The Vision Board- It's done!!!

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?

Welcome to my son Nikolas to the blogging world!

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!

Mom of a Teenager!!!!

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!

Journey Through the World Of Books

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.

Mourning the burial of my cucumber patch....

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!

Fort Ticonderoga... Cub Scout Trip

We went to Ft Ticonderoga today. It was amazing on the cliff at the edge of the fort. The cannons went on forever. It was almost unbelievable. The only wildlife we saw all day! He looked like a chenille stem (aka pipe cleaner) Some of the flags flying over the fort walls... Inside the fort, there was a lot of memorabilia inside each of the buildings. Nikolas LOVED climbing on all the canons.

Zach and Nikolas are helping to make a mud mortar with hay to help build a chimney for the bunk house. It was a replica of authentic buildings used during the revolutionary war. Called soldiers huts, 6 men, 4 beds, 2 soldiers were always on watch through the night. Here Ariana learns about dipping bees wax candles over an open fire. Nikolas loved the forge. We were there for a LONG time. The men were very helpful and the kids really enjoyed watching them mold bullets and lead balls for the bullets. Plus some tools. Here's some beautiful fall scenery, this is off the cliff/wall of the fort. It's hard to believe that so many battles were fought here and that it was ever a war ground. Some more fall scenery, it was just beautiful today. I had a really hard time deciding which photos to upload. It was great to have a trip for Nikolas as he has waited SO long for the trip/function to be for him and his troop!

A Challenge To Myself

In the past few weeks I have been trying to get myself back on a schedule, time for family, time for self, including a more rigorous exercise schedule, and some crafting.. Really the blog should be called Cook, Study and Dream of Being Crafty! Ha... My blog address is fitncrafty, another ha fit!

One thing I am doing is beefing up my fitness program. I had a goal before leaving WA and moving the NY that I wanted to do a triathlon before turning 40, and unless cooking, cleaning and studying fit the bill, I missed out on that goal. I miss the training group I had in WA and have found no such group here. (please don't get the idea that I should start one, I am clueless about how to train for one) Perhaps that will still come in time. Maybe with increased training I will still finish that triatholon.

Another thing is to finish my produce bags (sewing) that I have been so slowly working on. I am almost there, at least with the gift ones. Then I just have to make a few for myself. Also, on the crafty side I am knitting yoga mat bag (that will be felted). I am not loving the color combo that is going on and I am afraid that I am going to have to FROG it (rip it out) bummer, what's a girl to? I can't see felting this beautiful yarn(brown sheep) and not liking it.. too much investment here.

The truth is I am avoiding reviewing my notes for my conference with my instructor tonight. Imagine that, I just really want to be done with that class (you know the research one that you all helped me do the nutrition study for) Research methods is just not my favorite topic.

So my challenge to myself is. Making it through my review tonight, finish my sewing and knitting, and run, and then run some more. Without neglecting my yoga practice and weights. I would like to force myself back into the pool to do some swimming (gotta get new goggles my current ones are leaking) I will report back on how things are going. I am hoping to feel accomplished with some things really soon!

How about you all, what are you challenging yourself to accomplish???

You Really Are What You Eat!

I was gearing up for my next class, thinking about food(of course) and started wondering, how many of us actually know 'why' we eat. I mean, sure we are hungry, but isn't there much more to the whole process of eating then just we are hungry? To some we eat because we are sad, lonely, bored, upset, happy, and/or celebrating. Really where does all this get us? Usually it leads to obesity, undernutrition, overnutrition, tired, bored, guilty and the list goes on. How(as a society) do we begin to slow ourselves down. Find some gratitude for the bountiful foods in which we are blessed.

Whole foods are an amazing gift, directly from nature(G-d, the universe) or whatever you may call it in your personal life. I have been reveling in my cucumbers and the amazing power of their creation everyday. Each time I get poked by the plants runner, or the cucumber itself. I can't believe what an amazing canopy the leaves give the fruit and the little 'prickers' really do protect the plant so well. The design is amazing, sometimes you really have to work to find a cuke even though you just saw it yesterday! (perhaps the neighbor ran off with it)

Really we are supposed to eat for nutrition, health and to maintain vitality/energy. What is energy? Well it's a calorie! So when people are talking about cutting calories, they are talking about cutting out energy, do they have enough energy stored(in their fat cells) to afford cutting out energy and is the energy/calories we are eating quality. Too bad it is just not that simple, yes eat, and get calories, however, our bodies need a myriad of different nutrients to function and stay healthy thus a wide variety of foods. Also, our bodies, lose energy and health if we eat the wrong things and in our society it is just beyond easy to do. Every corner has a junk food restaurant, or a convenience store. Don't be deceived by your local health food store, some of the food in there isn't good for you either.

Our best bet is to eat most(not all) of our diets from whole food sources. I am referring to as close to it's natural state as possible! Orange Ice Pops don't count as a fruit! So where do you get this fruit from? Personally, I like the local farm stands and farmers market for most of my produce. I like to talk to the farmer, and know how they grow their food. Trust me, if you have not tried to eat local, in season produce you are in for such a treat! Do you think that cavemen ate strawberries in the dead of winter? No of course not. I know it is impossible to eat entirely from local sources if you live in some places that farming is not available, however we can preserve local grown produce by canning, drying and freezing. (and no I don't do it all myself, yet!) Each season I am learning new things. This year I stepped outside of growing herbs and grew tomatoes and cucumbers, next year I will conquer a much bigger garden!

I love to ask children where their food comes from! Most children say the grocery store, if you ask were does the grocery store get it, most will say from the delivery truck~ What does this say about our society? It is really time to slow down, do we really have to be running with our family everyday of the week? With a family with 3 children we are busy, however, we make a strong point to cook a healthy, homemade meal from scratch most nights! (Not just when we have guests).

I have personally been making a strong effort to get in my fruit and vegetable servings every day... I have been serving my kids (and myself) fresh juice and smoothies (no sugar or additives here) everyday. I love that my daughter (8yrs) is begging me to make her green smoothies (yes there is fruit in them)for dessert!!!!

The nutrients in our food is the basis of good health, slow aging, and energy to help us keep up with this busy world. I am thinking more and more not just about eating, but about eating foods that are nourishing to me, and not depleting to my body and to my family as well. (OK I have no control over the husband) I am setting an example for my family and friends, of desire to live healthy and free of chronic disease, with enough energy to be creative and productive in my life. Are you?

Waste Free Lunches and Their Nutritional Benefit

With the kids heading back to school tomorrow I have to jump in and talk a bit about this subject. A few days ago, I made a trip to BJ's to get a few things, and all around me are these parents buying mass quantities of prepackaged processed foods. Carts were flowing over with 100 calorie packs, fruit in little cups, pudding in little cups, juice boxes, little frozen PB & J sandwiches and even little cut up apples in individual bags(oh why do people think they need this).

Then there was my cart, whole grain pretzels, cat litter, cat food, and a ton of produce. I feel compelled to buy things in the largest container possible to save on waste.

Back to lunches. At my kids school, even the trays are disposable! I find this mortifying. We used to have washable trays and silverware. Now for the sake of 'saving' money we are filling landfills everyday with Styrofoam and plastic.

Most of the lunches brought to school are filled with processed junk. (does anyone read a label anymore?) What do we really save when we fill our kids lunchbox with all this stuff. It may be easy to reach into the pantry and shove a bunch of this stuff into a lunchbox, (or brown paper bag, yikes!) zip it up and hurry out the door. Then we fill the garbage cans at school with little bags and containers (some of which could be recycled, if it were available).

Two weeks after school starts, parents are rushing to get Doctors appointments because little johnny has caught a cold, from someone at school. If we give our children foods that boost immunity, like fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy whole grain breads with real foods on their sandwiches, lots of fresh water, well our kids would be so much more healthy and resistant to these virus'.

It is not that difficult to cut up carrots, celery and the like in advance. it is easy these days to find lunchboxes that have containers that neatly fit together. The laptop lunchbox, pictured above, is what I have used for years. It seemed expensive at first, however, this is the third year that I have used them. So I have to say, I have more than made up my initial investment. Not to mention that it is a great way to portion too! There are many other systems like this now, for the health of the earth and for the health of my children I will continue to use these lunch systems for the benefit of all. I hope you will too!

Too many parents say, well johnny wont eat that. Well he wont allow himself to starve either. So if he is hungry he will eat! Even when kids aren't used to whole foods, they can still start to eat them and like them, if offered to them on a regular basis! Yes, even your kids! I saw a great BBC/ Discovery show, about just this topic, hosted by Dr Oz. and his research showed that a child needs to try something at least 30 times! How many of us do that? I do it more now, and I even try things myself from time to time (still I don't care for mushrooms) however, I will do it if I expect my children to do it!

I pack my kids lunches each day, it only takes about 5 minutes. They get sandwiches on whole grain bread, leftovers, cut up fresh fruit and veggies and sometimes crackers. However this year that might change since I have some great healthy cookie recipes! I know lunches can be hard, and busy mornings stressful, but with anything else, I feel I must make health a priority. My kids don't visit the doctor much, only when they have a required physical(or break an arm) We save on medical costs, time and hope to live long healthy lives.

I consider these imperative to my daily life. There is nothing more important than nutrition for the whole family. Save the Earth and the Children!

The Newest Blogger In Town!!!!!!

I just wanted to share Ariana my 8 yr old daughter decided to start a blog. ( Imagine that!) She is always asking to read my blog and to help take photos for my blog. She wrote her first post on having her Aunt here to visit. You can read it here. I am sure that she would love the encouragement.

This is NO tea Party!!!!

This is the closest thing we have to a tea party when Aunt Denise comes to town! They are reading Diary of a Whimpy Kid!

She's Here!!!!

Hello from NY! I got Denise riding on the plasma cars! They are a lot of fun.. you can see that Scott and David are having fun in the background too!! I can't believe that she's here!!!!! Here's Denise admiring my neighbors garden! Again right in front of my neighbors house. Doesn't she look great for someone that had been traveling all day with 3 kids??? Here's a few of the kids playing Dance, Dance revolution... We had a great simple and healthy dinner..... Everyone had grilled chicken(but me I had a black bean burger) the most juiciest corn on the cob ever, grilled onion, grilled yams and grilled red potatoes, and grapes....yummy! We thought there was a lot of food but I have to say there wasn't much left when all is said and done! Then we sat in the hot tub! yeah! It's been so hot we haven't really wanted to, but now the weather has been cooling off it was great to sit in there tonight. Tomorrow we are going to the children's museum I am looking forward to it. It is really nice and I am sure that they kids will have a great time. Be on the lookout for more photos!!!!

Tooting Her Own Horn.... I mean Cast!

Well here is Ariana being her usual jokester self! Her cast is off, and now it's a horn, planter(yes she wants to put seeds in it to grow in our yard!) and the best one a whacker! She is VERY happy to have the cast off, even though her skin is dry and her arm is stiff. She still(since yesterday) hasn't extended it or bent it beyond the angle it was in the cast, however she is slowly getting mobility! She really has been a trooper. This has sure been an experience for all of us. Ariana is happy and is working hard to get the kinks out. Her goal is to have mobility before her cousins come! She wants to take them swimming at the lake!

She Got It!!

Well here it is.... Ariana got her Hot Pink cast! This photo makes her arm look huge! The cast is also waterproof! She is very excited about that. Unfortunately, insurance doesn't cover that, but we gladly paid the extra to make bathing especially easy. Covering up her temporary cast with plastic to bathe her was really hard! She will also be able to swim in clear water. no lakes. You can see the tip of her little brothers head as he really loves to be in every photo I take!

Ariana is doing pretty well. She had a hard time with itching earlier though. It really bothered her to feel so itchy and not be able to scratch it.

I also wanted to say that I sure appreciate all the support that everyone has shown. It sure has made it easier for Ariana. Thanks so much!

Sad part of the Weekend

We were up at the Adirondacks this weekend. I celebrated my 40Th birthday!(that's not really the sad part). However, my beautiful Ariana took a fall and broke her arm! Poor little thing. She is really being a trooper considering all she's been through. We have been able to keep her pain to a minimum. Although as a mom, it is so hard to see her going through this. It really stinks for her in the middle of the summer, she loves to swim and play in the water. I am sure that as she is feeling better we will find other fun things to do. She is already learning how to do so much with her left hand (yup, she's a righty) and I am so proud of her for being so brave and learning to do these things. Usually, with a smile on her face. She will still have to go to the orthopedic doctor, and get the real cast put on. The saddest part of her not having the real cast is that this temporary one is just so darn heavy. It's been hard to get her dressed and such. I just hope in 20 yrs, I will remember my 40Th birthday not with the usual black balloons, but with the strong spirit of my little girl, that always inspires me. It's hard to not feel sad right now, but I know still I am blessed that she is going to be just fine!