Yesterday I traveled by plane for the first time as a mother of three. We flew from Denver to Tampa with a layover in Dallas. I was a bit nervous to travel with all three. But I must say that I have no complaints at all. All three kids behaved tremendously well and were happy. Our travels had us eating out 2 of our meals yesterday- breakfast and lunch. Breakfast took place in Denver. We didn't have too many options there. There was a McDonalds with a line 100 people deep and not much else. We found a little grill and decided to see what we could get there. We got two omelets for the four of us to split which cost $20. As we were eating them, Morgan and I looked at each other and realized how difficult it is to eat gluten free and sugar free while traveling. We did pack man snacks but needed to eat meals. We had apples, bananas, dried fruits and nuts to get us through. Our next stop was Dallas where we had 2 hours to kill. We were on a mission to find a healthy lunch and also get the girls some exercise to get their wiggles out for the next flight. I was amazed to see all the people just sitting and it was really interesting to watch all the people eating and see what they were eating. Of course there was another McDonalds with a mile long line, there was a Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut and Chinese. Amongst the traveling kids, McDonalds was the most popular choice. While eating, many people were plugged into their electronics killing time.
We were very lucky and found a Red Mangoes. A friend had told me about this place but I had not had a chance to try it out yet. I was so happy to see it and that was lunch for everyone. We all got a frozen yogurt with fresh fruit. If you have a Red Mangoes near you, I highly recommend it. The girls thought they were getting such a treat and it was very satisfying to us all.
We decided to spend our two hour layover exploring the airport. It seemed like we walked miles. We stopped in stores and looked around and we played Simon Says to get some wiggles out.
Traveling does require people to eat on the go. When traveling by car, you are able to pack a cooler and bring your own food. When traveling by plane, you are limited as to what you can bring and can't pack meals for a day. We did well with our snacks but I do wish there were healthier options available. I was very happy to have the Red Mangoes. Next time I travel, it would be great to see a few more places to get something healthy and satisfying!
Now we are off to entertain ourselves with beach activities for a week!!!!
Flying Food
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
As a teacher this is such a bitter-sweet time of year. With only 3 more days of school, I know summer is at my fingertips. I can't stop thinking of all the fun I get to have spending time with my family and all of our summer plans. We will spend much of the time outside hiking, exploring, gardening, swimming, running, and playing. I can't wait for no obligation days and picking different adventures!
However it is also time that I say goodbye to 18 smiling faces that I have become attached to. My little kindergartners will graduate tomorrow. Yes, I will still see them next year but it is not the same. I have to let these little guys go. Even though these children are not my real children, I develop such a strong relationship with them over the ten months I have them. These kids really look up to me and we develop such a bond. We share many tears, laughs, smiles, boogers and germs!
At the end of the school year, I feel as if a chapter in my life ends and a new one is about to begin. I always find this time a great time to reflect on myself as a teacher and as a mother. I reflect on how my year went with my class, and what I need to do differently. As I look forward to my summer break, I focus on how I want to spend my precious moments with my own children.
As a teacher having the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives, I hope my students develop a passion for learning and life. I hope they play outside a little more, take care of the earth and take care of themselves. As a mom, I hope my children develop a passion for nature and being outside.I hope they learn to love themselves and respect their bodies and health!
As a teacher and a mom the only way I know to guide these children is by leading by example. Goodbye my sweet kindergartners! Hello summer adventures!
However it is also time that I say goodbye to 18 smiling faces that I have become attached to. My little kindergartners will graduate tomorrow. Yes, I will still see them next year but it is not the same. I have to let these little guys go. Even though these children are not my real children, I develop such a strong relationship with them over the ten months I have them. These kids really look up to me and we develop such a bond. We share many tears, laughs, smiles, boogers and germs!
At the end of the school year, I feel as if a chapter in my life ends and a new one is about to begin. I always find this time a great time to reflect on myself as a teacher and as a mother. I reflect on how my year went with my class, and what I need to do differently. As I look forward to my summer break, I focus on how I want to spend my precious moments with my own children.
As a teacher having the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives, I hope my students develop a passion for learning and life. I hope they play outside a little more, take care of the earth and take care of themselves. As a mom, I hope my children develop a passion for nature and being outside.I hope they learn to love themselves and respect their bodies and health!
As a teacher and a mom the only way I know to guide these children is by leading by example. Goodbye my sweet kindergartners! Hello summer adventures!
Friday, May 20, 2011
A couple of months ago, a Super WalMart opened up next to a huge park in town. The park is absolutely beautiful and has a great playground and a ton of sports fields. When you drive by the park on the weekends the fields are covered with kids playing soccer, softball, and baseball. The Super WalMart is so super that it even has a McDonalds in it! Today I drove by WalMart and saw a McDonalds banner advertising 20% off for anyone who has a sports uniform on and their guests too. I laughed when I read this and loved the irony in it.
Health critics are so against McDonalds. Their food is convenient and appealing to families on the run and children but it is so terrible for you. I am not a fan of McDonalds but I believe people have a choice in where they eat and what they eat. I personally choose not to eat there and not to let my children eat there. I am not going to rant about McDonalds and their quality.
However, I think it is ironic to advertise to kids and families that jsut finish playing a game. These kids had at least played an hour of their sport and the last thing they need in their systems is McDonalds. I almost want to go stand outside the WalMart McDonalds on a Saturday to see how many kids in their uniforms go indulge themselves with a Big Mac and fries.
Health critics are so against McDonalds. Their food is convenient and appealing to families on the run and children but it is so terrible for you. I am not a fan of McDonalds but I believe people have a choice in where they eat and what they eat. I personally choose not to eat there and not to let my children eat there. I am not going to rant about McDonalds and their quality.
However, I think it is ironic to advertise to kids and families that jsut finish playing a game. These kids had at least played an hour of their sport and the last thing they need in their systems is McDonalds. I almost want to go stand outside the WalMart McDonalds on a Saturday to see how many kids in their uniforms go indulge themselves with a Big Mac and fries.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Recipe
Barbecue Sauce
Mix equal parts ketchup and truvia/sugar free syrup blend. Add a couple of splashes of worchester sauce and some dry mustard, salt and pepper.
I have seen recipes that call for vinegar which would balance the sweetness a little but we didn't have any. We were also saying that it would be good with a little hot sauce to spice it up. However the above recipe was great and the kids loved it!
After such a dry winter that did not consist of many sled rides and snowmen building because of the lack of snow, we have had a very very wet last couple of weeks. Rain isn't as much as snow but still can be fun to play in. It seems like singing in the rain is just something that has to be done when you are a kid. It is also so much fun to splash around. We have found that the perfect time to play in the rain is right before bath time. We can go outside get wet and cold and then come in to a nice warm bath. On days that I let my boundaries down a bit, we may even play in the mud!
Activity of the Day
Play in the rain! We carry umbrellas, jump from puddle to puddle while singing rain songs. There is something unresistible about a big old puddle when you are a kid. You just have to jump in it!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
I find myself and my entire family very fortunate to not have any food allergies. It seems that just about everybody is allergic to something these days. Gluten is a huge one. I have known many people who have had to eat gluten free due to an allergy. I always felt so bad for these people. What in the world do they eat and boy are they missing out. I have always been a huge pasta and bread eater. Bakeries are one of my very favorite places to visit!
Lately, I have been researching different diets- not diets to lose weight but diets that become a healthy way of life. Everyone that has eliminated gluten from their diets seem to feel better. I have also read some articles on this topic. I thought a gluten free diet would be almost impossible for me to go on. But I have always liked a challenge. My family is a week and a half into a gluten free diet right now. We have also eliminated all sugars except natural sugars.
I have to say that it is easier than I thought it would be. I find that we are snacking on fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts. Breakfast has been easy with different sorts of eggs. We miss our pancakes though. Lunch has been a little difficult when packing it. I can't just pack a sandwich. I find myself being creative but also eating because I am hungry and not because I want to be satisfied. Dinner has been pretty easy too. We have been making stirfry, tacos, taco salads, and lots of meat and veggies.
I absolutely love to bake. My biggest challenge on the this diet is trying to figure out what flours to use when baking different things. I have found a pretty good muffin recipe that we like with bananas. My homemade pancakes are still a work in progress. I have used gluten free all purpose flour and brown rice flour. I think they taste pretty good but the girls aren't sold on them yet. My favorite thing that I experimented with are dark chocolate chip cookies. They came out really well and the whole batch was devoured in 2 days. I am having a lot of fun experimenting with different recipes and finding what works best.
To my surprise, I have not really missed my pasta and bread. And I do notice a difference in how I feel. I am not always hungry and looking for something to satisfy me. I have had lots of energy and just feel good.
Lately, I have been researching different diets- not diets to lose weight but diets that become a healthy way of life. Everyone that has eliminated gluten from their diets seem to feel better. I have also read some articles on this topic. I thought a gluten free diet would be almost impossible for me to go on. But I have always liked a challenge. My family is a week and a half into a gluten free diet right now. We have also eliminated all sugars except natural sugars.
I have to say that it is easier than I thought it would be. I find that we are snacking on fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts. Breakfast has been easy with different sorts of eggs. We miss our pancakes though. Lunch has been a little difficult when packing it. I can't just pack a sandwich. I find myself being creative but also eating because I am hungry and not because I want to be satisfied. Dinner has been pretty easy too. We have been making stirfry, tacos, taco salads, and lots of meat and veggies.
I absolutely love to bake. My biggest challenge on the this diet is trying to figure out what flours to use when baking different things. I have found a pretty good muffin recipe that we like with bananas. My homemade pancakes are still a work in progress. I have used gluten free all purpose flour and brown rice flour. I think they taste pretty good but the girls aren't sold on them yet. My favorite thing that I experimented with are dark chocolate chip cookies. They came out really well and the whole batch was devoured in 2 days. I am having a lot of fun experimenting with different recipes and finding what works best.
To my surprise, I have not really missed my pasta and bread. And I do notice a difference in how I feel. I am not always hungry and looking for something to satisfy me. I have had lots of energy and just feel good.
Friday, May 13, 2011
We got a tease with some really nice weather last weekend. We were able to spend the entire weekend outside. With the warm weather comes lots of yard work, gardening, walks, parks, and of course the slip n slide, water balloons, and water guns. After such a beautiful weekend, we had a cold and rainy week. It was hard to get girls out of summer mode and shorts. Since we couldn't transition them to being indoors again, we spent some time swimming at the rec center. We are very lucky to have so many activities at our finger tips. We have so many outdoor pools to choose from in the summer and a few indoor pools for the cold rainy days. Taking the girls swimming tires them out beyond belief and me too. We play sharks and minnows, we throw them around, catch their jumps, and flip through the pool. It is so much fun for everyone.
Activity of the Day
Go for a swim- Inside/Outside In a pool, lake, or ocean.
Get in the water and play around. You will be exhausted as well as your children!
My brother is a pretty frugal guy. One time while he was out visiting, we had a discussion about bars. I think they are a great snack and can be healthy. But they can get pricey as well. He said he looks at the ingredients on the back of them and tries to make them himself. I thought that was a genius idea especially if you like to play with food and experiment. So here is a simple simple recipe for one of my favorites.
Recipe of the Day
Dried apricots
almonds
unsweetened cocnut
agave
You have to play around with the amounts to make the the consistency you want. I start out by putting the almonds in the food processor. Then I take them out and grind the apricots up in the processor, take them out and then do the same with the coconut. I then mix them all together in a bowl by adding a little of each at a time to get it to a good consistency. Then I drizzle them with agave to help them stick a little bit better. I place them on wax paper and cut them up. They are such a good healthy tasty snack.
Activity of the Day
Go for a swim- Inside/Outside In a pool, lake, or ocean.
Get in the water and play around. You will be exhausted as well as your children!
My brother is a pretty frugal guy. One time while he was out visiting, we had a discussion about bars. I think they are a great snack and can be healthy. But they can get pricey as well. He said he looks at the ingredients on the back of them and tries to make them himself. I thought that was a genius idea especially if you like to play with food and experiment. So here is a simple simple recipe for one of my favorites.
Recipe of the Day
Dried apricots
almonds
unsweetened cocnut
agave
You have to play around with the amounts to make the the consistency you want. I start out by putting the almonds in the food processor. Then I take them out and grind the apricots up in the processor, take them out and then do the same with the coconut. I then mix them all together in a bowl by adding a little of each at a time to get it to a good consistency. Then I drizzle them with agave to help them stick a little bit better. I place them on wax paper and cut them up. They are such a good healthy tasty snack.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
It is hard to believe that I have been celebrating being a mom for 6 mothers days now. On a family run last night, I explained to my husband that running all five of us together on a beautiful night is my ideal mothers day gift. I enjoy spending time as a family and love being outside and active. After saying that, I reflected on my favorite mothers days. A couple of years ago, we went for a hike in the hills and had a picnic lunch. While being outside, it just seems that all the worries of the world fade away and the kids don't whine and fight as much. That day spent outside hiking and exploring was my all time favorite.
I wasn't sure what this year would bring since my husband was working and I was spending the day with the 3 kids. We didn't have any plans. It turned out to be a great day and one that I will always cherish. I enjoyed this mothers day a little bit more than usual because my kids were responsible for everything without their dad here to guide them. Everyone seemed to be in great moods and get along very well. We ate all three of our meals outside on the deck. Since we didn't eat out at all we all ate healthy and weren't tempted to indulge ourselves. We went for an extra long run. Tate slept in the stroller, Maya sang in the stroller, and Ella raced the whole way on her bike. She got tired a few times but didn't complain at all. I felt like I could run forever because I was such a proud mom while running. My children really do inspire me and I hope that providing them the exposure to a healthy fit life will inspire them for the rest of their lives as well.
I hope while my own mother reflects back on her mothers days, she too remembers the ones of us spending days outside wandering in the wilderness.
A very happy mothers day to all the moms out there. I hope you cherish the days with your children and help inspire them for the rest of their lives!
I wasn't sure what this year would bring since my husband was working and I was spending the day with the 3 kids. We didn't have any plans. It turned out to be a great day and one that I will always cherish. I enjoyed this mothers day a little bit more than usual because my kids were responsible for everything without their dad here to guide them. Everyone seemed to be in great moods and get along very well. We ate all three of our meals outside on the deck. Since we didn't eat out at all we all ate healthy and weren't tempted to indulge ourselves. We went for an extra long run. Tate slept in the stroller, Maya sang in the stroller, and Ella raced the whole way on her bike. She got tired a few times but didn't complain at all. I felt like I could run forever because I was such a proud mom while running. My children really do inspire me and I hope that providing them the exposure to a healthy fit life will inspire them for the rest of their lives as well.
I hope while my own mother reflects back on her mothers days, she too remembers the ones of us spending days outside wandering in the wilderness.
A very happy mothers day to all the moms out there. I hope you cherish the days with your children and help inspire them for the rest of their lives!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
It is a beautiful morning today! A bright blue sky with no clouds in sight! This morning Maya woke up begging to go for a bike ride. She did not want to sit on Daddy's bike, she wanted to ride her own. It wasn't hard to convince Ella to go for a ride either. We are very fortunate to have a huge bike path in town and there are several throughout the state. Ella has been riding her bike for the last three years and rarely tires on long trips. Maya started riding her bike last summer and prefers to ride herself rather than hitching a ride on the back of Morgan's bike. Going for a bike ride with a 5 year old and a 3 year old is very different than going for a nice "adult" bike ride. We try to keep it as fun as possible and go at the pace of the kids. We also have a rule that any park we drive by, we can stop and play at for a few minutes.
Activity of the Day
Tour de parks via bike
We play follow the leader on our bikes switching out leaders the entire ride. Whenever we see a park we stop for 5 minutes or so and play. Our bike rides can go anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time we have and where we go. This morning, knowing I have to get ready for work in a bit, we stayed in the neighborhood and stopped at the park down the street. The girls rode about 3 miles and played at the park for 10 minutes.
Since today is Cinco de Mayo, I will share the favorite healthy mexican dish in our house. My oldest daughter has always had pretty bland taste bids but after our rule of making her try everything a couple of times and not making her a separate dinner, she has blossomed a little. This is a dinner that she asks for over and over again!
Recipe of the Day
Healthy Smothered Turkey Burritos
Pound of Ground Turkey
Refried Black beans
yellow onion
green pepper
yellow squash
jalapeno (optional depending on spice preference)
shredded cheese
whole grain tortillas
green chile
Brown the turkey meat and add in diced veggies and beans. Simmer until the veggies have softened. Stuff the tortillas with the mixture and fold up. Top with green chile and shredded cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese has melted. You can top them with anything you would like. We usually just use lettuce and tomatoes and Maya loads hers with black olives!
Activity of the Day
Tour de parks via bike
We play follow the leader on our bikes switching out leaders the entire ride. Whenever we see a park we stop for 5 minutes or so and play. Our bike rides can go anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time we have and where we go. This morning, knowing I have to get ready for work in a bit, we stayed in the neighborhood and stopped at the park down the street. The girls rode about 3 miles and played at the park for 10 minutes.
Since today is Cinco de Mayo, I will share the favorite healthy mexican dish in our house. My oldest daughter has always had pretty bland taste bids but after our rule of making her try everything a couple of times and not making her a separate dinner, she has blossomed a little. This is a dinner that she asks for over and over again!
Recipe of the Day
Healthy Smothered Turkey Burritos
Pound of Ground Turkey
Refried Black beans
yellow onion
green pepper
yellow squash
jalapeno (optional depending on spice preference)
shredded cheese
whole grain tortillas
green chile
Brown the turkey meat and add in diced veggies and beans. Simmer until the veggies have softened. Stuff the tortillas with the mixture and fold up. Top with green chile and shredded cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese has melted. You can top them with anything you would like. We usually just use lettuce and tomatoes and Maya loads hers with black olives!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The other night, I was watching the news and an interesting segment on childhood obesity came on. It was talking about how childhood obesity is escalating in our country. This has gotten a lot of press recently and I hope everyone is aware of this! The interesting part of the segment was that they explained that parents are doing things to control their own weight but when it comes to their children, they are doing the opposite and contributing to their obesity. I think our nation is starting to figure out they we need to make a lot of changes to be healthier and more fit. We really need to do this for ourselves and for our children.
I started thinking about this and thought about how many adults diet and buy healthy food for themselves or control calories and sugar. But then they buy "kid" food for their children which sometimes is loaded in sugar and absolutely unhealthy. I have many friends that are pretty healthy, work out, and watch what they eat. But then they feed their children a separate diet. Walk into any grocery store and it is obvious that their is a whole market geared towards kids. I think there should be an aisle labeled kid foods. So my question is why would you watch what you eat and try to be healthy but then feed your child "junk"?
I used to buy separate food for my kids and even cook them kid meals while I would eat healthier. We no longer buy kid foods. Everything my kids eat, I eat as well.We count the different colors in our foods. My kids don't need to love everything they eat or clean their plate but they are encouraged to take a few bites to try it. Our biggest transition has been with snacks. Instead of fruit snacks and chips, they eat yogurt, nuts, and fresh fruits and veggies.
The other half of the obesity factor is working out. As adults, we can go to the gym and burn some calories. We can even take our kids along and put them in the child care which is usually included in your membership. So as we are running on the treadmill, our kids are safe in the same building playing in a room. It is very convenient but what have we done for our children to get them exercise? Many of us even workout at home. I have three children so I know how precious time is and how hard it is to work out with them at home. So maybe we plop them in front of the TV or let them play a video game while we get a half hour in on the elliptical. Again, we are taking care of ourselves, but what have we done for our children?
I have pushed all of my kids in the jogging stroller since they were born so I could get my workout in everyday. I will continue to push them in the stroller but I also make sure they get their exercise daily as well. My oldest now has a choice to run or ride her bike with me when I go for runs. My 3 year old will jump out of the stroller when we are finishing up the run to race me home. After I take my time to go for a run, I will stay outside to give them their time to run and ride around. We will get a ball and play soccer or baseball. What ever time I devote to my own exercise, I also devote to exercise for them.
We need to set good examples for our children and model the healthy life style but we also need to make sure they are participating in what we are modeling.
I started thinking about this and thought about how many adults diet and buy healthy food for themselves or control calories and sugar. But then they buy "kid" food for their children which sometimes is loaded in sugar and absolutely unhealthy. I have many friends that are pretty healthy, work out, and watch what they eat. But then they feed their children a separate diet. Walk into any grocery store and it is obvious that their is a whole market geared towards kids. I think there should be an aisle labeled kid foods. So my question is why would you watch what you eat and try to be healthy but then feed your child "junk"?
I used to buy separate food for my kids and even cook them kid meals while I would eat healthier. We no longer buy kid foods. Everything my kids eat, I eat as well.We count the different colors in our foods. My kids don't need to love everything they eat or clean their plate but they are encouraged to take a few bites to try it. Our biggest transition has been with snacks. Instead of fruit snacks and chips, they eat yogurt, nuts, and fresh fruits and veggies.
The other half of the obesity factor is working out. As adults, we can go to the gym and burn some calories. We can even take our kids along and put them in the child care which is usually included in your membership. So as we are running on the treadmill, our kids are safe in the same building playing in a room. It is very convenient but what have we done for our children to get them exercise? Many of us even workout at home. I have three children so I know how precious time is and how hard it is to work out with them at home. So maybe we plop them in front of the TV or let them play a video game while we get a half hour in on the elliptical. Again, we are taking care of ourselves, but what have we done for our children?
I have pushed all of my kids in the jogging stroller since they were born so I could get my workout in everyday. I will continue to push them in the stroller but I also make sure they get their exercise daily as well. My oldest now has a choice to run or ride her bike with me when I go for runs. My 3 year old will jump out of the stroller when we are finishing up the run to race me home. After I take my time to go for a run, I will stay outside to give them their time to run and ride around. We will get a ball and play soccer or baseball. What ever time I devote to my own exercise, I also devote to exercise for them.
We need to set good examples for our children and model the healthy life style but we also need to make sure they are participating in what we are modeling.
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