Diet Season

I remember when I was a young teenager and would over hear people talking about diets. Even then, I didn't understand the purpose. I would hear women talking about wanting to lose weight so they were just not going to eat. Or, more wisely, they were going to change what they ate, but only until they lost the weight they wanted to lose. Back then, I thought, if you lose the weight by not eating or by denying yourself certain indulgences, temporarily, wouldn't the results also be temporary?

Now, I question all the diets out there. I know people who've tried the blood type diet and swear by it. I know people who've done paleo and ketogenic and swear by those, as well. There are so many different diets out there. I can support my friends who decide that one of these ways of eating is best for them. I'm happy they've found something that works for them. Personally, I see something in common with all of them. Not only do you choose to deny yourself certain foods, most of my friends who started them didn't just cut sugar and gluten, they also started eating more vegetables than they used to and, in some cases, drinking more water. That's my light bulb...

I already eat sustainably raised lamb and beef. Some of the chicken we eat comes from our farm, the rest comes from the store, but I tend to get organic when I can. I love mashed potatoes and I'll eat grains all day in various forms. My problem is, I'm *terrible* about eating produce and drinking plenty of water. I will buy it and sometimes I'll eat it and my family eats it, but I guarantee I have plenty of days when I really don't eat any.

For Lent, every year we've celebrated it, my husband and I have agreed to not eat sweets. I've even gone so far as to not eat baked grains unless I made them myself to make sure the sugar in them was from honey. But I've never really seen much of an improvement for me, just avoiding sugar and grains.

This year, I decided to try something different, and I dare say, I feel cleaner, fresher, and healthier on the inside. I started with a 24 hour fast, to adjust my thinking and spend time in prayer. During that time, I also focused on making sure I actually drank water, because I often go through the day sipping an oz or 2 here or there. After that, I made a goal. I am going to eat produce every day. Ridiculous, I know, because I should already be doing that.

To make it even easier, I decided to add them to my breakfast, just in case I didn't have them later. After all, people tend to be most motivated and inspired in the morning. I'm finding that, by doing this, I'm not only taking in vegetables, I'm doing it all through out the day and making wiser choices with what I eat.

I know, there are studies out there about that, but I get bored easily and if I'm going to read, it isn't going to be that.

Now, I will divulge that I am avoiding sweets, so I am taking in less sugar, though I haven't completely cut it out. (It's in the muffins I made yesterday. ) However, I will give credit of these fresh feelings to upping my H20 and produce intakes.

Now, if only I could muster enough motivation to be more active. Baby steps, I suppose.

Nature Calls

Such a beautiful day, the Lord blessed us with, today. The sun casting it's wonderful heat, gently down. The sky, a peaceful blue, with white puffy clouds scattered around it. The air, reminiscent of a cool, breezy spring day. Certainly beats the winter days that await us, this coming week.

I almost missed it.

I went to church and enjoyed learning about how my friend runs her class. I came home and feasted, a little too much, on left overs, pizza rolls, and ice cream. (I know... so healthy.) Then I tended to some farm chores. I fully intended on getting a shower after that last one, but my youngest 3 blessings had disappeared.

They weren't at their play area. They weren't in the house. I couldn't see them out front. Just as I was about to have a panic attack and start shouting at my older 3 to help me find them, blessing #2 spotted them through her window, on a trail.

At first, I was going to make them come back. I marched out there, to see what they were doing. But the sun felt so good and the air was so refreshing, that by the time I reached them, I was glad to stay outside with them.

I'm the type that usually gets caught up in all the things that HAVE to be done, that as much as I love the simple things in life, I have a hard time actually making time for them. There is just too much to be done.

That's one reason, I believe God created children. To remind us and inspire us to enjoy His creation. This was definitely evident on our adventure up and down the trail. About an hours worth of spontaneous exploration. Followed by time playing at their playground.

On this journey, we discovered torn up hornet nests,

signs of deer, the remaining feathers of a former bird,

patch after patch of raspberry canes, (which brings anticipation for our next harvest season). There were puff mushrooms,

goldenrod flies, and soft beds of needles under the pine tree canopies.

A world of wonder awaited us, and they eagerly journeyed into the depths of it and I with them.

True, there is plenty that still "needs" to be done. Things I haven't even started with, like never ending laundry. However, as my friend often reminds me, it's the memories that matter. The messes will be gone one day.

Scientist in the House

We often ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. We act like what they do now isn't as significant as what they will be doing.

My oldest blessing has taught me, kids already are. She already is a scientist. A degree may make it official and give her opportunities she won't have without it, but it will not make her a scientist. A degree doesn't give one the passion, fascination, exploration, or eagerness to know all you can. Whether she pursues an official title or not she IS a scientist.

Because of her we've added field guides to our library, collected animal bones and snake skins for display on our shelves, participated in Project Feeder Watch, and so much more.

She doesn't have to be asked to share the knowledge she has gained. When an opportunity strikes, she'll tell you all you will let her.

Today, I found a bird in my Christmas wreath. I was taking it down to put away and there, snuggled into the top, was a stiff and lifeless winged creature.

My instinct was to sadly dispose of it. But then, her father asked if she wanted us to keep it for her, since she is out working on a project. Of course, she did.

So here it lies, on a paper towel, on my kitchen counter. There it waits for her to examine it in person.

Why? Because she is a scientist. That is not all she is, for she has many skills, talents, gifts, abd passions. It is merely *something* she is.