Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lower Your Cholestrol

So, I had someone recently ask for help on Cholestrol and their diet. I am NOT an expert in any of these areas, but I am willing to help and do some research for you.

Here are a few tips...
9 Food Tips to Lower Cholesterol
By
WebMD Feature
A low-cholesterol diet is one of the surest ways to improve heart health. In fact, studies show you can slash your bad cholesterol by as much as 10% to 20% by giving your diet a makeover. The secret?

1. Follow a diet rich in healthy fats like vegetable oils and fish. And avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats. How do you know which foods keep your cholesterol low? Here are nine tips to help you get started..

2. Stock your pantry and your refrigerator with the right foods for a low-cholesterol diet. Buy your favorite canned or dry beans, fresh fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and vegetable juice.

3. For a low-cholesterol diet, toss the butter, trans fat margarines, and polyunsaturated oil. Replace them with canola oil, olive oil, or plant sterol spreads.
4. Look for products specifically created for low-cholesterol diets, like Minute Maid HeartWise orange juice and Benecol, Promise, Smart Balance, and Take Control margarines. These foods have been fortified with plant stanols and sterols that help to block the absorption of cholesterol.

5. Start your day with oatmeal. Experts agree this is one of the top cholesterol-lowering superfoods.
6. Try a cholesterol-free egg substitute instead of whole eggs.

7. For a tasty low-cholesterol dish, switch out the cream sauce on your fettuccine for lightly stir-fried vegetables.

8. Instead of using butter to keep your pan moist while cooking, use white wine vinegar. It doesn't change the flavor of foods and doesn't add fat -- a key to low-cholesterol cooking!

9. Don't lean on butter, sour cream, and other fatty additives for flavoring. Instead, reach for the spices -- either while cooking or at the table. Liven up your dishes with oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, coriander, or cumin.

Another link to help you:
Heart Healthy Kitchen

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Mommyhood...

Gosh, this thing called Mommyhood is so important. But, I am not telling you all anything new there, am I?

Have you ever stopped to realize that you are not just preparing them for their future here on earth, but also for where they will spend eternity?

Let that sink in and you will feel that load. It can feel so heavy if you are going to try and bare it alone. But, that's the beautiful thing, you don't have to. You can ask for help, HE is there to help guide your way, just seek HIS will.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration Ideas- A blog post full of Links

Hope these links help you plan a great Dr. Seuss Celebration! Enjoy Everyone!


Here are some great ideas gathered from around this big wide internet. :)

Teaching ideas...
Dr Seuss Unit Ideas

Classroom Jr has lots of Dr Seuss Activities & Lesson Plans

Dr Seuss Matching Game

Rhyming Activity/Game

Dr Seuss Activity Blocks

Lorax Classroom Project

1 Fish 2 Fish interactive Printable for Preschool

Dr Seuss Unit

The Lorax ideas

Craft ideas...
Lorax Truffula Trees Craft 1

Lorax Truffula Tree Pencils

Quotes:

Printable  from (mmscrapshopp)

Other quotes can be found here

I plan on making Little Man's lunch notes with Dr Seuss Quotes that week. :)

I am also taking a snack into the class that day and I am planning it around The Lorax! So excited. (Yes, I am such a nerd like that!)

Other Ideas...
hostessblog.com I knew she would not disappoint with her ideas! Having a Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Here is something to help you out! :)

The Lorax Mustache On A Stick

Get Creative With The Lorax, It's Party Time!

Lorax Tuffula Trees

Lorax Cake Pops
IMG_6983-2
Bakerella photo - check her site. Awesome!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Fashion, Fashion, Fashion!

If you are one of the ones that can follow on pinterest because you are a facebook person and you love fashion. Let me tell you that dahling-you-look-fabulous board over there is a must check out. Anytime I came across an outfit when searching that I saw and said, I'd wear that. It seemed to come from this woman's board. Awesome stuff! :)

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

He calls me Mom...

and I can't think of anything better to be called. Although saddened that it's not Mommy anymore--the Mom thing happened a number of years ago and gosh that hits your heart. This is just another point that shows he is growing up. Which he is and all too fast for me. But, within the sadness I see a glimpse of his future and the man I pray he becomes. I see those moments every day and that makes my heart happy. Because one thing that I see is that his heart is AMAZING...truly amazing.

Remember around Christmas I had posts on RACKs? Well, it's not just a Christmas activity for us, we do try to do this throughout the year in different ways. The other night, I took him to get something out for dinner. (That's a treat, especially on a school night!) It was just the two of us. We were walking and passed a meter that was about to run out. He said "Oh, Mom we need to fill this for them. It's about to run out. Don't for get about RACKs." Mind you, he said this as you would picture a child asking for a cookie or something they wanted badly.

I looked at the time, knowing we were going to just pick dinner up and take it home that night and told him that if it was that way when we came out that we could. He checked it as soon as we got out and yes, he did fill it for them. After that, he had a hop in his step and my heart swelled. I said "Boy, I love your heart!". I do, I love his heart. I love him and I am blessed to be called Mom.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Vegan here we come....

So, I have been trying to pull together the Vegan Challenge page. As you can see it is up and running. However, I will be adding more over there. More information, ideas, links, etc.

One of the resources I added was http://foodgawker.com/post/category/vegan/.
This site is like a food only Pinterest! Don't say I didn't warn you. I can get addicting!

Many of you have said you are interested in my Vegan journey. I'll be sure to detail it for you all. It should be entertaining. Anytime I try to cook new things, it gets entertaining. Who knows, maybe I will be a better vegan cook than a regular cook.

Little Man and my husband will not be taking this on with me. However, most of Little Mans lunches are vegan already. Yes, he takes chickpeas and such for protein in his lunch. He loved the Vegan Chili that I made a while back. But, they will be taste testing and doing some vegan meals with me. I won't cook two meals every single night.

Things will be interesting around here -- that's for sure! So, I hope you enjoy the rambles on this from time to time, as well as the recipes.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Organization...

I will be speaking the end of March for a few days at a local Mom's group on this topic. I plan on sharing some organization tips on here in the future. What areas of organization do you want me to cover? Chime in and help me plan my future posts. :)

I am in the midst of planning my next project--our garage! It so needs it (in my eyes). This is my husbands domain, but I told him that I needed to get my hands on it to keep it functional for him, but make it look better and keep the chaos controlled in there. This is an upcoming project for me. Our garage will be functional, organized and as pretty as a garage can get when I am done. Well that is the plan anyway. :) File folder with ideas has been started...

Speaking of organization, has anyone checked out the new show? The Amandas

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Getting a Vegan Challenge page ready...

Behind the scenes I am working on a page that will have food ideas, links for helping you on this journey. I want to make sure that I am supporting anyone who is taking this journey with me. Meal ideas, links to help you, etc.  So, once I have a good bit of information on this page, I will be sure to get it out there for all of you.

We are less than a week away from this challenge and I am looking forward to this....

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Beautiful Song...

Lead Me Not sure if I have posted this before, but I love this song. Simply beautiful. Enjoy!
Here is the story behind it... Link here...

I do share my faith on here (knowing some may love it--others not so much), but I ran across something that I wanted to share in reference to that, so read the following poem.

Poem

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost!
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

If anyone is reading and does not have this relationship yet and wants to know more about it, contact me. I'll do my best to get you more information and point you in the direction to get that information.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day.

Little Man made these for his class this year. Can I tell you this is the least labor intensive valentine that we have done in a long time! If you want to bookmark for next year, you'll need to go over to zakkalife.blogspot.com.

She has other cool valentine ideas as well. Little Man might have gone for the space ones if he saw them when we were deciding.
Photo from her website as well.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Vegan baking...

This came from .peta.org it's a great cheat sheet for those of you following me on the vegan journey.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Fashion Friday- One outfit.

I have a friend that came up with an idea for Fashion Friday Blog Post. It will be fun. It will be entertaining. We will do it. When? Not sure. But, I am already looking forward to it! You should be, too!

Link for the outfit details.
Pinned Image

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Lunchbox and Vegan...

Lunchbox ideas:
So, I found this link to share with all of you to help in your lunch planning ideas. This is not the lunch box system we use. As you can all recall, we use the Planetbox. We love it!
Now for the menu ideas:
Bento Menus
I am sure that you will find ideas to inspire you. But, don't worry, I will be back with more ideas for you and perhaps some pictures of Little Man's Lunches. Until then, happy lunch packing!

Vegan update:
So, I am looking at all things Vegan before embarking on my 46 day journey. I've felt enlightened and excited about this. It will be an experience in so many ways. Is there anyone joining me?

I am going to try new recipes every week and new products and I will report back on all of it.  I am sure you will all enjoy the entertainment factor in all of that. Let's make something perfectly clear, I am not going to be on the vegan diet that consists of junk food and candy. It will be a healthy, balanced diet.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Social Networking...

I never know the answer and still don't when I ask the question : "Do I want to social network this little blog of mine?". Honestly, I sometimes feel I am just trying to figure out what I want my voice to be.  Until I figure that out I shouldn't bother growing it. But, then I wonder if this is inhibiting my goal of reaching others. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
I've also questioned my social networking on a personal level. I don't twitter, facebook, etc. Sometimes, I think that this is a good thing, other times I wonder.

You see the good thing is that I develop my friendships in person, not through online posts. But, then there are times where friends are posting things online and feeling as though they have already told everyone. Ummmm...yeah, not me. So, you can get left out or left behind. However, you can also see who those true friends are, the ones that make sure they connect in real time. They take the time to be friends, not just convenient friends, but real, true, there for you friends.

However, am I missing opportunities to connect because of this? Could it just be another avenue to connect? But, not allow it to be the only avenue. Which is where I personally think that people go wrong -- they forget about having personal relationships, instead of just online ones.
Read about a teens "Amish Project" here. It might surprise you.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Healthy Food...


So, you hear from people that eating healthy costs more, guess it depends on what you are thinking about as far as a cost perspective. Here is some food for thought. Yeah, that pun was totally on purpose. ;) This is from Daily Spark. You can check over there for more, but I promise to post some of them from time to time over here as well.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Challenge for you...

check out
Not a Fan
It just might change your life. I think it can change everyones life in a different way. It is a personal journey. One that you have to go on, you can't ride along with others. It has to be YOUR journey. YOU have to be willing to say I AM NOT A FAN!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Superbowl Commercials

We all know they are cool. So, a friend of mine told me that he church was doing something with them as part of their service.
I thought that you all might like to see it as well.
You can check it out here.
30secondtheology.com/
Now-February 11th.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Lunchbox and Healthy Food Posts...

Hey, I am so up for this suggestion. I LOVE packing little mans lunches. Perhaps I can just share some pictures of his lunches. This is something that I really enjoy.

I'll also be sharing more meals, of course starting Feb 22nd they could be vegan. :)


Other organization topics to cover? Anyone?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Upcoming Posts and Vegan...

Take some time to think about this, some time to wrap your head around it and then jump in with me. I am going to embark on 40 days of Vegan eating. Actually, it will be 46 days. But, for all of you following along, 40 days will do. Seems funny to say 46, I don't know why.

Is anyone willing to jump in and do this with me for 30 days? 40 days? Anyone?

I am saying this, because I will be posting about this experience once a week. Sharing thoughts along the way and even recipes.

What comes to your mind when you hear Vegan? Are you up for the challenge? This starts for me on Feb 22nd. Who is in???

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Organization Posts to come but first...

tell me what you want me to write about. Give me topics and I will cover them. So, go ahead and add a comment telling me what you want covered. Remember you don't have to list your name. So, go for it.
Have a great week everyone!