In my attempts to become a domestic diva, I'm planning a raised bed vegetable garden for this spring/summer/fall. I've meticulously picked out which vegetables I want to grow, and in true OCD form, made a blue print of how I want the garden set up (down to the dimension sizes of the boxes that I need).
I've told Husband that this is all I want for a Birthday, Anniversary and Valentines present. I've volunteered him and my Father-in-law (who knows nothing of this venture) to also make me a beautiful little gate area around my soon to be gorgeous garden. I'm thinking something similar to this (with an adorable little hand written sign declaring its' family namesake).
In addition to this, I've already started collecting recipes and am in the beginning stages of learning to can my bountiful vegetables. My dear mother has graciously given me her old canning system, which has an attachment to make your own tomato juice! I even have offers from friends to let me use their compost (God knows how I will transport) and help me maintain the "Bryan Bounty of 2011."
I've decided to do all of this in the manner of frugality and healthiness. I can't help but be excited, but at the same time I know that this will be a TON of work. We will see how this goes....I have never had a garden or maintained one.
Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy. ~Astrid Alauda
“Juvenile delinquency would disappear if kids followed their parent's advice instead of their example”
As a parent, I strongly believe that it is our responsibility to create accountability and less coddling of our children to make sure that they succeed. It is too often that I hear of ADD, ADHD, or God knows what other mental "ailments" parents use as excuses as to why a child can't or won't excel. I wonder what my life would be like if my parents hadn't let into my brattiness and just forced me to study more. A few years back I heard a comedian joke that our parents don't discipline us to not hurt our feelings just to have us grow up and blame them for every inadequacy that we have as adults. I don't find this nearly as funny now that I am looking at it from the parent perspective.
Although the authors methods are over the top, I can't necessarily say that I disagree with everything that this woman is saying (aside from insulting your child to get them motivated. Um, no. That is wrong).
One line in particular has lingered : "Chinese mothers assume children start from a position of strength whereas Western mothers assume weakness as the starting point. That is crucial and many would do well to seriously ponder the statement." I can already see what an amazingly strong and wonderful woman Lillian will be and I want to be as knowledgeable as possible to help her succeed.
I do believe that a large portion of the childhood behavior problems that we are dealing with as a society is linked to the crap that we consume. I recently found an article that states: "Kids that eat foods high in sugar or refined carbs, such as white rice, white flour products can experience a drop in blood glucose which can affect their mood.[These foods] can trigger the release of regulatory counter “stress” hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These are the “fight or flight” hormones that make us fidgety, irritable, and anxious"
Unfortunately the shift in mood does not end with carbs. Early on-set of puberty can be linked to the growth hormones found in Cow's Milk. Scary! One article states: "Cow's milk has a high fat content, high levels of biologically available hormones and growth factors, and other chemical contaminants from highly medicated cows fed environmental trash (chicken feces and diseased carcasses, for instance). These are all linked to early puberty and proliferation of cancer cells in human reproductive organs." (Stoll BA. Western diet, early puberty and breast cancer risk. Breast Cancer Res Treat (England) Jun 1998;49(3):187-93.) For more information on the disgusting treatment and conditions of mass produced meat and milk products check out the book Skinny bitch: a no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!
A few years ago I participated in an amazing weight-loss program called Optifast. You only consume 3 protein shakes and have 2 snacks a day for 90 days. While on the program I can honestly say it was the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I can only assume it is because I was getting all of the nutrients that my body needed without loading it with an excess of bad carbs and high fructose corn syrup. Unfortunately, I did gain the weight back during a stressful period of life (thank you wine and carb binge sessions!) and now I'm trying to get on the right track to live a healthier life for Miss Lilly. I have also been blessed with a Husband that has the metabolism of a hummingbird. He literally does not gain weight and as we mature he is becoming more and more attractive. I don't know what more motivation a girl could need.
As Lilly gets older and starts eating, it is my personal goal to give her only the best. HOWEVER, I am forced to do this on a limited budget and while working full time. It is extremely difficult. I am struggling with ideas to give my child the best that I possibly can with the time and money that I am alloted. I want this blog to map my progress as I discover healthy discipline, food and activities to help Miss Lilly (and myself) develop into productive members of society. This means that I need to discipline myself before I am able to pass on anything to her. It is time that I force myself to accept that I was born into strength rather than weakness and that my example will do wonders for the personality development of my child. It is possible and I look forward to tracking this journey with you guys.
Husband's 30th birthday is tomorrow. To honor him through blog, I'm posting this video (Husband is 3rd from the right):
Husband has the amazing opportunity to earn a degree in Music Technology through IPFW and Sweetwater Sound (Indiana-Purdue University of Fort Wayne) with a major in Classical Guitar. He's so amazingly talented; I'm thrilled for him to have this opportunity. So many things have happened in the 2 semesters that he's been enrolled that have proven to us that this is absolutely what he is destined to do with his life. His talent is why I initially fell in love with him, and I'm happy to support him.
While he is pursing this opportunity, I am working full-time and proud to call myself the bread-winner. I am willing to sacrifice for the betterment of our little family. I know it bothers Husband because it's a role-reversal, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love him and want him to excel and be as happy as he can be in this life.
With that being said, I've recently been schooling myself in the act of Frugality. This is all new for me because I'm admittedly spoiled by my parents and have never really had to want for much. However, in this stage of life I've had to push myself to continue producing breast milk even though Lilly won't feed off of me anymore so that we won't blow through formula as quickly. She's eating cereal now, so thats a huge help. Now I'm planning on making her baby food. Not only is an extremely healthy option, I'm also a huge nerd when it comes to food preparation. I have about a month to prepare for this next endeavor, so I'm still doing research. I do know that I plan on purchasing this book:
Along with this handy dandy BabyBullet system to prepare and store everything (note the smiley faces):
So far my research has shown me that these appear to be the best 2 items I can buy.
I think I'm experiencing my first bout of competitiveness as a Mother. God help us all.
Regardless of my new found competitive streak, its important that I compete because we simply do not have the money. So even though I may be annoying my facebook or twitter friends, I'm posting the link to the frugal novice as much as possible to increase my chances of winning. Am I annoyed with myself? Yes. Do I have a choice? Not really. I'm ok with that though. Being broke allows one to be more creative. I'm especially thankful for this stage life because I'm learning ways to make life exceptional and will pass the lessons onto my daughter, just as my parents have attempted to do with me. I'm beginning to believe that lessons such as these are what life is all about. When we sacrifice for our loved ones and find creative ways to exist to our fullest potential, doesn't it make the world a better place? I'm beginning to think so.
"By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest." Agesilaus
