Juicing Day Numbers 2 and 3

Ok, so I did NOT write on the second day, but it was not for lack of energy. I had said in the previous post that on the days when I work, was going to be the true test of the energy I would receive from juicing. Well......Not only did I have the energy to get through my 5 hour class of 2 year olds, but maintained the energy level. I even, had enough energy, that when I picked up my kiddos from school, I didn't do the usual of fold laundry and watch Dr Phil till time to fix dinner just to get enough of a burst of energy to get through the rest of the evening. No, I came home, took the dog out, and cleaned out my kitchen.

I sort of laughed at myself thinking about how I was acting and wondering when the great crash was going to come.

Today, was another day of energy. We had our classroom Halloween party at school today. I had to dress up (pippi longstalking) and entertain the kids as well as their families. It was a fury of crafts, trick or treating, painting pumpkins, pumpkin bowling and stories about 5 little pumpkins.

It really was a great school day.

I did however visit our local health food store on the way home and was schooled on all things juicing. Did not realize how very important it is to juice with ORGANIC fruits and vegetables. I understand about the idea of no pesticides and how its always good to eat clean, but the idea of taking a pesticide filled and covered cucumber and drinking it, well, there are no words. The pesticides are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. That absolutely scared the tar out of me. I was also given a number of recipes for some good green juices. I am very excited to try them.

Here are a couple of them, and I will post more.

Green Lemonadeorganic,

1 Green Apple

3 Handfuls of Spinach

6-8 Kale leaves

1/2 Cucumber

4 Celery Stalks

1/2 Lemon

Mean Green

1 bulk of Kale

4 stalks of Celery

1 Cucumber

2 Granny Smith Apples

1/2 Lemon

thumb sized ginger root

I am very excited to try these variations. I learned today that Lemon really aids in detox and that if you are Diabetic (as I am) then you should only juice with a Granny Smith Apple. I have been Diabetic for 21 years, and have never heard this before. It is said that Granny Smith Apples do not have as much sugar in them as the others apples do. Makes total sense when you have had many apples and taste the sweet and tart difference of them. I also learned that the combo of fresh spinach mixed with about 5 strawberries, an apple and about 5 carrots makes for a really yummy drink.

I think tomorrow I will try an Apple-Beet-Carrot recipe.

1 Apple

2Beets (I think I will try just 1)

3 Large Carrots

1 piece of Ginger

bunch of Kale or Spinach

Happy Juicing:)

Juicing Day 2:

So this morning I woke up with excitement to try out a new juice. For my kiddos, I prepared a glass o carrot, orange and apple juice. Oranges and carrots help to build up the immune systems, and we are in a storm of everyone at school and church sick with something. We as a family have made the choice for the past couple of years to vaccinate for the flu, but instead double up on vitamin D3 , a good multi, good hand washing and lots of vitamin c. I feel like I could make this juicing for them in the mornings to sip on the way to school. They were a little hesitant to try it, after seeing the carrots being juiced in it. Surprise!!!! THEY LOVED IT!!!

I was so excited and inspired to let them help me pick out somethings to juice for my morning glass. They chose and orange, an apple, fresh cranberries and about 5 carrots and one more veggie, that really made it fantastic and refreshing.....a cucumber. The combination of cranberry and cucumber was quite surprising to me how great it really was. I started thinking about the numerous benefits of just went in that glass.

Here is MY list....I am sure that there are many more veggies and fruits to juice that have more benefits than I can even imagine, but after 2 hours of looking up all these fruits and veggies to juice this is what I came up with. Please, if you have any recipes or more great info on the benefits, do share.

Apples - acne, cholesterol, obesity

Asparagus - eczema, acne, impotence

Beets - liver cleaner, PMS, cancer

Berries - bladder, infections, high blood pressure, fatigue, colds, sore throat

Broccoli - vitamin A, K, and C - antioxidants

Cabbage - cancer, diabetes, weight loss, ulcers

Carrots - immune system, skin, lungs, intestines

Celery - kidneys, Vitamin E,C,A and B Complex

Cherries - anti aging, headaches, arthritis and gout

Cranberries - urinary tract

Cucumber - liver, dry skin, sunburn, healthy hair and nails

Ginger - stomach and blood sugar levels

Grapes - kidneys, liver, muscle spasms, teeth and hot flashes

Lemons - Vitamin C , cancer

Kale - Vitamin A and C, Calcium and good source of Iron

Oranges - Vitamin C, cold symptoms, immune system builder

Papayas - colon, Vitamin A,B,C flavonoids and digestion

Parsley - blood cleansers, digestion, kidneys and bad breath

Pears - Vitamin C, B2, E and Potassium

Pineapple - wounds, bruises, arthritis, gout, sinuses, varicose veins, hemorrhoids

Spinach - heart disease, acne, colon, arthritis, constipation

String Beans - blood clotting, colon, diabetes

Tomatoes - liver, PMS, yeast infections, prostate, obesity

Watermelon - cholesterol, blood pressure, weight loss, prostate

Zucchinis - liver

All my info is from various places on the grand ol' Internet. I did find this tidbit of info from a great website called lovelymom.com

It has alot of great information about juicing specifically for kids and some recipes I sure will try soon. Here is a snippet of what she says are the basic benefits of juicing....

The body quickly absorbs large amounts of nutrients from juice than from
solid foods because the process of digestion necessary when you eat whole foods
is bypassed Enzymes in fresh fruits and vegetables play a vital role in
converting food into body tissue and energy Enzymes help to increase
metabolism Juicing ensures a sufficient amount of phytochemicals to help
fight diseaseAntioxidants are immune enhancing properties concentrated in
juice.The concentration of antioxidants in fresh juice will also combat the
damaging effects of free radicals on the skin and contribute to a glowing
complexion.

Ok, now that I have shared all that great info, I still look over all this info and get excited about what combos I can make and what will be the benefits.

I must admit, that though I had a great juice experience this morning, and ran after, (great start to the day) then, well my husband called this afternoon and took me out for greasy, fried, sodium filled Chinese food for lunch. I was NOT able to turn his invitation down. Since that moment I have made not so great choices with my food. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. I do however have to work, so I am curious how my energy level will stay while teaching 10 - 2 year olds. That will be the true test.

We shall see!!!

Juicing day 1:
So Saturday I went to a little garage sale down the street and as I bummed around I saw tables and tables full of junk. As I was just about to leave, I noticed a little piece of equipment.....that little appliance that I have researched and desired????? There she was, all covered in dirt and grime and sitting among tools covered in cobwebs, my juicer. I was so excited and to make it even better, only for $2. I searched through my purse to find two dollars, whether in change or cash, I was going to buy this. I quickly paid the man and grabbed my juicer before he could realize what he was selling.
I went home, cleaned and scrubbed my sweet find and swiftly darted off to the computer to look up all things juicing. I found a million reasons why and all the benefits of why juicing is such a great idea. I am not in poor health by any means, but I am however struggling with some health issues such as Type 1 Diabetes and low Thyroid. I struggle with extreme fatigue and lethargy as well as hormonal issues. There are several little other health things that have found there way to me, but I am determined to fight like hell to keep them at bay.
As I read about the benefits, I thought, "Why have I not done this before and what else can I prevent in the future". Not only were the recipes for different ailments like, bladder, liver, immune boosting, but.....ANTI AGING!!! Oh man I cant wait to try that one too. After cleaning out my new little gift to myself, I cleaned off whatever veggie and fruit I had on hand to try. I cleaned a beet, an apple, a piece of Ginger, and about 4 carrots. I was so excited to see the beautiful juice colors pour out of the machine and into my beautiful glass before me. I took a small sip and them a bigger one. It really was not all that bad. I could for sure taste the earth of the beet, but the aftertaste was very sweet and quite enjoyable.
My goal for juicing and keep this journal is to really see the affects that juicing will have on my body and mind and appearance. I know that I will never be a size 2. I have stretch marks from my two beautiful children, I have hips, I have flaws, but I want to be as healthy as possible with the body and the life that God has blessed me with. My body is the temple of God, and so It is time I start treating myself as such. I don't want to medicate instantly, but rather look to other alternatives for treatment and maybe ward off any other sicknesses and ailments. I want to be around for my beautiful family for a long time and I want to feel and look my best as much as I can. So, here we go......
To sum it all up for now, I have come up with a large list of veggies and fruits and all the specific ailments that they are capable of treating. I will post those at a later date. As I play with and prepare new recipes, I will keep you posted for sure. Tomorrow, orange, carrot and apple juice breakfast before my morning run.

LEARNING TO BREATHE

Here we are, almost a full 3 weeks into homeschool year. We have already had so many things go on, that I wonder why it is called "Home" school for us, we never seem to be home. We spend our mornings and afternoons in full learning mode that by the time that school is over with for the day our brains are exhausted and hurt. I crave nap time after a full morning of math!! Being that yesterday was Labor day, we were able to take a needed break and just relax. We shut off the phone, and our brains and just enjoyed being together, fishing, swimming, building sand castles and laying in the lake. We found (at the suggestion of a great friend) this fantastic place nearby. It is only a short 45 min drive from our home and it's called "MoonShine Beach". I have lived here for many years, yet have never been there nor heard of it before. Yesterday as I sat in the lake, just relaxing (and getting very burned), I realized I wasn't stressing about the house, the car, the bills, the kids and our future, and I for sure was not stressing about what to have for dinner. There were moments when my thoughts drifted away from the day and I would begin to think about the many task for the next day but then I would correct myself and say we don't have a stress filled day ahead of us. We don't have to worry whether all the homework is done before piling it all back into our bags and cramming everything in them. I didn't have to worry whether I had packed their lunch and made sure all papers were signed and ready to go. I so enjoyed my day yesterday and can not wait to go back and rest some more.



It really was a much needed break from the first few weeks of school and all the adjustments that were made. Last week, I had moments when I felt like I was failing my son and keeping him hindered. I felt like I wasn't giving him all that I could give him or all that he needed. I had great moments of head in hands and wanting to give up. I had a good friend, who also homeschools, give me the best advice ever. She said that who better to teach your child then you. It is my job as his mother to teach him and that I am not failing him, but giving him more than I could even think up.

I know that someday's there will be doubt, but I do know deep down that this is the plan and the path that God has set for us. I am excited to teach him and see what happens next. I am exciting to take field trips to the zoo, pumpkin patch and apple orchard. I am excited to see what ideas he thinks up for science class and am very excited to see were his imagination goes with each new day.

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Albert Einstein

Summer of Fun

Life is never what I expect and sometimes really what I want, but it is what it is and it is exactly what I need.

New Adventures

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”

I had not posted in awhile, so I wanted to post some recent pics of the house. I finally was able to finish the painting of the kitchen and dining room. I am very delighted in the outcome of the walls. I truly am inspired to create when I am in the kitchen. Though we have not yet finish, we are getting there. We have decided to place wainscoting on the bottom half of the walls in the dining room. I think it will really give off a rustic ,vintage look to it. We still are planning for new flooring, but we can not find or decide on anything. I have realized that shopping for home decor/flooring/wall coverings........it is a true test on a marriage!!! LOL These are not the best pictures, as all I have is my phone for now, but......


Not only have we taken on the project of fixing and renovating the home, but have embarked on a new journey.......Homeschool!!

I have never been more scared and excited all rolled into one. We have finished our first week, and I feel pretty confident that this will get better and better with each passing day. Our son is attending a homeschool/shared school. He attends there twice a week and then three days a week he is home for me to teach. We are using the Abeka curriculum and so far so good. I have to say I am very impressed with my critical thinking skills as well as coming up with some great tools for learning. Yesterday was one of our best days so far. We start each day at 7am, getting dressed eating together and getting ready to start the day. Around 7:45, we begin with pledges and bible class as well as a time to just pray for the day and get started on the right foot. (It really does make a HUGE difference). Yesterday, we did math class and was very impressed by how quickly Camden picks up on numbers. I am trying to teach him to memorize the tables and no finger and toe counting, and he really is getting it. We added and subtracted with dominos and pennies and did multiplication with dimes and nickles. By the time science class came around we were tired and ready to be done. We talked about how God created us perfectly and how everything in our bodies is so perfect in form. It reminds me of
Pslams 139: 13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body,
and you knit me together in my mothers womb.
Thanks you for making me so wonderfully complex!
It is amazing to think about.
Your workmanship is marvelous - and how well I know it.
You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.
Every day was recorded in your book.

Anyway, we did some science projects and went over all that we needed to discuss. There is nothing like seeing your child get excited about learning and education. When they want to keep going and not stop..... Made me realize I am doing the right thing for my kids. It was a tough decision, one not taken lightly. Yes, It would have been easier to take him someplace and have someone else teach my son for the next 10 years, but who else is better to teach and love and know my son then me???
There was a moment this morning, when the house was quiet, Camden was doing his work at the table and Brenna was doing some art. The windows were open and the wind was calmly blowing in. I was sitting in the sunlight and looking at my beautiful life. It just feels right. I can't help but be thankful that my children have the opportunity to learn in an encouraging, quiet, peaceful environment. I think about haw last year Camden was one of 300 kids, 25 in his class alone and the noise would make anyone go insane. Thankfully we are in a new place of our lives. I know that we will have good days and bad days, and some days I will just want to throw in the towel and give up, but I have to hold on to what I know is right for my family and trust that God will see us through that situation and moment.

Thinking Out of the Box...My box!!

Now that I have finished painting the kitchen cabinets and the trim, it has come to the time to pick a paint color. I keep going back and forth with all the variety of colors. There are so many reds, greens, blues, browns......too many colors to choose from. I am realizing that each color brings about different emotions and and feelings. I can't seem to make any sort of decisions as well as not being able to stick to one job at a time. I did however do some gardening....which by the way has really taken off and exploded with beautiful colors, fruits and veggies. I did a little landscaping and transplanting. The yard is starting to look pretty nice. I am anxious to see what comes next spring.






Anyhoo, back to the color situation, It really has become a situation for me and alot of anxiety stricken moments as I make my way up to the paint counter at our local wal-mart. I just can not commit. So, I started doing some research on colors. (Yes, I know I am a nerd with issues) So, apparently Red means: It is the color of fire and blood. It is associated with war and energy and desire. It enhances human metabolism and increases blood pressure. Ok, lets be honest, it really sound exciting!!! I need a little of all that red brings. LOL Green: I guess green symbolizes harmony, freshness, growth and FERTILITY????? As much as I love having babies and being a mom, I don't need help with that. I guess it also aides in digestion and improves your vision. Browns:Well, Brown means solid and reliable. That pretty much sums up brown!! I want to know how they came up with all this info. I would have loved to have been apart of a study like this. I would have made a great "lab rat". It all really seems ridiculous, but in reality, think of the feelings you have when you walk into a restaurant and the walls are painted a neutral color and the feeling you have when you enter a restaurant with bright bold colors and decorations that demand your attention. I think there might be something to all this color science. After all that research, I wiped the sweat off my brow and began to really think about my "vision" for the kitchen. RED!! RED, RED, RED, RED!!! That seems to be the only color that excites me and gives me a desire to cook up and create beautiful and flavorful dishes. I feel as though it might awaken something in me with my love for food and the dishes I will create. I have not even painted my walls, and yet I am stimulated and ready to go. Good sign right??? Blood pressure rising already!!!! So, all that being said, white trim, white cabinets, RED walls!!!!! Pics to come!!!