2010 and Plans for a New Year

I had an amazing experience this year. I was finally submitting to my husband...in the middle of a HUGE project in 2009, I realized that I could not be in charge of huge events on a volunteer basis, and keep my family going. So, as soon as the event was over, I bowed out of everything. Some people think I have dropped off the edge of the earth, but no. I am doing quite well focusing on my family instead of everything else. Even though my extra projects were in the name of ministry, it's not what God wanted me to be doing. My ministry is to my family.
Anyway, 2010, finally submitting to my husband and letting God run my life. This fall, He provided me with an opportunity to teach music at my kid's school. Not only that - I love music and kids - but only to K-3rd grade. I couldn't ask for a better job. From the beginning, I was encouraged to plan a good Christmas show. I started praying in August...from the start of listening to Christmas music to the very last day, this show was prayed for. For guidance, and for God's will to be done. And, it was. It was fabulous. Not only the show, in which God was glorified - I think - in the public school(Hanukkah and Kwanzaa were in the show too, so I was free to sing of my Saviour's birth.) but, also in the way it came about.
God has given me a gift to dream big. In the past, this has gotten me into trouble because the rest of my life wasn't lined up right. But now, doing what I know was His will - submitting to my husband - I had an opportunity to use His gift the way He intended it to be used, and it was amazing. Things came together in ways I couldn't have foreseen. I planned this big show, but had no idea of how it would really come together. There were some things that were changed mid-way, but really there was no plan B. I realized about half-way through that if I just followed God's lead, He would provide the time and resources necessary. But, even then, I was not confident. Dress rehearsal day was a mess, and I was making excuses for my big ideas. I should have just had confidence that I had truly given this to God, and all was as it should be! Performance day was amazing. I almost cried the entire way through the first performance (we had 3) as I witnessed everything going down according to plan. God is amazing.
So, on to 2011. I am making plans. I love to. I am submitting to my husband. I want to take what I have learned from the Christmas show, and apply it it life now. I just had an entire hour to reflect on last year and submit my plans to God. Now, my little boy is coming down the stairs for some snuggle time. While I didn't finish writing all I intended, I will trust that this is God's timing, and He will give me time to finish whatever He wants finished. My healthy eating plans are only half done. I have been submitting to my husband this week, as he has taken time off work, and have not had time to finish my big menu plans. But today is football day, so maybe God will have me finish them today. However, if not, I will just trust in Him. His plans are what I want most of all.

Goals and Plans

Mmmm...Christmas break is always my time to try new things and make goals. This is definitely the case this year, and once again, everything is revolving around how we eat. What is the next step? What is my plan? I need to set up a template of what my week will look like regarding baking and meals or else nothing will happen. Luckily, I love to do this, and usually I can make things happen according to plan about 50% of the time. :)

So, here's what I am asking myself this year:
1. What do I want MY pantry to look like?
I've tried other's lists, but have ended up buying things that we just don't use. I think I know enough now as to what my family likes and doesn't like to create my own pantry list. I would love to buy everything from my co-op if costs permit.

2. What do I want my menu template to be?

3. I want to use all sprouted flours, make our bread and crackers and get away from processed food with all the additives, etc. What kind of schedule is that going to take?

That's about it for now. I am hoping to get this all into place by the time school starts up again. A good foundation is imperative to anything.

12 days of baking

Wow, it's been a long time. The Christmas show took over for quite a while. Thank goodness for Christmas Break! I am looking forward to my new vitamix blender which I am getting for Christmas tomorrow! I have been sprouting and dehydrating grain in anticipation. I am determined to learn how to make a good loaf of bread and to use healthy flour in all that we bake.
My new favorite blog is www.thenourishinggourmet.com. It is filled with all kinds of healthy eating information and recipes. Also, how to do it on a budget. My New Year's quest...determining how I want to eat, and how to do it in real life. More on that later.
12 days of baking...I have made power bars, granola bars, 2 loaves of bread and candied pretzels to give away. More next week when I get my sourdough starter. :)

Merry Christmas! Don't forget the actual reason for this season!

Exercise Room of the Week - Bathroom

This is my favorite place to exercise because it is so easy! If I don't have time to do this exercise, it is a sign that I need to get things more together. Here it is:

Calf Raises While Brushing Your Teeth
It's simple, while you are brushing your teeth, just raise yourself up onto the balls of your feet over and over. You should be able to accomplish 80 each time you brush your teeth. I feel it all the way up the back of my legs. Try it with your toes pointed in and pointed out. I was told this works different muscles.
When your done, why not throw in a few push-ups using the counter top? I haven't been doing that, but I think I will add that to my morning routine!

Exercising around the house: Laundry Room

I don't know about you, but I have no desire to go to a gym. I am busy enough during the day, and don't need more time away from my kids. However, I do need to exercise! So, what's a mom to do? I am finding ways to exercise all over the house. Each week I'll try to spotlight a room and the exercises that can be done there.

Room of the week: Laundry Room

I bet you didn't know that the laundry room is a great place to do squats! How do you empty the clothes out of your drier? I spread my legs apart and squat down to get those clothes out! I try to do it quickly and just pile them all on top of my drier in order to keep those muscles working. About 20 squats and I'm feeling it! Remember to keep your knees lined up with your ankles, and not your toes, and start shaping up those legs!

Addendum

I just wanted to clarify that I use the goldenseal, but I don't use it on the kids. I don't use anything that is not recommended by the website I mentioned in the previous post.

Goldenseal

Well, since the family has its first cold I thought I'd share some info on my favorite herbs. Last year, when I started working with preschoolers, I battled sinus infections during May. Blech. I visited my local herb store, Garden of Eden, and told the "practitioner" that I could feel a sinus infection...like someone had punched me in the cheek. She told me to use my neti-pot with herbal tea - thyme, oregano, echinacea are some good ones...anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Then, she sold me some goldenseal powder. I mixed 1/16 of a tsp with very little water and stuck it up my nose with a q-tip. No joke. :) I started at lunch time - neti-pot and goldenseal - , again after school, and by dinner time the pain was gone. I was also taking an herbal tincture she had for allergies. This goldenseal works wonders.
This time round with the cold, I did the goldenseal, but would stop when I started to feel better. However, it is important to keep doing it until you actually are better because it will come back. Kind of like taking your entire bottle of antibiotics even though you feel better. You just gotta wipe out those suckers!
Some good preventative herbs are astragalus root and echinacea. I alternate these with my kids. We just started yesterday with astragalus, and will alternate every month with echinacea.
A great website is: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ I check this site before giving any herbs to my kids.
Will has entered into the germ pool of Kindergarten. This year will be a good test for our new healthy eating habits and preventative herbs. Here's to our health!