Archive for July, 2009

Funky Ruts & Holes

July 17th, 2009

Happy Friday Everyone!!

I’m guest blogging at my friend Ash’s site today. She’s off on a super cool adventure and I’m keeping her blog moving in her absence. I’m not posting in both places, but it’s worth mentioning in both blogs so…

The subject at hand is being in a rut or funk.
You know… that down mood that we get in and it seems like no amount of positive thinking can pull us out of it. I know for myself and many other people, moods such as this can last an entire week or longer sometimes.

Read More Here!!!

And have an AWESOME weekend!!!

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What are You Eating?

July 15th, 2009

local produce (166 x 250)Are you feeding your family the most nutritious food available? Are you getting the best food for your buck?

During the summer months, produce is harvested fresh and sold locally at road side stands and farmers markets all over the country. During these months, I do my best to buy any produce I don’t already grow, from local farmers.

Buying local produce is not only better for your health, it’s better for the environment. They’re Green Greens!! HA!

People were originally intended to eat locally. Your body reaches a certain balance that thrives in your local area. You become immune to the viruses and bugs. Don’t believe me? Ever hear, “If you go to Mexico, don’t drink the water”?

Your body finds more nutritional value in your local produce because it comes from an area in which you reside, but also because it doesn’t lose it’s nutrient content while it’s traveling in questionable refrigeration across the country or even across oceans.

Being that the produce hits the stand usually a day after it’s harvested, it’s got peak nutritional value. Being that it doesn’t have to be packaged, shipped, driven, stocked and sold, you also will see a reduction in price.

So, it’s better for your body, your wallet, your local community, and your planet. How can you go wrong?!
Eat green greens!

Here are 2 VERY awesome links to help you and your family start eating better locally!

LocalHarvest.org is a site that will tell you what produce is available in your community. I was SHOCKED at what’s readily available in MY area. There’s so much more than I ever knew.

EatWild.com is a site that will tell you where there are farms in your local area where you can purchase beef, pork, and chicken that is raised locally, lives free range, is grass fed, is antibiotic and hormone free and is humainly killed.

Childhood obesity is being linked in part to the growth hormones injected into mass produced cattle. By buying locally, you’re supporting your local farmers AND you’re now one less family supporting the inhuman treatment and slaughter of animals. As long as it’s in demand, it will be mass produced.

Do yourself, your family, your community and your world a favor and buy locally raised food whenever you can!

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Impulsive Summer Fun!

July 14th, 2009

Summer is in it’s peak! Summer vacation is halfway over. The temperatures are rising and if you’re home with your kids like I am, you’re probably looking for things to do to keep them busy. Busy children are happier children and busy children have MUCH happier mothers!!

I love that my boys are older now. They require a lot less immediate supervision. I like to carry a book. Then if I stop at the park on impulse, I have something to relax and amuse me while they burn off their excess energy.

But speaking of doing things on impulse… we do that a lot around here. The boys will be restless and bored and I will just suddenly say, “Okay, let’s go!” and we hop in the van and go wherever we end up. After we ended up somewhere wishing we’d planned better a few times, I created my “Impulse Kit”. Now I get it together when the kids get out of school and I keep it in my van. We rarely need anything that’s not in this VERY simple kit.

Here it is!

One towel. I have 2 boys with me usually. Two towels is too much of a sacrifice for my bathroom.

Towel

Never know when there might be swimming!

One blanket. I carry a sheet.

Cover up with it, sit on it, cover dry seats!

Cover up with it, sit on it, cover dry seats!

One folding chair.

ALWAYS comes in handy!

ALWAYS comes in handy!

One sun umbrella.

So inexpensive & SO much healthier than sunblock!

So inexpensive & SO much healthier than sunblock!

Seriously, I think mine was $10 and I had to buy the extra plastic ground screw for like, $8 but it was worth it. It screws into dirt or gravel or sand. This umbrella is shade for ANYWHERE!

Easy to carry and assemble.

Easy to carry and assemble.

The plastic screw fits right on the bottom.

The plastic screw fits right on the bottom.


One melt proof snack for everybody.
Granola Bars

Three plastic grocery bags.
Plastic Bags (256 x 192)

One first aid kit. Mine is only 4 bandages, a small squirt bottle of peroxide and a washcloth.
First Aid (256 x 192)

One box of baby wipes.
Wipes (256 x 192)

Two writing/drawing tablets.
Notebooks (256 x 192)

With this “Impulse Kit” in my van, I feel free to stop anywhere because whatever we encounter, we have what we need. We like to stop at the creek, beach, park and for ice cream through the summer during the day. Carrying these things in my van sure beats the heck out of stopping to plan and pack before we go.

I’m just a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl. I still plan, I just plan on my impulsiveness and plan in advance :D

A quick note: I used to carry bottles of water in my van because you never know when someone will REALLY need a drink. I don’t do that or suggest it anymore. When plastic bottle get warm, they release toxic chemicals into the water inside. Then you drink the chemical laced water. Not good! These chemicals have been linked to serious hormone imbalances just to name ONE!

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