On Family Dinners, Clean-up, and Giving Thanks

Having family dinners is so important. But lets face it, most of us have crazy schedules (hello softball season!) and sometimes it is hard to get everyone around the table each night for a meal. Nevertheless I think it is such a worthwhile thing to work towards. If you haven't been doing this regularly because you are in a particularly busy season of life, here are two tips to making it happen:

1. Make a goal to have at least a certain number of meals together each week and let everyone in the family know what days those are.
2. Start with a simple list of family favorites to serve so you can focus on the moment and not so much on the menu (stay-tuned for our family favorite meals that get everyone excited about dinner).

Currently we are done with baseball and softball and my husband has an easier work schedule. So family dinners are now much easier to make happen. Still, however, I have found myself struggling with the clean-up. There is nothing worse than having a beautiful meal together only to have all helpers disappear. The battle to call everyone back and get them all helping can be stressful and does not make for a nice finish.

My solution is to make clean-up part of giving thanks. By explaining to the children that the meal is not over until the kitchen is cleaned up, and that by cleaning up afterwards we say "thank you" to the one who prepared it, and to God for providing it, I hope to make cleaning up a little smoother and part of the family bonding experience.

Here is a printable I made up so that I can assign the clean-up tasks we need to do every evening after dinner. It is handy to have a written list that we need to follow. I want to remove the need to nag. We have this laminated and stuck to the fridge where everyone can see it. The plan is to rotate tasks weekly.

Feel free to print and use for yourself if you like. I hope you are having plenty of family dinners at your house! 

Finding A Word for 2017

In December I started to hear a lot of buzz about new year’s resolutions and goal setting. I love setting goals, making lists, and making plans, but even more than that, of course, I love accomplishing goals. So when I heard people on my coaching team talking about choosing a word for 2017 as a way to give more focus and purpose to the year and accomplish more, I was interested. I saw it as a a way of adding more intention and weaving a common theme throughout.

I tossed around some words thinking and praying about it. It was a process. I went through several words. After a few days my word came to me…”ARISE”! I knew it was meant for me.

There is so much for me in this word. I truly feel God is calling me to rise this year; rise to the occasion; rise from my slumber; rise above my own made up limitations; rise above my fears; rise above my narrow focus and see His plan. I am so confident His plans for me are good and this year I am answering the call to follow...to live with vision.

What is your word this year? Have you taken the time to think about it? I hope that you have big plans and that you are ready to follow your calling!

              

Let's Make Eating Healthy a Little Easier!

Eating healthy and keeping a family happy at dinner time is not always easy. If it isn't the challenge of getting everything done in the day and getting dinner on the table on time it is the challenge of finding something everyone likes that is still going to help you reach your fitness goals.

This month I am running a FREE mini-challenge that just might help solve those problems AND as a bonus will get you working on your core!  The challenge is just 5 days long and includes recipes, a simple grocery list, and some killer ab exercises (with instructions) for each of the 5 days. Group opens this Saturday so you can get your shopping done over the weekend and then we start on Monday.

Anyone who wants to get some new recipe inspiration and also strengthen their core can join. Click on the link here to be added to the group: JOIN HERE!

Motivation Monday

 

Most things worthwhile in life take some significant effort. Sometimes it can be downright difficult to get to where you want to be...or let's be honest...sometimes it can be downright difficult just to get out of bed and put on grown-up clothes. So what is it that drives people to accomplish things and move past the hard? How do people set big hairy scary goals and actually acheive them?! It is a simple concept really but it isn't always easy...THEY FIND THEIR "WHY" and they hang on tight!

Finding your why means knowing the exact reason you are doing whatever it is you are doing. It means staying in touch with the root of your goal. And we are not talking one of those weak little surface roots but the kind that goes way down deep into the richest and firmest soil.

Everyone's "why" is unique. And we can have a different why for every goal.  Do you want to lose weight? Why? Maybe you want to lose weight because you are at risk of a heart attack and you want to be around for your children. Maybe you want to lose weight because your anniversary is coming up and you want to feel amazing on your second honeymoon. Maybe you want to lose weight so you can acheive a life-long dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Whatever it is, that is the reason you will go back to every time it gets hard. It is the driving force behind every step it takes to reach your goal. In the case of weightloss your why will be the reason you can say "no" to donuts at work, stop hitting snooze at 5 am and get your workout in before the kids wake up, or add that spinach to your smoothie and skip the pancakes in the morning. 

Having a why does 3 very important things:

1. Keeps you motivated and when you think of it, it can renew your joy in the task at hand.
2. Helps you overcome the odds and dig deep when things are tough.
3. Gives you clarity so you can make good decisions and form a plan.

If you want to accomplish something, especially something that takes consistent effort, you NEED a WHY. The what and the how follow from that. The fight you need within you to meet your goal will always flow from your why. There is no "beat the odds" without a kick-butt why.

Sometimes it takes time to really figure it out but you have to do it.

I want to build my own business so I can work from home. I don't have a boss and I have to have a very strong why in order to make it happen. Wanting more money or a feeling of accomplishment are not enough. My why is something that connects to the very core of what I value and what I want in life. My family, being a present mom that has the freedom to be with my children in the moment and helping create a future for them along with my husband WHILE helping others...that is my BIG why.

Consistency does NOT come easy for me and I have to make my why "the boss." I have identified my deepest reason for building a business and working from home which means I have the strength to do things I need to do when I don't feel like it. Waking up early, pushing play and getting in my workout, and all the daily work tasks sprinkled in between dishes, laundry, homeschooling, and the daily grind of glorious motherhood...those things happen because of my why.

Having that deep touches-my-very-core kind of why is still not enough though. I also have to work hard to keep myself connected to my why.

Here are some practical ideas to stay connected to YOUR why:

1. Post pictures or even post-it notes with your why or things that remind you of your why in places you will see them. If your goal is to work from home put a picture of your family next to your alarm clock. If you want to lose weight so you can feel healthy and vibrant like you used to then find  a picture of you at your healthiest and put it on the fridge.
2. Keep a journal and re-write your why often. I like to break down my goals and write my why out weekly.
3. Share your why with some key supporters--find the kind of people you know will remind you and encourage you when you are feeling weak OR if need be will come over and kick your behind out of bed.

If you are like me and sometimes feel yourself struggling to get things done and reach your goals, ask yourself if you know exactly why you want what you want. Find your why and then the what and the how will follow and no matter how big, how hairy, or how scary that goal is, if you have a why to match, you can reach it!! 

You know the saying that a good chicken noodle soup can "raise the dead?" Turns out there is good reason that a traditional Chicken soup is so healing. But we are not talking Campbells here. If you want to make a soup that will revive the sick make sure to follow these crucial steps:

1. USE BONE BROTH.  Bone broth is rich in amino acids, rich in minerals, and boosts immunity. Because it is full of gelatin, it is easy on the digestive tract and healing to the gut.

You can easily make your own. The most flavorful way to make a bone broth is using a roasted chicken. You can save the bones and remaining meat pieces from a dinner earlier in the week.  Simply place the chicken bones in a pot, cover with water, add 2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 20 min. The vinegar will help release the minerals from the bones. Bring the pot of water and bones to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer for hours. You can let the broth simmer all night if you want. The longer it simmers, the richer the broth will be. Just be sure to watch out for evapporation. You need to keep it on very low. As foam rises to the surface be sure to skim if off the top as any toxins float up to the top in the foam. This is an easy step although it does take a long time so I try to make a large batch and freeze some to have on hand.

TIMESAVER: If you are short on time many stores now carry pre-made organic chicken bone broth. I recently bought some at Costco. I question whether it is as good as homemade, but it is definitely better than boullion cubes or standard chicken broth. 

2. USE FRESH ORGANIC INGREDIENTS if possible to avoid the pesticides and to allow for better nutrient absorption.This applies to the chicken as well as the veggies. If you are tight on money consider the fact that using the whole chicken first as a meal and then using the bones to make a rich broth will allow you to make two meals out of one chicken.

3. USE FRESH HERBS. Parlsey is the standard and adding it just at the end of cooking will add extra vitamins. If you add it too soon the nutrients levels are reduced. Parsley is also known to have antibacterial properties and to aid digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients. Garlic and ginger can also be added both of which are known for their immunity boosting properties.

There are so many variations of chicken soup. Honestly I rarely follow a recipe because I use what vegetables and spices I have on hand. But here is a recipe that works well in the crockpot. 

Bone broth soup is a good idea to help boost immunity and make it through the cold winter months. Whether you are already dealing with sickness or just want to stay healthy, try incorporating this delicious food into your family's diet. 

For more info on the benefits of bone broth check out Wellness Mama's post on making bone broth. And if boosting immunity isn't enough to inspire you to drink more bone broth, check out this little factoid...

"What isn’t as well known is that broth can help reduce cellulite by improving connective tissue, increase hair growth/strength, improve digestive issues and remineralize teeth."

                                                                                                  -Wellness Mama

I think that makes a pretty good case for adding traditional bone broth into your diet! Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

10 Ways to Show A Friend You Care

This pregnancy has not been easy. I am done with the first trimester, but the nausea has not lifted...yet. Some new friends took pity on me this week and both, of their own initiative, brought us meals. Just as I was spiraling into a bit of a funk and feeling sorry for myself, these two reached out and offered to give me a break from cooking. The result? An attitude change from self-pity to gratitude, the realization that small gestures really do mean a whole lot, and some much needed extra time to recover.

I have many goals for 2017. There are so many things I want to do and things I want to improve on. One of those things is to build community and to reach out more. Small gestures and big alike can make such a huge difference. I knew that before, but this week and these lovely meals have reminded me that to reach out and think of others is so very important. I am so grateful for new friends and the wonderful community of people I am surrounded by!

Here are 10 Easy Ways to Show a Friend You Care: 

1. Offer them a meal.

2. Bring them a care package. Ginger tea for pregnant moms, tissues and cough drops for sickies, baby gifts or something to pamper new moms, etc.

3. Offer to help with laundry or housecleaning.

4. Come over to care for little ones so they can shower or nap.

5. Send them a thoughtful gift to brighten their day. Pick something that shows you thought about it.

6. Send Flowers

7. Spend time with them. Call them up and invite them to coffee or plan an outing.

8. Share ideas with them such as recommendations for shows to watch or books to read.

9. Send them some social media love. In person, or hand-written is best but it doesn't hurt to mention them on Facebook or Instagram as well. You can always shout out to the greater community so they send their love and prayers too.

10. Send them a card. Handwritten cards are rare these days and really show you care.

When you know someone is celebrating, celebrate with them. When you know someone is suffering show them you care. Building community is all about sharing in joys and sorrows and lifting each other up. 

The "Revolution of Love"

I have had a house full of sick little ones and in my efforts to slow down and be there for them (on the couch with snuggles, and tissues, and drinks), I have had a lot of time to reflect on the power of womanhood. Facebook is ablaze with posts about the Women's March. Tensions are high. Tempers are flaring. It is a sad thing to see so much hate and so much confusion over what it means to be a woman.

As I sat on the couch with my little babies, all I could think was that the "revolution of love" the REAL revolution of love, starts in the womb with a generous heart. It is made up of countless hours of worry and care for someone completely dependant on you for for their every need. The "revolution of love" starts when women are bold enough, brave enough, and generous enough, to deny themselves and choose life---when they give of themselves as only a woman can.

Women have always had tremendous power.  It may not always look like the glamorous power of politics or the corporate world, it isn't always noticed or rewarded, it certainly doesn't bring in a pay check.  But a woman gives life, nurtures that life, molds that life, and so molds the future. And not just the life of her children, but that of her husband, her friends, and her community as well. This incredible power comes with a price. It requires deep selflessness, it requires a choice to love more, and a committment to be better every day.

I do not mean to reduce a woman to her capacity to bring forth life. And even if I were to do so, that is an incredible thing in and of itself. But woman has in her very nature the ability to be "universal" to be adaptable, to reach out, and to nurture. Whether she remain single her whole life and work in the world, join a religious order, or marry and raise a family, it is a woman's unique ability to nurture life and to better her environment whatever it may be.

Let's not forget. Let's honor our womanhood, our femininity, our differences with men, by choosing love. Let's honor the generations of women before us who have shaped history through their own revolutionary love poured out daily in their homes and communities. Let us honor all those women who humbly built civilization with acts of everyday domestic charity and sacrificed themselves to create a better world. That is our legacy that is our inheritance and it is priceless.

If you want to be a part of the "revolution of love," choose life. Choose to love another more than you love yourself. Pour out your own heart into theirs and let them flourish. In so doing, you WILL change the world.

Bring on the REAL revolution of love!