer, and less vacation time is taken due to the fear of losing our jobs. Of anyone reading this, how many of you used up all of your vacation time last year on actual relaxing time away from work, not sickness or other pressing matters? Not us! J had a 4 day liberty pass (kind of like a coupon), and used it to work on the Jeep project that still remains in our garage (it's not even ours). We are a generation of workaholics, unable to separate ourselves from our jobs and responsibilities, rarely allowing ourselves time to kick back and recharge.
Being a workaholic causes problems in all facets of our lives including personal health, marriage, family, etc. Our country has ridiculous divorce rates, horrible health, and a rising generation of neglected children. I'm not saying this is completely due to our need to work so we can spend, but they have been correlated. What would it be like in your life if you took one day a month or a week a year to do absolutely nothing but devote yourself to your spouse and children? Many religions use Sunday's as that day every week, including mine. In our house, we spend Sunday's together and make sure we do not do anything that would require someone else to be away from their family (like shopping or eating out). I definitely plan on going a step further and try to stay off the computer on Sundays. With school it'll be hard. But what's the point in working if you can't appreciate the benefits that come from it?
Now don't get me wrong, I am completely guilty of this too. It's sad to look at it from this perspective though. Honestly, how many people in today's world can say they spend more time with their families (quality time, not multitasking time) than they do with work (that includes housework)? Being a stay at home mom you would think I could say that, but no. Most of my time is spent doing housework and schoolwork to prepare for a future career that will ultimately lead to less time with my family. Back in the 40s, it was expected that working Americans would only be required to devote 20 hrs/wk, or six months/year to paid employment. Instead of working less, we work about the same but commutes are longer, and less vacation time is taken due to the fear of losing our jobs. Of anyone reading this, how many of you used up all of your vacation time last year on actual relaxing time away from work, not sickness or other pressing matters? Not us! J had a 4 day liberty pass (kind of like a coupon), and used it to work on the Jeep project that still remains in our garage (it's not even ours). We are a generation of workaholics, unable to separate ourselves from our jobs and responsibilities, rarely allowing ourselves time to kick back and recharge.
Being a workaholic causes problems in all facets of our lives including personal health, marriage, family, etc. Our country has ridiculous divorce rates, horrible health, and a rising generation of neglected children. I'm not saying this is completely due to our need to work so we can spend, but they have been correlated. What would it be like in your life if you took one day a month or a week a year to do absolutely nothing but devote yourself to your spouse and children? Many religions use Sunday's as that day every week, including mine. In our house, we spend Sunday's together and make sure we do not do anything that would require someone else to be away from their family (like shopping or eating out). I definitely plan on going a step further and try to stay off the computer on Sundays. With school it'll be hard. But what's the point in working if you can't appreciate the benefits that come from it?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)