Ode to the Farm Market

I love the Farm Market!

I love going there and seeing all the nice local farmers

I love talking to them

I love buying the fruits and veggies.

I love the melons

I love the corn.

I love the apples

I love the carrots

I love the greens

I love the squash 

I love the beans

I love all the fresh, local fruits & veggies!

I love walking around in the sea of people, making healthy choices.

Best Banana Chocolate Smoothies EVER

My son says the other day,
"Mom, I love you.  Your the best mom because you make the best Banana Chocolate Smoothies EVER!"

I didn't have the heart to tell him where we live (Bay City, MI)
I'm probably the ONLY Mom that makes banana chocolate smoothies.

Why Banana Chocolate Smoothies?
They are a healthy alternative to sugary treats like slushies or ice cream.
Its also a great way to keep from banana waste!  When my bananas get just ripe enough that I don't want to eat them (too many brown spots), I freeze them and use them later for smoothies!

What goes into one of these Awesome Smoothies, you ask?
I took Dr. Furhman's recipe for "Furhman Fudgcicles" and used cocoa powder instead of carob powder, added Chia seeds and modified it to a smoothie.
(therefore the credit really goes to the good Dr. F)

Banana Chocolate Smoothie
1 ripe banana (per person)
1 tbsp cocoa powder (not dutch) (per person)
1 tbsp Chia seeds or ground flax seed (per person)
1/2 tbsp raw cashews (optional.. adds to flavor..  I sometimes use another nut or none if I don't have any)
1/2 unsweetened soy or almond milk (Approximate per person to blend and achieve desired consistency/flavor)
Ice cubes (for desired consistency)

Put all of first ingredients except ice in blender and blend.
Add Ice, if desired, until its as slushy as you like

You can use frozen bananas with or without ice.  If you use frozen bananas without ice it is more of a milk-shake-type of consistency.  If you use non-frozen bananas you will probably want to add ice to chill it and make it a little slushy.  I usually always add ice (whether I have frozen bananas or not) because I like the slushy feel it gives.  If I used frozen bananas and ice I add more soymilk to help me blend it.  Also, if my bananas were smaller than usual and the cocoa is too strong, I will add a little more soymilk to make it more creamy tasting.

What a tasty treat to add along with Breakfast, Lunch, or sometimes Dinner!

The Last 10

Over the past year I have lost several pounds by eating high nutrient foods and exercising.
I am at the last 10 pounds.
I have been told by some I am fine how I am.
I have been told by many they wish they were as thin.

I, however, don't quit before reaching the finish.

I WILL lose the last 10.
I WILL lose the ugly tummy skin and flab.
I will lose those flappy, thappy thighs!

I have heard those will be the last to go.

Last 10

Tummy

Thighs

They say the last ten is hardest to lose.

I say, "BRING IT ON!"

Pondering Death

It does me no good to pine about death.

I used to be obsessed with death.
I think it was that prayer
"if I shoudl die before I wake"
I would think, "what if I don't wake up"
(Of course, at the time I was so afraid of going to hell, no wonder I was terrified!)

The only thing death really means is I won't see someone again in this lifetime.

Death -- it's really only bad for the living.

I can think of worse things than death:
An estranged loved one that will no longer speak to you is worse than a dead loved one.

I thought I might die a couple times, but didn't want to leave my unfinished business: a life not fully lived.

Death.

It's really a reminder to live life.

Poisonous Mushrooms = Dead Dog

My dog is dead.
It took about a day.
I wasn't prepared for this.
We think she ate a mushroom in the back yard yesterday morning.
I wish I had known they were out there.
I wish I had known they were poisonous.
I wish I had known.
She was still a puppy.
How do I tell my 5 year old son (who is still in bed)?
I wish I heard her barking in the back yard.
She could have another one of my sandals to chew.

Starting the Revolt against Junk Food at Home

I am starting a revolt against junk food.
Too often, I hear, its okay to let them have some junk once in a while (about the kids, about my kid).
ITS NOT OK!!!!
He's addicted to junk food, and like an addict when he gets his hands on a little, he wants a lot.

My son is chubby.
He is in the higher percentile for weight.  I thought I was doing fine by him to let him have a candy once in a while.  Then I found out how much he was getting at preschool, and daycare and Grandma's.  No wonder he has gotten chubby!

I removed the sugar in the house.
I use dates to sweeten things.
I will buy no more processed cold cereals.
 This morning my son had a small serving of blueberry oatmeal with Chia seeds in it and a little soymilk and we shared a smoothie with blueberries, banana, and spinach.

He starts kindergarten in the fall.
I am nervous about the conversations with the school about
NOT using M&Ms to count with
NOT giving him suckers on the bus.
NOT giving him candy, cookies, "fruit" snacks.

Let the other parents roll their eyes,
Let the teachers think I'm mean,
Let my extended family think I am a health-nut-wack-job,
Let my co-workers laugh at my really big salads.

I told my son that vegetables have super-powers.
I do believe this is true.
At first he asked, "what kind of powers?  Can I do this?" (doing a spider-man wrist flick)
I said, "no, but they have the power to help you from getting sick"
He says, "but sugar has the power to make me sick?"
He's catching on...

To the Tim Horton's Customer Blocking Traffic - - -

Dear Tim Horton's Customer,

I know, I know, you really need your coffee and doughnut.
But why must you always block traffic?
Sitting there, in the road, waiting in that very long drive through line?
Are there no parking spots in the lot?
Can you not walk inside until you have had your fix?
Maybe you need coffee to get your legs moving?
I wish you wouldn't make me late for work.
I thought I would make it on time until I got stuck behind you.
I'll bet if you walked inside you would be in and out in no time,
probably a lot sooner than you would get to the window.
You might have to move your feet, though..
I know its a lot to ask, but it could help you burn off that doughnut or at least one or two Tim Bits.

Losing MY Religion

I was trying to figure out exactly when I lost my religion.

I remember sitting in Church one Sunday morning, after a long night of partying (I was probably about 20 at the time). I don't know if I had even been to bed yet. But I was doing what I thought was the right thing and since I was still living at home with my mom, I didn't want to hear it about not going. So, I was sitting in church this particular Sunday and there was this old priest (originally from Poland, I believe) filling in for the regular one. I remember him going on and speaking about all these evil doers (he might not have called them evil doers, but that was the gist of it). This surprised me, as the Catholic church is usually more mellow than some of the other Christian religions. He was talking about people who smoked marijuana (me), Gay people (my friends), Drinkers (more friends) these were just a few of the people he was talking about in negative (people who are going to hell if they don't confess) way. I knew all priests aren't so horribly judgemental (or at least not openly, so), but as I sat there, ears practically bleeding, I knew that it would be my last time at that church. After all, "what would Jesus do"? "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" is what I kept thinking. I can't stand hypocrisy.

I would make at least one feeble attempt to reclaim my religion, like a lot of people do, at a low point in my life a year or so later. I was really down after a relationship breakup, after drinking a little too much cough syrup, I thought I was losing my mind and my grip on reality. I even thought the Klu Klux Klan was coming to get me once (why they would want a whitey like me, is another question altogether). So in the midst of losing my mind, first I got a pet, then I thought I should return to church. I wouldn't go back to that old church, however! I was going to try another Catholic church in town. So on my way to the vet, my kitten and I stopped at the church. I don't think they were thrilled when I carried a kitten in with me, but they signed me up anyway, and I became their newest member. They took a picture of me (and my kitten) to hang on their new member board. I never did show up to their church, however. I laugh about it every time I think about it (who goes to sign up for church with their kitten?)!

I've come a long way since those crazy days. I've taken up a healthier natural approach to life and my happiness. I don't even take cough syrup for my cough. And I don't smoke anything anymore, not that I am opposed to it (its nicer for my lungs, I figure). I've pondered, philosophized, theorized, and rationalized. What have I concluded? I don't believe in God the way I used to. Instead, I believe myself to be a goddess capable of far more than I had imagined. I believe I am part of an ultimate universe of Love which all things are apart of. Some may call that God, but I prefer Universe. My God (Universe) doesn't condemn. Its all about love. There is no fear or fiery hell (a scary bed time story told to make us behave). Its all love, baby, and I find I am so much happier since I have shed that fear.

Great Weekend & Thoughts of Nutrition.. Here's to Life

Its been a busy, fun weekend so far. It was nice to get to Sanford Beach with my 5 year old son, my best friend, and 3 of her children.

We need to do things like this more often. Since my son is an only child (i could never successfully maintain a pregnancy after him). It is nice for him to be with the other children. I also enjoy hanging out with Bea and her kids, as they are much like family to me.
We swam in the lake and went to the splash park. A great Time was had by all.

Now its Sunday, time for a little Grocery Shopping, a little houswork, AND a little relaxation too!

I have also been thinking about nutrition a lot again this weekend. Its something that has been on my mind a lot lately. In November I did Dr Fuhrman's 6 week holiday Challenge. I lost about 20 pounds since doing it. I had already cleaned up my diet and lost weight prior, but wanted to kick it to the next level of ultimate nutrition. But then I started to slip and slide off again. A vegan muffin here, a little maple syrup there.. Its not just myself that concerns me, however. I am trying to feed my son a very healthy diet without processed foods, without refined flours and without refined sugars. This is EXTREMELY difficult. It shouldn't be, however, CANDY surrounds us! Its at grabbing level in the super market, they put in in almost all the foods, they make sugary fruit snacks and pass them off as healthy, and it is made out to be the norm. I am also surrounded by this prevailing notion that by denying my child these things I will turn him into a "weirdo". I am working really hard on getting over these things. When we go to the grocery store today I will give him his quarter for the machines at the end and am going to encourage him to get a toy and not gum or candy. We will date nut popems at home for a sweet bite or eat some fruit or a smoothie. I haven't even begin to think about how to deal with Halloween this year!

Maybe it is good that his transition has been a little slower than I had hoped (instead of cold turkey), but I can still see the junk food addiction in him. When we went to the family reunion he "cracked out" on the chips and the sweets. I didn't want to say "no don't have any" but next time I am going to have to say.. "chill out and only have a little".. I know potato chips and pastries and baked goods are the worst thing he can eat. I also am not naive enough to think as he gets older he WILL make choices once in a while to eat crappy food with his friends. I do, however, dread the moment he may decide to try meat (ack!) Thankfully, it is enough for him to know right now that meat is "dead cow, dead pig" etc.

To help on Aiden's healthy journey we have been making transitions and modifications to existing things he likes. Instead of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches we do Natural no sugar Peanut Butter (not that JIF crap) with sliced grapes on whole wheat bread. That was a big transition. We no longer buy store bought juices instead I bought a juicer and once in a while I make him a cup of fresh fruit juice. He won't eat my vegetable soup yet, but I am working on modifications on recipes all the time to feed him healthy things. He has gotten awfully hooked on crisp rice cereal, however, and I am working on healthier breakfast alternatives. He got tired of blueberry oatmeal. I am going to have him help me make a grocery list today and we will decide yummy healthy foods to make. I am going to have him pick out some fruit all for himself at the store (I remember I used to like that when I was a kid).

When I was little I remember my dad would take us to the fruit market and tell me I could pick out one thing. My fondest memory was picking a small personal watermelon just for me. I LOVE watermelon. Sometimes I would pick a peach or a plum. I always loved natures bounties and sweet nectars. We also went blueberry picking every year when I was a kid too. To this day I LOVE bluberries and watermelons the best... MMMMM... I think it is these experiences that shape the way you look at food later in life, therefore I hope to help shape Aiden's outlook to be a healthy one.

As with most things in life, we are taking our journey step by step. We can learn from our mistakes or we can repeat them, and if we repeat them we can choose to either keep repeating them or to make a change. My son isn't old enough to realize the consequences poor eating could have on him later in life, but I do realize it and, as a parent, its my responsibility to feed him accordingly AND set a good example myself.

Here's to a Long, Healthy, Happy Life! Thanks Dr. Furhman for the recipes and sound nutritional advice.

Discovering my career path.

I really want to break out of my day job and find an actual career. Since I was 16, I have been doing the "responsible" thing and getting payed small wages for rendering service so I can eat, buy gas, go to work, go to bed, Or as Melissa Etheridge says in her one song "work, eat, sleep, work eat sleep, work eat sleep... suffocating my delight". I need to set out and discover my delight and find a delightful job! Why has this been a problem?

I think finding my delight and a delightful job has been difficult because I haven't been able to fully realize where my passion lies. Don't get me wrong, I have become passionate about a good many things. I am passionate about this healthy lifestyle I am learning and pursuing. I even thought about going to school to become a fitness trainer or something similiar, but, having bum knees has put a damper on doing that. I am passionate about music but I am not a musician, I just like listening to it. I am passionate about art, but I am not an accomplished artist I really just enjoy other people's art. I am passionate about movies, but I don't know if I could be paid to watch movies, unless I became a movie editor. I am passionate about many things that don't seem to translate into career.


I went to college for psychology and one day I was sitting in an "abnormal psych" class and while the professor lecturing about how they determine abnormal: they look at the average population as a base on the norm with people outside that norm being considered abnormal (or something like that.. it was a long time ago). As I listened to this lecture, I remember thinking "I'm not normal, does that make me, therefore crazy? And whose to say this mass population really is the normal and sane just because they are the majority? Just because the majority say that God exists, it doesn't necessarily make it so" I decided that day I wouldn't be a psychologist, and furthermore, didn't want any thing more to do with it.


When I was in high school I thought I wanted to be a writer. I suppose that is a thought... I am embarking on discovering if that would be a niche to follow. I have heard that if you want to write, however, you should write SOMETHING every day. Well looky here --- a BLOG!

Though I don't know where my blog journey will take me, I feel I owe it to myself to start writing somewhere and this blog is my start, not necessarily my end, destination.

Here we go!