The things we are willing to do for our kids

Yesterday was the first Tuesday of the month. Which meant that my favorite grocery store had 15% off your grocery bill. I have been going almost every Tuesday for over 5 years years now and it was much easier to go when it was a 5 minute walk away. Over the last year since we moved it has been more of a planned effort to get there. I was going with my youngest, but he his now out of the stroller and into school. I had a friend that I was going with and I would buy her something as well when we went as an expression of gratitude for helping me to get my groceries. Well, my friend had recently moved and over the last few months I have been going by bus (since I am not a licensed driver yet). Well, with that I get a lot of questions…”Why don’t you just do it on the weekend?”, “Why not have someone go with you?”, “Why do you still go?”, “There are closer grocery stores, why not go to them?”, “Why do you use the stroller?”….Okay the last one is a good question HA! And I am almost grateful for the last question so I don’t have to go through explaining the rest. But I will answer them here and then continue.

Years ago when I began my loyal patronage to this grocery store, the main reason why is because they had (and still have) a lot of the foods I am looking for. Years ago I had discovered my gluten-intolerance and at that time (and at my level of awareness) there were not many places offering gluten-free foods. They had the most selection, variety, and options available and I was overjoyed. Also, if I had a suggestion about a product to bring in, they would do it! To this day, I know they value my opinion and suggestions, because they act on it right away. I am particular to the one location and I know a lot of the staff by name. We have shared stories, struggles, tears, and laughter. It’s almost like a family. I could walk in with my pajamas on and I get greeted with smiles….that is very important to me. There are other stores that I can get some of the same things at, but being respected as a part of the store environment, I seldom get anywhere else in that magnitude.

Well, the journey to my grocery “home” was more of a struggle than I would have liked. I missed the bus….and then another….and then finally caught one with a grumpy bus driver who proceeded to ignore me and then snapped at me for trying to get his response. As he shared how his day was awful and how the training for bus drivers hasn’t really changed for over 20 years and doesn’t understand why I have a problem that I am bringing to him, I stopped and realized something….I turned and looked at the faces of the other riders, the drivers on the road, and reflected on all that I just went through to get on THIS bus… that a LOT of people were in a miserable state. It was going around….it ’tis the season! Well, I sought to be the difference for the moments while I was on the bus and had some good conversations. I was not going to be company for misery, regardless of the “fun” I had just been through. I knew at the end, I would accomplish my ultimate goal of getting my groceries and feeding my family for another month.

I made it to the grocery store later than I expected to and there were more people there than usual, which would mean that I would be late getting back…..but after the struggle it was to get there, I was definitely going to get all that I set to get and all would have to work out just fine in the end. As I stopped in the bulk section, there was a lady watching what I was doing. I will let you know this happens ALL the time. I stock up on raisins for the month, almonds, sunflower seeds, and buckwheat. It’s the amounts that people have questions about. We don’t really do packaged foods and my kids carry snack bags with goji berries, raisins, sunflower and pumpkin seeds to school each day, so it’s a staple. The lady who was watching me asked me what I use this all for and I shared how we prepare it and why we eat it. I love being a walking plug for health everywhere I go As I got to the line, another lady asked about the stroller. She asked if I walked here and I said I take the bus. In that she made a statement that stood out for me….she said “The things we will do for our kids.” And she was right. Why was I willing to go through all the challenges to get these particular items….so that my kids would have food that they can eat. That they don’t have to think that they are missing out while everyone has granola bars and yogurts, fruity treats, etc in their lunches and snacks and they have nothing “fun” because of their allergies. I AM WILLING to do what it takes with no shame, no regrets, to bring my kids joy, health, and peace of mind.

As I was on my way out, the same lady that made the statement about what I was willing to do for my kids, offered me a ride home. THANK YOU GOD!! I was now going to be ON TIME to be there to pick up my son from Kindergarten, and to meet my other obligations within the school as well. I got to share in conversation with a lovely lady who loved her kids deeply and through that conversation, I am also able to pay forward her kindness in a way that will bring encouragement to many more.

I have done a lot of things in my life that people have questioned “why?”, from dating and marrying my husband, to the foods that I choose to eat, to the way I interact with my children. They may not understand the “Why” right now, but many have come to see that if you look to the future in what you are doing, then the things that seem crazy now, can make a little more sense and be worth it to do for a brighter, happier, fruitful future.

Going for what you want!

“Good morning son!”
“What would you like for breakfast?”

“I want a banana!”

“We don’t have any bananas right now”

“You used some yesterday…”

“I know I baked a banana bread yesterday from frozen bananas, bit I don’t have any bananas left”

“We can buy some bananas.”

“Yes we can.”

“You haven’t bought bananas for a while Mom. How come? …Well, we can get some the next time we go to the store, right?”

…This was the dialogue with my 5 year old yesterday morning. It’s still in my head today. Why? It’s HUGE!! But before I go on about how awesome my child is like a lot of moms I know (and yes, their children are pretty cool people), let me break down the points that resonate with me.

First, I decided this morning to leave the question open instead of giving options. I had already cooked a pot of buckwheat and quinoa and had blueberries out in a bowl, but I was curious to see what choice he would come up with if I left him to decide. He chose a banana, but he has been persistent in asking for bananas in the last bit. It was obvious to me, even though there hadn’t been any in the house for weeks, that his desire was to have a banana.

Second point that stood out to me was that he pointed out that there were indeed bananas in use in our household and I was perhaps holding out on him. He had seen a banana the day before, so it meant there was a possibility for him to see it again. In his mind, it was an option for him to have.

And last but not least, not only did he present to me a solution to his “problem”, but he put in some accountability for me to buy some on our next grocery trip. LOVE IT! Of course, I am still laughing and smiling inside because I did give him the option to choose and he knows to come to me to help him to get what it is he wants. I am the one who buys the food in the house, so he suggested it to me to get some.

Now he gladly had for breakfast what was prepared, but I know that when we are at the grocery store, that he will be the first to remind me to get bananas.

Raw and unadulterated…Elimination Diet 3.0

What am I talking about???

Well, with the new release of the Dax Moy’s Elimination Diet 3.0 and also my current focus on eating more raw foods, I figured it was time to get on board with the current hype and be inspired and motivated to eat foods that are natural in state and lacking in processing.

SO why whole foods? They come with all the goodies you need to digest the food properly. Naturally occurring enzymes, fibre, minerals and other nutrients are packed into foods like fruits and vegetables, nut and seeds, legumes, and healthy oils such as virgin, cold-pressed olive and coconut oils.

Currently I have mung bean sprouts on the go and I soak chickpeas before I make my own hummus. Today is a grocery day and my focus will be on stocking our home with fresh foods, fish, bulk nuts and seeds as well as some alternative grains and legumes, and a few other items to make lunch and snacks for my kids a simple and healthy task.

Sticking to the heart of how food was designed for us to consume has made food preparation and meals in our household easy, requiring a whole lot less cooking and prep time and the kids can get creative with what they choose to eat, because it’s identifiable and doesn’t require tools and fire. Although I know that my sons love a good camp out, when we travel for our road trips, we get to enjoy having easy food on hand, which helps to maintain lots of energy to 2 active boys and added focus for me not having to worry about where our next meal is coming from and how healthy and beneficial it really is.

So find ways you can get back to basics with adding some raw fruits and veggies into your diet and sticking to unadulterated, pure, and whole foods that support a healthier diet and healthy lifestyle. And check out Dax Moy’s Elimination Diet 3.0 if you are ready for a great challenge and experience in improving your health and changing the way you see and eat your food.

There’s what on my lawn?

Well, I’m not going to post a pic of it, but I can tell you I learned a big lesson from it. It has been over a month of putting it off, but it was TIME to finally mow the lawn. It’s a job I leave up to my husband to do as I am allergic to grass cuttings in the air, but I was ready with a mask and military scarf to keep the cuttings out of my mouth and I was going to cut it….the lawn that is. I was a sunny day yesterday…perfect for getting the grass all freshly cut and after my failed attempts at starting the mower, I discovered it was out of fuel. So today, my husband cut the grass when he got home. As I arrived home, I could hear the sound of the mower going and I was excited to get to raking up the cuttings. I set to work immediately, but then took a quick pause to get the kids a snack and shove dinner in the oven. As I headed back out and continued at my work, I kept noting the fact that our lawn is lumpy. Loads of ant hills and clay clumps….and well…..

All I have to say, is I am glad that I didn’t step in it! It was fresh and huge! I stopped, sighed, checked the bottom of my shoes (hey, I have been stepping in lumps up to this point), and then got a big a shovel to scoop it up and dispose of it. When I got back to raking, I thought…”Well, we hadn’t mowed the lawn in AGES, so why not….can’t see it in the tall, overgrown grass.” How often do we get “crapped” on or step in “crap”, or go through “crap” and think it is completely random. I would have to say, if I wanted my “stuff” put anywhere I am not going to put it where it would be obvious (like on my neighbour’s well-manicured lawn)….it’s easier when it is hidden or even better still, along side a pile of the same “stuff”.

If we had cut our lawn and it was pretty and green and leaf-free, like our neighbours, would the pile have gotten left there? If we were taking care of what is ours and setting a standard of “no crap allowed” would it have been there? Maybe. But it’s harder to spot neglect in a pile of neglect. I didn’t see it! It was lumped among a pile of grass cuttings. Although I wasn’t expected the “stuff”, I was not surprised when I saw it…but it would have been easier to see it (and avoid it) if our lawn was maintained and it would’ve stood out, right on top. After almost stepping in it, I was more thoughtful to where I was putting my feet, more aware of my surroundings, more conscious of the steps I was taking. I was grateful for encountering the “stuff” to help me be more involved, and a part of what I had really sought out to do, which is to show some pride of ownership and take care of what I got. When things get left undone, it becomes mental clutter. And the more stuff you leave undone and incomplete, well it can feel like a pile of ….”stuff”. Staying clear in mind and remaining focused and active to the completion of whatever you set out to do, leaves room for more stuff to get done, and more room in your mind to apply the best of yourself to your tasks. And am I ever glad we finally finished cutting the lawn at the end of season and not hibernate with the thought of dealing with that “stuff” in the Spring…yummm!

“I love my hair” Sesame Street song gets our vote!

I was so encouraged this morning when I saw this Sesame street video about a young girl promoting her curly ‘fro. I got all teary-eyed thinking about my younger self and how I would have LOVED to be running through the playground singing this Sesame street song instead of getting into fights with those that continued to laugh at, pull, velcro, mess up, and tease my hair. Now a mother of two beautiful boys that sport their uniqueness and pride on the playground, I can see how times have definitely made a change for the better.

Thank you Sesame Street for putting this out their for today’s kids to sing…♪♫ I love my hair, I love my hair…♪♫♪

Who is the woman of God I want to be?

Last week I got together with my friends and we shared in an activity that was called “Who is the woman of God you want to be?” We all brainstormed about the attributes and characteristics that we wanted to have as woman of God. I then shared about some of the women I looked up in the Bible and what attributes and characteristics they were known for. Ruth: loyal, hard-working, resourceful, devoted and loving. Rebecca: brave, impressed all who met her, confident, offered her help and service to others and sought out God for counsel. Other characteristics included courage, good sense, contentment, dedicated to good works, model to the community. We then drew ourselves and added the attributes we each listed.

As I shared about these women of the bible, the Proverbs 31 woman came up and the different views of what she represents came out. Is she real? Was she just the “Noble woman” that the men of the bible dreamed about? I can see how this woman, with her many talents, skills, and activities, drums up a bit of question, if it is possible to live up to this standard. I then shared that her life can be paralleled to our own. Some were good with money and the household finances, some were good with investments….we all make sure that our kids have good clothes to wear and cover them in their beds at night to stay warm. We share our lives and faith with our family and with others. We have provided for these needs in our families and we are also women of God.

It is good to take a moment to appreciate what it is that we bring to the table and know that we are successful in each day as we manage our households, encourage our families, live out our talents to their best, and walk faithfully in our relationship with God.

To my parents: Thank you!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend, I am reminded to share my gratitude for all that is in my life. As I was reflecting on a current challenge that I am facing, I realized how much I am grateful to my parents for the examples they have shared through the lives they live.

To my mom,
Thank you for your desire to continue to learn and improve on your knowledge. You have consistently, throughout my time of watching you, been into your books and studies to advance in your career. I now desire to each day, not just to study for a career, but in all areas of my life that I desire to do more or better in. I thank you for instilling in me the desire to nourish my body with foods that promote longevity and good health. As I feed my children and look to meet their nutritional needs, I see how you gave us what was not conventional to provide for us a longer and healthier life. Thank you for walking as a confident, youthful, strong woman who is proud to be in the skin she is in. It has helped me to reach the point where I feel I can do the same and it encourages me, when I was younger and today, to appreciate the uniqueness of how I was made.

To my dad,
Thank you for your continuous love and support. You have always been there to encourage me, even when you yourself were not at your best. Your BEAUTIFUL example of unconditional love towards your family and to me has resonated with such HUGE waves in my life, I don’t have words I can describe. You have celebrated my accomplishments and talents and helped and trained me to love the details. You helped me to keep my eyes open to seeing what is beautiful in the world and the people around me. Your example of humility to God’s word has touched my very soul and your acknowledgment of God and his authority in your life helped me to look outside myself and realize I am a part of a bigger picture.

Also, I would like to thank you both for your example of perseverance through trials. You both have shared the challenges that you have gone through and I would like to say that you have come through those trials and have encouraged the same perseverance in my life as well. I know there is hope, and beautiful opportunities that lie on the other side of challenge, trials and struggles. You both give generously with what you have, and when you see a need, you have a desire to take care of it, especially for your family. You both have encouraged the desire to forgive others and let go and allow love to fill my home and the hearts of those around me. Whatever I may have been through with anyone in the past is not worth holding on to if it compromises my ability to love them more, especially those near and dear to me. My desire is to encourage and to love in spite of… Thanks for helping me to be who I am today.

With love,
Your daughter,

“Responsibility” by Bob Proctor

 

I felt such great encouragement from reading this article, that I had to share it with others. Bob Proctor shares, with great explanation, the key to personal freedom. It is so freeing and eye-opening when you choose to live in a responsible way.
 

 

“Responsibility” by Bob Proctor.

Read it, consider it, and share it. It can change your life and how you live it.

 

 

 

 

What’s your image of you?

This photo I saw on someone’s computer, and aside from the weapons, I said that this photo reminds me of me. Now of course the day wouldn’t involve waking up late, rolling out of bed, chasing after my kids to get them dressed and off to school. This woman looks like she is ready to take on the world! So how would I visualize the physical version of who it is I am? Well, first of all I would have to go into the details that makes me who I am.

Appreciating your attributes

At times we may forget if we have even considered it all, but we should express to ourselves gratitude and appreciation. What makes me unique? What is beautiful about who I am? What wonderful things have I done and contributed to the lives of others? If you have trouble doing this for yourself, try starting out with appreciating those around you, out loud. That’s right, let others know what is wonderful about them and your gift of encouragement may very well come back to you.

If you give, you must also receive

If after you have given a compliment or expressed gratitude or appreciation that you receive a compliment in return, don’t turn it down, say ‘Thank you’. Receiving from the gifts that you give doesn’t always happen in the way that we think and being willing to receive the gift opens you up for receiving more. Not just in compliments, but in everything. It will also open up your awareness of who you are as you get feedback from what you are giving. So make it good! If you want to receive good gifts, you should be giving good gifts (golden rule applies here). And I’m not talking about the latest electronic gadget (although I know an HD flat screen 52″ TV comes in mind for some), I’m talking about the stuff that lasts; encouragement, gratitude, positivity, helping others in need, that kind of stuff.

Go into detail.

So now that you have a level of appreciation about you (both in giving and receiving), what does your image of you have? A big heart? Loving and hard working hands? A beautiful smile? It reminds me of when I was single and I sat down with my cousin and we mapped out the attributes of our perfect man haha. We drew on a piece of paper a male figure (could have been a stick man, it didn’t matter) and we added to the image like a diagram….strong arms, good dancer, nice smile (straight teeth), ambitious and compassionate….the list went on. But have I ever really done that for me? I don’t think so. It would be a fun project to sit down with my kids and do (I guess I will be doing it soon then…) Maybe I could sit down with some of my friends and do that too. But in the end it’s the image of who you see yourself to be and it should encourage you.

Well, I have work to do, but I must say that I do see myself as a knight, a defender of what is good and loving in this world and I will continue my crusade for a more positive, loving and helpful me.

Zucchini Banana Spice Bread

This is my gluten-free, egg-free recipe for zucchini bread which was modified from a recipe I got from marthastewart.com, Zucchini Spice bread. We had a really successful year in our garden with growing zucchini, so it was awesome to be able to “experiment” with different combinations of ingredients to find a recipe I was happy with. All the “try-outs” tasted really good, however, I enjoy this recipe the best. Due to the food allergies and intolerances in our family, I swapped out the flour for a combination of flours from other grains, added hemp protein powder, and used bananas in place of the eggs. I know my friends and family really enjoy this recipe and I hope you will too.

1 large zucchini (about 2 cups grated zucchini)
1/3 cup blue agave syrup
2/3 cup olive oil (or grapeseed oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup chickpea or garbanzo flour
1 cup bajra flour or 1/2 cup rice flour and 1/2 cup millet flour
1/8 cup hemp protein powder
1/8 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (in honour of my grandmother)
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with a little oil or cooking spray, and line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper. Set aside. Mash the bananas in a small bowl (or break into pieces and blend with an immersion wand hand blender) and set aside. Grate zucchini (yields about 2 cups to use for the recipe. If you have a huge zucchini, just cut some off ); set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together agave syrup, oil, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Into a separate small bowl, whisk together flours, hemp powder, ground flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, and salt. Add the dry mixture to wet mixture, and stir to combine well. Stir in grated zucchini, making sure the zucchini is well coated.

3. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Let rest in pan 10 minutes, then turn out and allow to cool completely on wire rack before slicing.

I tend not to sweeten with refined sugars. And as a result, my palette for sweet foods has become more sensitive. If you would prefer a sweeter version, you can add 1/2 honey instead of the the agave syrup and some stevia to the flour mixture (I do this when I bake the bread for functions, about 1 tbsp which is equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar).

Me and the zucchini