May is Celiac Awareness Month

Chances are you know someone with Celiac disease. This autoimmune condition affects 1 out of every 133 Americans. This disease occurs because of a body’s inability to absorb foods properly. This is due to a toxic reaction caused by gluten which, in turn, actually damages the small intestine. Gluten is found in all forms of wheat, so any product containing wheat must be avoided.

The most common symptoms of Celiac disease are:

-Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas

-Distention and bloating of the stomach

-Chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)

-Steatorrhea (fatty stools)

-Anemia – unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)

-Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain

Other symptoms may include:

-Dental enamel defects

-Osteopenia, osteoporosis

-Bone or joint pain

-Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy

-Infertility – male/female

-Depression

-Mouth ulcers

-Delayed puberty

-Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

-Migraine headaches

Check out the Celiac Disease Foundation for more information. Publix has a shopping list for those on a gluten-free diet, and most restaurants actually have a gluten-free menu from which you can order.

Running Around in Circles

I normally do not look forward to running laps around my neighborhood. It gets rather dull seeing the same thing over and over. However, after a wild and crazy week of school activities and a golf tournament fundraiser, I actually couldn’t wait to get out of bed this morning and hit the pavement. I crept out of the house before my husband and kids awoke, and began a much needed run. It was just me and the half moon, and I thought of nothing of significance.   I enjoyed the stillness around me and knew I had nothing too pressing on me as I face this week. Running is my outlet.

Love Bugs Burn Calories

I know I said I was taking a break from blogging this week, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let you know that scrubbing love bugs off your car IS a workout! See how many calories you burn while washing the car. 🙂

Commitment

I began teaching the book of Ruth last week to the youth during Sunday School. This is my favorite book of the Bible. I love the parallel between the courtship of Boaz and Ruth and the pursuing love of Jesus and us. Only God can orchestrate such a beautiful story of redemption and love!

Our focus today was on Chapter 2 as Ruth sets out to glean in the fields in order to provide for her mother-in-law and herself. I emphasized the significance of commitment- Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, Boaz’s commitment to both Ruth and Naomi, and, ultimately, both of their commitments to loving and trusting the Lord.

Unfortunately, just in the past day, I have been in touch with three different individuals who are facing struggles in their marriages for various reasons. I am reminded that commitments can be hard to keep at times, and that it is only through the power of Christ that we can see them through.

Due to some hurting hearts surrounding me, several end-of-the-school-year activities, and our youth golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday, I am committing myself to these needs and taking a week break from blogging. I covet your prayers for all those, in my life and yours, who are facing attacks from the enemy. For our battle is not against one another- it against the prince of this world.

Whole Foods Field Trip Recap

Today was our “field trip” to Whole Foods. It was a great time with great friends! Our day began with lunch at Seasons 52. Our table was arrayed with garlic chicken flatbread, buffalo- in the form of a burger and in a bowl of chili, and spinach salad with raspberries, pine nuts, and gorgonzola. Lunch was finished with mini indulgences of chocolate peanut butter mousse and rocky road.

After a shopping opportunity at IKEA, we headed over to Whole Foods. It is a much more productive and enjoyable experience when you are childless for the day! I was able to pick up some old favorites like Pirate’s Booty, Larabars, and, my personal addiction, cornbread from their bakery (see picture below- ahhhhh!). I also picked up some new items to try including Kashi’s latest additions, Indigo Morning cereal and Simply Maize cereal. I bought a box of 365 mac and cheese. This must be tested and approved by the kids before I purchase it again. Tonight we tried Stonyfield Farms’ Minty Chocolate Chip frozen yogurt- yummy!! Because this day was such a success, trip #2 is already in the works. So if you missed this one, we will be heading back over sometime this summer.

Summer Book Club!

I am excited about beginning a summer book club! If you would like to join us, we will be reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.  This book is about the “busyness” that we, as women, face and finding a balance between resting in God and serving. We will be meeting every other Monday evening beginning June 13th, and will be discussing 2-3 chapters each meeting. Please let me know if you are interested in meeting with us. The book can be purchased online for around $12 or $13, or we can order a pack together to save a few bucks. I hope you will join us! If you live in another part of the country, I challenge you to join a book club or Bible study this summer when our schedules are not so hairy and we have a little extra time to relax.

Squeezing It All In

It’s been a very hectic week and will continue to be crazy around our house for the next week and a half. I have every excuse not to exercise, but have even more reasons why I will NOT miss my workouts.  It’s hard to drag my tired body out and get it running. When I’m feeling sluggish, it takes several minutes for my legs to find their pace and for my breathing to find its rhythm, but once everything is working together, my energy picks up and the world is gone for the rest of my run. I am unconcerned with what is to be done. Rather, I am focused on the brief escape I have from my responsibilities. And when I am finished, there is a sense of accomplishment and a renewed energy to face the rest of the day. So the sanity I gain from squeezing in a workout actually enables me to tackle all that awaits me rather than keeping me from completing my “to do” list. Give yourself a 20-30 minute break from life and get out and move. I promise that you won’t regret it!

Slashing Your Chance of Disease

I took Aleyah to the doctor yesterday for her 6-year-old well-child visit. I have never seen anyone so excited about seeing the doctor. When we left, she asked (with eager expectation) when she would be coming back. While I am thankful for her cooperation during the exam, I was even more pleased that her pediatrician was impressed that Aleyah’s only trips to the doctor’s office in the past three years was simply for her yearly visit. She told me that many kindergartners are sick all throughout the year, and she sees some once a month due to sickness. She credited Aleyah’s lack of illness to her healthy eating and activity level.

Aleyah’s diet is high in fiber, and fiber aides in slow digestion and sugar absorption which then lowers one’s risk of diabetes and cancer.

The International Journal of Clinical Practice had researchers look at more than 40 studies concerning exercise and its benefits, and they found that over 25 diseases occur at a much lower rate when regular physical activity is part of an individual’s lifestyle. (breast cancer, colon cancer, depression, heart disease, and hip fractures to name a few.)

While diet and exercise cannot guarantee a disease-free life, you can certainly lower your risk significantly and have a stronger immune system to combat any illness that may come your way.

Mocha Almond Smoothie

It is going to be a hot one this week. 90 degree weather and little to no rain in sight. My rain barrel is as dry as a bone and the grass is quite crispy. I love Florida summers except for the following three things…

1. Sweating like a pig while getting children in and out of a car.

2. Hearing those children say, “It’s hot in here!” upon entering the car. (This is when, as a mom, I find the need to bite my tongue so I don’t say, “No duh!”)

3. Not enjoying my afternoon cup of coffee as much because it causes me to sweat profusely.

While there is no solution to #1, and #2 has been handled with a threat, I have found the ultimate solution to problem #3 and that is my Mocha Almond Smoothie. Here is my recipe…

1/2 – 3/4 cup Almond milk (depending on desired thickness)

1/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt

1 scoop Hemp protein powder (I use Nutiva)

2 Tablespoons Almond butter

1 Frozen banana

2 Teaspoons Organic Cacao Powder

1 Packet Starbucks Via coffee

Place all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth and frothy.

 

Also try my Pineapple Mango Smoothie or my Wendy’s “Frosty”

The Beginning and Ending of My Mother’s Day

Last Wednesday, Aleyah announced (didn’t ask, just strongly stated as she often does) that she wanted to run the art festival 5K with me next time. We are planning on getting in a little practice between now and then, and that began this morning. I started off my Mother’s Day with a half lap (just about 1/2 of a mile) around my neighborhood with Anna. I dropped off Anna and picked up Aleyah to do a full loop (about 1 mile). I was proud of both girls- no whining and just a few, short walking breaks. Their favorite part was jumping over Sunday morning newspapers that had yet to be picked up. My favorite part- the smiles, laughter, and elephant -sounding feet pounding on the pavement.

I ended my day with a wonderful walk with my mom. God has blessed me with a mom that I admire more than anyone. I still long to have her patience, kindness, and strength.

Happy Mother’s Day to all! Back to the grind tomorrow 🙂