Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Dull, drab, unfashionable, that’s exactly how I felt only a couple of years ago. After having a baby, moving to a new city and leaving a career, I felt a little lost. The identity I thought I knew was no longer and I found myself self-conscious and uncertain. It is during these seasons that it is so easy for the comparison trap to hook us…
Rushing in the door with groceries in hand and coaching my toddler in out of the heat, I set the bags down on the floor with a “Humph.” We had just returned from running errands. It always takes longer to run errands with a 2-year-old. I know this. But now, the time was slipping away and I needed to get her lunch fast, before a royal meltdown…
Every bite you take is either fighting disease or feeding it. –Anonymous
As described in the Sugar Series, Part 1 and Part 2, sugar has a way of sneaking into our kitchen and meals, becoming a friend and sabotaging our taste buds. Knowingly or unknowingly, we have allowed it. But, we don’t have to permit it to invade our lives. The first step is knowing the facts and the second is understanding where it is coming from. For knowledge to lead to action, we need to be convinced it is actually possible. Are you?
A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty. –Anonymous
Babies expand your capacity to love and receive love. I am now 26 weeks along in pregnancy and so grateful to be able to experience this beautiful expectant season, once again.
Every season in life has the potential to change, grow and mature you in countless ways. As most mommies and daddies anticipate the birth of a child as a huge life change lingering in the not-so-distant future, the actual season of pregnancy is like a meadow of wildflowers- little gifts of beauty waiting to be picked.
We all know that investing in our health now can save HUGE on healthcare costs in the future. But the fact remains that eating a healthy diet can drive up our food bill each month. In fact, a research review showed that consumers pay $1.50 more per day (per person) to eat a healthy diet! Wow!! Essentially, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts costs a lot more than refined grains, and processed meats/foods. For many, the added cost of healthy foods only causes more stress, making it difficult to stick to a healthy meal plan long term.
Never had I felt so helpless. But, never have I felt so relieved. My daughter was a newborn with colic. Our family lived away and my husband and I were on our own, learning how to care for this tiny baby girl. But, she wouldn’t stop crying. Holding her was about the only thing that would do the trick, and that wasn’t always reliable. It was in those early weeks that my husband embodied ‘hero.’
My family enjoys freedoms every day thanks to veterans and service men and women. These individuals accept risk with courage, believe in a cause greater than oneself and live with convictions of honor, duty and responsibility. We honor you today! Thank you.
Sometimes gifts show up in unexpected packages.
An entire year…that’s 12 months… 365 days…That’s how long it took for me to lose every last pound of pregnancy weight. I had shed all but about 5 pounds, but those stubborn little guys clung to me like those little “hitch-hiker” seeds that used to cling to our socks. It was really very frustrating and in many ways made me question my self-discipline, knowledge, years of training and experience, motivation,…everything!
What I knew, coached, preached, lived… didn’t seem to be working.
For all that you do that goes unnoticed. For all that you give, sacrificially and without strings attached. For the greatness of your love that gushes out of your being. You are Chosen. You are Known. And, You are CELEBRATED!! Cheering and honoring all of you MOMS today!
Do you remember THAT gift? The one that will forever be etched in your heart and mind? The gift that exceeded thoughtful and spoke directly to a deep place in your soul? Well, I love giving those kinds of gifts. I get the biggest thrill knowing that I didn’t just give a gift that was practical, functional or even on someone’s list, but I found the perfect idea that would never be forgotten.
