"Do Not Engage"

When this phrase was uttered to me last week, I thought, "Is this lady crazy? Does she not know who I am?" But after some time I wondered if it was possible for me to not engage people or situations. 

Then the test came...

On Friday, I asked Miss Traditionalist to get her shoes on so that we could go on a jog. She stood up and declared, "ugh!! Mom!!! I hate jogging!" Then proceeded to get her shoes on vocalizing her dismay the whole time. Being the awesomely, great mom that I am :-) I would have normally responded with sarcasm and mocking lol. This time however, I chose "not to engage" and after a couple of minutes Miss Traditionalist calmed down and came to me. She explained that she doesn't like running and wishes it could be like it use to be when we bonded over pizza and a movie.

I am learning that it's important that my kids see me living my life, being healthy and enjoying it. Do I love running? Definitely not!! Do I love spending time with my family? Yes, very much! So, to help me enjoy running and encourage the kids to do the same, they join me. They hate it until I begin racing them. I never win but I enjoy the challenge and they enjoy "playing" with me. On the weekend they especially love jogging once they figure out our destination is Jamba Juice. 

Exercise does not have to be those dreaded minutes we spend sweating and getting no where fast. Wake up and decide today to jog to the mailbox and back. Then, jog to the corner store and back. Challenge your kids, husband, boyfriend, brother or sister to a race. My favorite are 3-legged races :-)

Miss Traditionalist eventually ran with me. I knew she would. But the restraint I demonstrated by not engaging and the respect I showed her by my lack of sarcasm spoke volumes.

Our journey continues....

"Exercise"

That word makes the control freak inside me cringe. What is "exercise"? How many minutes is enough to make someone fit? 30? 45? Are minutes even enough? When i was young 45 min to an hour of doing grapevines with Jane Fonda was enough. Then it was 20 minutes of Buns of Steel. Today, there's yoga, pilates, cross fit, treadmills, ellipticals, P90X, Insanity and Zumba...Whew! Did i cover all of them? Ha! Not even close lol. 

So, what's the perfect combination of exercise and time? BEATS ME!

What i do know is that you have to do whatever routine you find that realistically fits into your life. It should be an added bonus to your lifestyle, not a hinderance. During my journey I have found that exercise is not as important as movement is. Find what you like to do and do it. Always try new things. Remember you never know what you can do until you try to do it.

This weeks workout routine is simple and my loved ones can do it with me if they wish.

• Monday- 12 minute crossfit, 20 min walk
• Tuesday- 30 minute jog
• Wednesday- 12 minute crossfit, 20 min walk
• Thursday- rest day
• Friday- 12 minute crossfit, 20 min walk
• Saturday- 1 hour walk(today to the library) or 3 mile jog
• Sunday- 15 min walk, 10 min jump rope interval 

Crossfit Routine I follow is a 90 day challenge found at www.bikinibodymommy.com

Our journey continues with truth in exercise.

"Mom, why can't we just have cereal?!"

Sitting at breakfast this morning, Mr. Free Spirit says, "Mom, why can't we just have cereal?"

In my house I get asked this question more often than not. I could endure the eye rolls and head nods as I re-state the many reasons cereal is "bad" for us.

1. Preservatives (BHT)
2. Additives (Food Dyes)
3. Refined Sugars
4. Simple Carbs

But why focus on the "bad" when the "good" is so much better, right?

Our home does not "just have cereal" because I know our bodies and brains need pure fuel to function. Fuel is provided by proteins, vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats found in whole foods. 

After years of conditioning we have forced our brains and bodies to use refined sugar, simple carbs and additives as fuel. In doing so, whole foods can "taste different or weird" and in some cases, leave a void. I suspect our addiction to refined sugar is to blame. But that is a topic for another day. So, how do I get the Free Spirit and Traditionalist in my home to enjoy whole food? Well, I become a food ninja and we have desert for breakfast. Yes, you read that right. We have desert! And Fall is the perfect time of year to do this. A favorite in our home is pumpkin cereal.

Pumpkin Cereal Recipe for 4 

Ingredients

1/2 Cinderella pumpkin, cut into 1/2-1inchsquares 

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 tablespoons of honey, depending on your sweet tooth 

1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 

1 cup almond milk, divided

4 tablespoons sliced almonds, divided

4 tablespoons shredded unsweetened raw coconut, divided

4 tablespoons dried orange flavored cranberries

Directions:

Cook the cut pumpkin on the stove with coconut oil, cinnamon and honey for 20-30 min on medium, low heat. I like to prepare lunches, do my cross fit or fix my hair until the pumpkin is tender but not mushy. Once the pumpkin is done, divide into 4 bowls. Add the evenly divided milk, almonds, coconut and cranberries and enjoy.

A Journey to Truth

Hello. My name is Sarah and this is my journey to truth. What truth you ask, well that will be determined as time goes on. My journey begins the same as everyone else's...with the alarm clock.

Just like everyone, my agenda for the day includes waking up, exercising, showering, food, school, work and bed. Sounds pretty cut and dry right? 

Like any story, there's always a twist...

My household is comprised of, a control freak, a free spirit, an optimist and a traditionalist. We eat mostly"clean", "whole" foods, exercise and live on a budget. 

Our journey begins with truth in food.