Nutritional Recommendations

I am very passionate about certain things. In fact, I have a tendency to be a fanatic. The normal pattern usually follows that I get really excited about something and go all crazy. Eventually the novelty wears off than it's onto the next thing.

Over the years one thing has remained a constant however and that is my passion for nutrition. While I do indulge in the occasional Happy Meal and I'm addicted to Chili's chips and Salsa, I'm generally particular about what I feed my family.

I figure since I spent six years acquiring a degree in Human Anatomy with a focus in Nutrition I should pass the information along to all my beloved friends.

Starting today, and over the next few months, I will be posting some important nutritional recommendations.



Tip #1:
Try to avoid dining at "Sadie's Sandwhich Shop"..

Though she does use Whole Wheat Bread, the nutritional benefits are offset by the
3/4 cube of butter and 1/2 cup of honey.

Plus her sales pitch goes something like this:
"here, I made you a sanwich, I tried it, but it was yucky, so you can eat it".





Make sure to stand by more "what not to eat".

Where I'd rather Be.

Many mothers that stay home with their children including myself have used the familiar saying "no place I'd rather be". It occurred to me that at times there are many places I'd rather be.


Sunning on the white sandy beaches of Maui, sampling the exotic cuisine of Thailand, searching for wildlife in the Brazilian Rain forest, or even sitting in line at the DMV to name a few.


These "Other places" are especially tantalizing during Joyschool session that are not so joyful, or when potty training (my favorite subject) is more like POW training camp.


Sibling rivalry, Sharpie Graffiti, dents in Sheetrock, broken heirlooms, red juice / creme carpet, ripped books, scissors on the loose, pruning expensive artificial trees, realization that my anger is very angry & my patience very impatient, the list goes on....and on...and on..........


"No place I'd rather be" must refer to the rare, unexpected moments of sincere adulation given straight from the heart of my little darlings. The kind that defy description. A momentary burst of pure joy where time stands still.

In that moment an overwhelming confirmation of purpose occurs and despite the daily difficulty,

There is NO place I'd rather be.

Dancing Princesses

Global Warming?

Can someone please send some melting Polar Icecaps our way.

Bob and I have toyed with the idea of retuning to Southern Utah when our surprisingly extended Alaskan adventure comes to an end. We have even gone as far as to research property.

As Cedar City is my home town, it became a natural first choice. Despite the unyielding wind, all four seasons are represented and the winters are quit mild.

Many have suggested moving to St. George but with scorching 100+ summers, I was sure our Alaskan blood would congeal and we would wither.

Now after a terribly cloudy, cold summer and three inches of snow already on the ground, I'm beginning to have having second thoughts.

St. George is sounding better with each descending degree.

Missing Pieces

The last time I worked on a puzzle with my girls, I noticed that there were a few missing pieces. Though we put together what we had, we obviously couldn't see the whole picture with the gaping holes.


A few weeks ago, I received unexpected messages from dear childhood friends. It was then I realized the puzzle situation applied to me. I too was missing pieces -my picture was incomplete.

Call it Serendipity, Divine Intervention, or just plain luck. I happened to be traveling home the same weekend as two of them.

We met at Brads' food Hut. A local icon that marks the turnaround spot when "draggin main" in our home town, Cedar City.

It had been almost 15 years since I had seen or spoken with either one. Yet despite the passing of time, there was no discomfort, no awkward pauses, and no hesitation as we reminisced about good times and filled each other in on our new lives.

It made me realize that good friends touch our lives and fill an important space. They are links to the past, a reminder about who we are, and where we came from.

I am so grateful to have them back in my life, I guess in a way they were never gone. Just temporarily missing.

Mama Mia

I would run another 26 miles if I could leave my kids for another week like this.

The hotel mixed up our reservation, we ended us with a sweet suite.

Ahhhhh...the picture says it all.

We had front row seats to Mama Mia, it was a total blast.

Horsing Around

The Alaska State Fair continues to be a family tradition. Even with Bob somewhere in the wilderness hunting winter meat for his woman, this year was no exception. From the 941 pound pumpkin to the newly hatched chicks excitement abounded at every turn. The highlight of the adventure aside the overpriced, cardiovascular blocking cuisine was definitely the pony ride. I hope this newly discovered fascination with large animals will allow me to replace our sultry Barbies with the Black Stallion Collection.
Throughout the day, wining was kept to a minimum, arguments were few and the girls were entertained for an entire seven hours. I'm considering purchasing an industrial fryer and becoming an equestrienne.

More than Just talk

For those who would argue that blogging is simple chat, let me offer a contrasting opinion. There is much to be gained through networking with individuals willing to offer their talents. I stumbled across a very helpful blog recently that changed the way I operate.
Running a household of 3 girls requires that I manage four heads of hairs daily. For all you number people that totals 5,402 hair sessions in the past five years. Needless to say I am ready for fresh ideas. I want to personally thank Jess for her creative genius and educational tutorials.
And don't be deterred by my sloppy first attempt. If you have girls, I recommend you check out It's a girl Thing - hair by Jess. The link is under Inspirations.

Not So Hot Lunch

Although I've read the school lunch program has been revamped. The result remain a far cry from the meals served at South Elementary my Alma Mater. And unlike the kids of this generation, we were never allowed to waste our food. A stout lunch lady made sure all courses were consumed before we could dump small remnants in the slop bucket destined for Mr. Garfield's pigs. Everthing was homemade right down to the hamburger buns that looked more like dry dinner rolls, the kind I would make. Still I shall complain no more. Hot lunch saves me at least 8 desperately needed minutes each morning. So until Kira can make, package, and clean up her own sack lunch, freeze dried tater-tots are king.

The Wild

On Monday morning I came to the shocking realization that summer is quickly fading. I determined then and there to take the girls and plunge into the wilderness while we still had a chance. We scouted out wild blueberries at Flatop, Cooked tinfoil dinners at McHugh Creek and fished for Pinks in Hope. Having exposed them to the wonder of nature, we are settling in for 9 months of H2Oasis, & McDonald's playland.

Sisters

Laura, Kristi, and Rachel
I have all kinds of sisters. Two stepsisters, eight sister-in-laws, adopted sisters, and Alaskan sisters. All are important and wonderful. All fill my life with love & laughter, purpose & possibility. These are the sisters I was born and raised with. We share the same parents, childhoods and stickly wrists (thanks grandma Kay). They supports, inspire and amaze me.
I am blessed to be a sister.

Bye, Bye Baby- Bye, Bye

It's official, Baby Brie attended her first Nursery class Sunday. She has now entered Toddler-hood. Typical third child style, she had no trouble causing trouble with the big kids. She was stealing toys and stompin toes with the best of them.

For the entire two hours, she danced, sang, and played.She especially loved the songs, games, and snacks. Although I'm sure the teachers will think twice next time about filling her paper cup so full.

Sadie loves being the veteran of the class. She is teaching Brie all her tricks including fishing for goldfish crackers off your neighbors napkin. All afternoon she reminded her friends that she was Brie's big sister. What a great big sister she is.

the Storm Drain

It all began as a few handfuls of pebbles; pl-ink, plank, plunk. From there it has grown into an uninterrupted succession of vandalism and high treason against the ruler of the house. The wretched storm drain. My children are unexplainable drawn to it. I simply ask that contents thrown down the drain remain small in size and generally useless. A simple, reasonable rule entirely ignored.

Today the garden stake, yesterday the Old Navy sock (a lovely shade of green). The day before a twelve pack of Crayola watercolor paints. The most agonizing loss aside the set of keys, complete with remote auto-start were 10 perfectly formed, tenderly cared for Peony buds. Only warmth-staved Alaskans can appreciate the value of a summer bloom. In one swift deed the storm drain became enemy #1.

The controlling allure over my children I fail to comprehend. They are willing to risk life and limb (literally) to feed it. Nothing begged, threatened, or warned has curbed the three disturbing sounds: pl-ink, plank, plunk.