Getting the Fake out of the Food

I'm reading this stuff on MSG and artificial food colors and artificial food flavoring. It's a bit scary what we put into our bodies. MSG literally KILLS YOUR BRAIN cells. I didn't know that until yesterday. At least this might help me rid myself of my desire for sour patch kids and starbursts.

I am starting the challenge below, but accelerating the removal of excitotoxins, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. I 'officially' start on Sunday of next week (hey we have 2 birthdays in our house this week and I don't believe in setting myself for certain failure).

I must say thank you thank you thank you to my mom for not giving us those sugary and colorful cereals (I still don't eat them) and for watching what we ate based on what she knew.

Learn more about the 6 week challenge, MSG, and other things from this mom who changed her families diet to help with adhd/add but had other great side effects! http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/the-6-week-challenge/

I jump started yesterday by doing a pantry purge with a little purge of the fridge.  See the pics below of the stuff I sent off to the food pantry (in the carry bag) and the stuff being sent straight to the garbage.  

Anyone else want in? We can live longer and better together.

More than a Month!

Life gets crazy sometimes. The past month has been 3 dimensional world busy!  My husband and I went to Spain for a week (Que bueno!) and though he worked most of it, I had a great vacation by myself and with him. 

After getting back the realities of having a toddler and a tween really hit home.

I even had to take a break from FaceBook (except real work stuff) and have barely had a chance to write about anything.

School issues and education have taken top priority and they continue to keep me dancing.  I have even had to tell my spiritual helpers that if I am to do what I was put here to do, I need some help. 

I am not going to vent or rant just suffice it to say that this mom IS going to get through the next couple of months between tween drama, potty training, lack of daycare options, and educational testing it's all going to be a roller coaster of a ride into 2014 so if you don't hear from me again for another month, know I am trying my best to keep a happy, healthy, well-adjusted family while maintaining my sanity, spiritual compass, and purpose.

In the meantime I am also continuing to develop myself spiritually - the other thing keeping me busy and just started a class last night which I am super excited about.  As a Certified Reiki Master Healer, I am also offering free Reiki through a general distance healing list. Check out my Adored website or my Adored facebook page for more information.

The Case of the Midlife Crisis (Or So They Call It)

The Case of the Midlife Crisis

I have been listening for years to people speaking of this midlife crisis.  Usually in regards to a middle aged man getting a new sporty car.  I have an opinion about this and I feel like sharing it.

So here goes…

Why is it a mid life crisis when life goes as follows for most men (and women)?

Teens – You aren’t getting that fancy car unless you are the child of someone really rich (can a kid really handle all that power?)

Twenties – You have a boatload of debt and you just started your career. By the end of your 20s you may be looking to marry, buy your first home, or start your family. Can’t afford that sporty car and with a kid on the way, it’s not even practical at this point.

Thirties – Yeah you are making a bit more money but remember those kids?  Carseats, booster seats, and kid legs and kid messes aren’t a match for that sporty ride now.  Guess you just have to wait a bit more.

Forties – OMG you are getting closer.  College debt is down, you’re in your prime earning years, you’ve been saving for your kids’ college and now they don’t have to go everywhere you go.  The main family car is probably close to paid off and you may even have real date nights again with your oldest as the sitter.

Wait for it.

Wait for it.

Your going on 50 and you want what?  You want a sports car? What’s wrong with you? It’s so impractical! So Immature! 

So…. 

Right on Time!!!!   When ELSE are YOU going to get have this danged car?  In your grave?  I mean come on.  

When is it better to drive a car with so much power?  No better time than when you have the maturity to handle the power and the discipline to be in control.

My husband and I are behind the 8 ball on the timeline (He’s 48 and we have a toddler).  But I am looking forward to my husband’s ‘so called mid-life crisis’.  I’ll be riding right beside him. 

So You Work from Home...

Remember what you thought of working from home before you started? Whether you transitioned from your office job to doing that work from home, or started consulting, or a new business venture, you probably had ideas I had like walking around in your PJs, getting housework and errands  done between work, and of course being there for your kids.

When I started working from home my daughter was 5 and went to school - perfect situation for working from home part-time.  Unbeatable in my book.

I soon realized that my plans of working from home part-time and balancing my baby weren't going to happen like I thought.  Never were those days working happily with the baby on my lap and me on my computer - both of us smiling joyfully.

I realized as my maternity leave was ending that I would have to get someone to come and help while I got work done like conference calls and meetings.  (My son has never been calm and quiet, the sit down type, or even the watch something on TV type).

It's been interesting working from home with a little one for over a year now.  I have definitely blown away a bunch of my own ideas of working from home - especially those images of a sweet baby sitting on your knee as you happily pound out work on your laptop.  Both of you blissfully unaware that at any moment those happy little baby fingers would hit the enter button while you are chatting with a client or the power button, proud of their dexterity, and end your work session. (It's one reason my image is what it is)

So how do you remain efficient, effective, and productive while working from home with a baby, toddler, or young child?  I would love other work from  home moms to comment on how they balance working from home.  If you haven't already, please take my survey (see sidebar).

WAHM Survey - I want to hear from you hard working mamas!

Please take a moment to answer these 10 questions about working from home as a mom. I will give a summary once the survey closes.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

The Two Minute MOMent (and a little chocolate)

After grocery shopping this morning I pulled into the driveway with my delicious fruit and nut candy bar.  My son was happily in the backseat munching on a snack of cheese crackers so I did it... I took a two minute Moment!

I put the car in park, reached beside me where I put the purple package in the passenger seat, and slowly pulled open the top.  Heaven awaited.  I broke off a square and placed it on my tongue, then another, and another.  Once I'd finished two rows, enjoying the silence, the cool air conditioning, and the taste of sweet chocolate, I was good.

I unbuckled myself and got out the car, closed the gate to keep my dangerdar son from escaping, and let him out the car while I toted groceries.

It's the brief moments that can feel so good sometimes.

Do You Work Inside the Home or Outside the Home?

Years ago I was going through a local Junior League class to become a new member and at the President’s home at our graduation celebration another member asked a question that I have reflected on again and again over the past six years.  She asked if I worked inside the home or outside the home.



At the time I was working a full time job outside the home, but I considered that I was also working inside the home.  It wasn't either/or, but AND.

 

She worked inside the home full-time.  At the time I had never been a full-time SAHM, homemaker, housewife, or even a WAHM.  I didn't really have much choice but to return to my full-time job after my 12 weeks of maternity leave ended after my daughter was born.

 

With my second, nearly a decade later, things had changed.  I had a profession and was working part-time from home doing challenging and interesting work, mostly while my daughter was at school.  The occasional evening meeting wasn't bad and she could even tag along at times.  I had become a WAHM.

 

With a new baby, I dropped down to very part-time work before putting it to the side in December.  What I have learned is that there are upsides and downsides to all the choices we make for our families and ourselves and one solution is just one solution and there is certainly no one size fits all.   I have also learned that is isn't in my nature to solely do home-making. For me there is something fulfilling about having a project, completing it, and seeing the results of your work; being able to return to it, look at it, learn from it, and continue growing.  I also appreciate a neat house, clean clothes, and home-cooked meals.  Some other women may feel the same way about doing these tasks and be completely fulfilled in that, and I am so happy for them.  We are all different.  Those differences should not be ways to separate and divide us, creating unnecessary divisions between women based on our choices.

 

I know women across the spectrum, all of us working hard, whether inside, outside, or both.

 

I don't think either is easier than the other- especially if you are home with young children or working a job that is intense and demanding.  Both add value to our society, when done well.

 

But we do our best, trying to balance our lives and all of its intersections, as women have always done and I am sure will continue to do.

I am currently a full-time SAHM and working part-time on my business.  I have ventured into new territory and am allowing myself the room and freedom

6 Hours Sleep is a Luxury

Before having my first child, I was a real sleeper.  Eight or 9 hours a night was pretty much the norm.  After my daughter, I eased into a routine of about 7 hours a night and as she got older, even got 8 hours some nights.

I started working from home when she was in Kindergarten and easily managed the balance of part-time work while she was in school; with the flexibility of being home with her afterschool.

I learned that starting my own business so I could really have freedom as a WAHM (work at home mom/work from home mom) meant longer days. I don't regret it at all.  I do have the freedom and flexibility I longed for and can make my own schedule and manage my time and my family.  It also means that I am responsible for everything - from product selection, production, marketing, sales, logistics, communications -  you name it...I do it.



So now, when I can get 6 hours a night of steady sleep, it feels like a luxury.  I have learned that I can live on less sleep. Ha... even if it kills me earlier. Yeah, I know not getting enough sleep takes years off your life.  But, I think I'd rather have the time while I am young, healthy, and able to really use it.  At least, that's what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.

 

Define Yourself by Your Own Truths

When we define ourselves

by what delights us,

feeds our spirits,

and fuels our passions

we find the truth

of who we are,

by finding truth

in who we are