Check Out Your Neighborhood's Holiday Lights on Foot

Is your neighborhood as lit up as mine with twinkling lights, blow-ups dancing in the breeze and spotlights showing off garland and bows?  Looking at the forecast, this is going to be a great weekend to bundle up, fill a travel mug with steaming hot cocoa and head out one evening to look at the lights . . . on foot.  That’s right.  I said on foot.  Skip the traditional car ride around the neighborhood and take a walk by yourself or with your family.  There are so many benefits to this activity – physical exercise, fresh air, a moment to slow down time as your stroll through your neighborhood, time to connect with your family away from technology, feelings of joy as you soak in the holiday spirit and an opportunity to see your world from a new perspective.  

Beautiful lights shining through the snow.

I have to confess that I have absolutely no research to back-up any of those benefits – just personal experience of a favorite holiday tradition I introduced my family to a couple of years ago.  However, research on perspective tells us that purposefully looking at a situation from a different angle boosts creativity, increases curiosity and builds community.  All skills that will benefit us personally and professionally during this time when the holiday blues and stress related to COVID are impacting a majority of people. 

A nighttime walk through your neighborhood is fun on its own.  But you could also change things up a bit to add to the fun.  You can turn your walk it into a scavenger hunt by putting a list together of things for your family to look for - blow-up Santa, red lights, wreath on door, lit up tree in window, reindeer on roof.  Your family could vote on who has the best decorations in your neighborhood.  Before you head out the door, young kids could make a poster or ribbon to post on the winners door.  You could bake cookies to drop off for the winner as their prize.  There are so many ways to turn this simple walk into a winter adventure!  

Regardless of what direction you take this idea, I encourage you to pause and enjoy the moment.  Taking a quiet evening stroll by yourself or leading your family on a nighttime escapade will help you to relax and soak in some holiday joy.
 

A few safety tips for nighttime walks:

Wear reflective gear

Carry a flashlight (but don’t aim it directly as passing vehicles)

Walk facing traffic

Walk with young children next to the curb placing yourself between them and traffic

Take a mask (in case you have the chance to stop and share a socially distanced conversation with a neighbor)

Evaluate Your Thanksgiving Day Expectations

“Disappointment is unmet expectations, and the more significant the expectations the more significant the disappointment.” ~Brene Brown

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.” ~William Shakespeare

We all have a vision of what we think the perfect Thanksgiving day should look like. It’s when that vision does not play out in reality that stress, disappointment and heartache replace joy and gratitude. This year, more than any other year, is going to test our vision of what Thanksgiving should look like. The key word in that sentence is SHOULD.

“One of the great things about expectations is that we’re the ones who make them.” ~Jeanne Rupert

I encourage you to take some time before Thursday to evaluate your expectations for this upcoming holiday weekend.  Consider the following:

· What is truly important to you?

· What can you control? What is completely out of your control?

· Remind yourself of the reality of the year 2020.

· If something goes wrong, what is the worst that could happen? Have you just created a heartwarming or hilarious family memory that will be discussed at Thanksgivings for years to come?

· Think of one thing that is important to you that it happen or go well and focus on making that one thing happen versus focusing on an entire day of perfection.

My family's Thanksgiving plans have changed multiple times over the past few weeks.  As of today, all of our individual households will be having their own Thanksgiving.  So it will be my husband, daughter and I eating together.  My son will be quarantining in his apartment a state away as he was exposed to COVID at work.  At first I was really sad about the need for a drastic change from our regular celebrations.  However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have absolutely no control over the big picture.  We want our family to be healthy and safe so I've accepted that being apart and celebrating through Zoom calls is the best option for this year.   

Thinking about the three of us who will be together, I talked to my family about what they like about Thanksgiving.  For my husband, it's football.  Every year without fail, dinner is served right at a key point during the game and he misses it.  For my daughter who is a very picky eater, it's that she doesn't really like any of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes that we serve.  What would she want to eat?  Macaroni and Cheese!  For me, I love running in a local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  

My expectations for Thanksgiving 2020 have been reset.  It will definitely look different than in years past and I'm OK with that fact.  I'll get up and run in a virtual turkey trot before stepping into the kitchen to cook my very first Thanksgiving dinner which I'm getting more excited about as the day draws closer.  I'm going to set our table up in front of the TV so that my husband doesn't have to miss a single down of the football game.  When my daughter fills her plate solely with macaroni and cheese, I won't say a word.  

What are your expectations for Thanksgiving 2020?

“If you align your expectations with reality, you will never be disappointed.”  ~Terrell Owens

Picture credits: www.sugarandcharm.com     www.alamy.com     www.pngkey.com

3 Simple Tips for CHOOSING a Healthy Holiday

One of the best feelings in the world is anticipating a really fun day with family and friends which will include sitting down to a really good meal.  One of the worst feelings in the world is crawling away from the table with an overstuffed belly, pants that are now way too tight and the mental haze of an uncontrolled feeding frenzy.  Wouldn't it be fantastic to focus on that first feeling without having to worry about the second?  Here are three simple choices that you can make to have a healthy holiday and avoid the post-dinner pain of having eaten too much.

1) CHOOSE TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES BEFORE THE PARTY BEGINS.  Before leaving your house or welcoming your first guest, make the conscious decision to have a healthy holiday.  Going in with the mindset of making healthy choices increases the possibility that you will do just that!  I encourage you to take that one step further and tell someone that you want to have a healthy holiday.  Having someone give you the evil eye as you begin to help yourself to a second piece of pie can be a strong deterrent!

2) CHOOSE YOUR SEAT.  When you arrive at the gathering, scan the room before you sit down.  If there is a table with appetizers or desserts, sit far away.  You are less likely to keep munching if you have to stand up and walk across the room.  If there are other members of your family or friends also striving to be healthier, sit with them or where you can make eye contact with them.  Getting that "look" as you reach for another chip loaded with dip can be very powerful.

3) CHOOSE YOUR TREAT.  Before jumping into the buffet line or placing a large spoonful of the first dish passed to you on your plate, know what all of your options are so that you can choose wisely.  I'm not suggesting that you deny yourself any Thanksgiving goodness, simply be mindful of what you are putting on your plate.  If your uncle makes the best macaroni and cheese, take a smaller portion of other sides and save room for a heaping spoonful of that cheesy deliciousness.  If your mom only makes her pecan pie at Thanksgiving, choose that as your dessert and skip the others.  When you are lifting your fork to your mouth, go slow!  Take your time.  Savor each bite.  At my work's Thanksgiving Dinner last week, my co-workers were teasing me as I ever so slowly took each bite of that sweet potato casserole.  I look forward to that casserole every year so I didn't want to shove it in my mouth without pausing to enjoy it.  I purposely made sure that I delighted in every single mouthful of that casserole!  It was the highlight of my meal!

Three simple steps that you can take to help yourself make healthy choices at your holiday feast.  Set yourself up for success!  And most importantly - focus on having a good time with family and friends.  It will be much more fun without the worry, guilt or discomfort of overeating.  You got this!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

It's not too Late to Check Things Off Your Summer Bucket List

My kids recently returned from a week long Missions Trip to Puerto Rico with our church's Youth Group.  It was so exciting to hear their stories and look at the pictures they took!  They had an absolutely amazing time.

As I was taking care of the not so fun part of their trip - the smelly sweaty laundry! - my mind began to wander to one of the next big events of our lives . . . prepping for back to school.  School supply displays are up at Target so we should head their sooner rather than later.  My daughter "donated" her tennis shoes in Puerto Rico so she'll need a new pair.  My son needs a form completed by his doctor.

WAIT A MINUTE!  

It is the middle of July.  We still have half of the kids summer vacation!  Why am I allowing my mind to be consumed with the stress of back to school already?  Don't get me wrong - it's important to plan ahead and be prepared.  My daughter and I will be making a school supply run this weekend (few things top the anxiety of needing a 1" red binder with a clear plastic cover sleeve that the teacher is requiring you to have tomorrow or you lose 100 points and there is not a single one left in 20 mile radius!).

I grabbed my planner and opened up to the page where I had written my Summer Bucket List back in May.  I've already checked several activities off.  But there are several more items on the list!

Hiking at Beam Rocks in Forbes State Forest - CHECK!

Fortunately, I caught myself before I allowed the stress and anxiety that always seems to attack me during the transition from one season to the next consume me.  There is still a lot of summer left to experience in 2017!  So I paused and took a close look at that list.  Picking a few items off it I purposely put them on my calendar so that they would not be missed.  I'll get to Pittsburgh's Wiener World!  I'll get to Hidden Valley for a weekend!

Trust me - I'll be ready for the start of school, but I won't miss out on the fun of summer!  How about you?  What's something you want to fit in before the leaves start to change colors?

A few more items already crossed off my Summer Bucket List . . .

Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival - CHECK!

Yoga in Pittsburgh's Market Square with my Mom - CHECK

My daughter and her BFFs at Phipp's Conservatory
in Pittsburgh, PA - CHECK

My Phone will Show You - I Worked my Plan!

One of my dad's favorite pieces of advice for his daughters and grandchildren is

Plan your Work and Work your Plan.

 

Very wise advice that I try to follow.  At the beginning of every season, I take time to think about what I want to accomplish and set goals for myself and my family.  They're not always serious goals like trying a new healthy recipe or exercising three times a week.  Often it's that I want to try a certain restaurant, make 'Smores at least one time or check out a new Putt Putt course.  I make a plan for myself so that time passes with few regrets of things that I wanted to accomplish or experience and don't. 

 

At 2:30AM this morning I was awake and consumed with guilt and worry.  Summer 2016 is pretty much over.  Had this summer been fun enough?  Active Enough?  Memorable enough?  My kids are getting older and I often feel as if they are slipping through my fingers.  Time with them is becoming more and more precious.  Was I honoring that time and making the most of it?  Had I "worked my plan" this summer?

 

While taking my last walk on the beach this morning capturing a beautiful sunrise, I realized that I held the answer to those questions that had been nagging me all night in my hand.  My phone!  All I had to do was look through the hundreds of moments I captured over the summer.

 

My first picture of the summer - Celebrating JJ's birthday with
Fortune Star and Putt Putt

 

Creating fun memories watching both the Pittsburgh Penguins and
the Cleveland Cavs win Championships!

 

Making sure both kids were out and about with friends and not
spending the entire summer in their rooms on their phones.

Professional Goal Met - My Team received Community LIFE's Inaugural
Excellence in Quality Award!
 

 

Going to Hidden Valley (I never made it there last summer!)
 and spending time with my family.

The last picture taken on my phone this morning.
A beautiful sunrise over Ocean Isle Beach, NC
To me this symbolizes my continued efforts to exercise regularly -
I got up every morning of vacation and walked 2 miles!

 

I'd say that is proof to me that I worked my plan.  Our summer was fun, active and memorable.  No regrets here! 

One more day on the beach and then it will be time to begin planning the next season and putting that plan to work.  My Dad always gives good advice.



Balance is a Big Picture Word

"Mom, are you going to the gym tonight?" my son asked me one day last week.

"No.  I'm going to hang out with your dad.  It's only my second day back at work since his surgery," I answered

"What's happened to you?  You haven't gone in a couple of weeks!"

What happened?  Today has happened.  Life has happened.

I have spent a lot of time over the past several years agonizing over finding balance in my life. Finding balance in how I spend my time so that I am able to fit everything in that needs to be there. The list of responsibilities and activities that are classified as "needing to be there" goes on and on and on and on . . .

I have driven myself crazy trying to fit everything in to my day.  I have gotten up early and I've stayed up late.  I have created and edited To Do List after To Do List.  I have asked friends to hold me accountable so that I am not tempted to miss something,  I have called ahead to my family so that as I slow down in front of my house they are ready to sprint out the door and hurl their bodies into the car. I have written out schedules and then re-arranged them ten times in one day.

I wear a bracelet that signifies balance in the hopes of having a visual reminder of my quest to find balance.  I have re-listened to a sermon about Elizabeth's journey of finding balance (http://communityumchurch.com/portfolio/current-service-3-13-16-influential-balance/gallery/sermons/).  I have cried.  I have felt guilty.  I have driven myself crazy.

The list of ways that I tried to find balance is longer than the list of activities that I'm attempting to balance!

Over the next couple of nights as I laid on the couch drifting in and out of a light sleep waiting for the alarm to prompt my husband to take his medication (He got his tonsils out.  Sounds like a simple procedure, but at 42 - not so much!), my mind raced.  Was there a problem?  I hadn't exercised consistently in a few weeks.  There were several things that I hadn't done recently.  Everything had been focused on prepping for my husband's surgery and then his recovery.  Before that we were wrapping up the school year and prior to that was Tennis Season.  Life has been a little hectic.  There was zero balance! I was quickly returning to the mess that had been my life six years ago.

At some point in the midst of my mind's exhausted haze I had a moment of clarity.  Yes - life is hectic.  But NO - I am NOT a mess.

How is that possible?

It's possible because my focus has not changed.  I am still focused on making healthy choices when it comes to handling my stress, eating, time management and my family.  My plan has not changed - I still want to be healthy.  I still want my family to be healthy.

When life is hectic, my stress level sky rockets.  So I'm pretty stressed out right now.  But I'm handling it in a healthy way.  I'm making wise choices.

The lessons I've learned: 

1) I will never be able to find balance every single day.  It will even be difficult to maintain perfect balance in a week's time.  That's because balance is a big picture word.  With all of the roles that I fill right now in this stage of my life, there are always going to be people or activities or responsibilities that require more of my attention.  That doesn't mean that I'm giving up on the other roles.  One of them will come back to the forefront in a few days or next week.

BALANCE IS A

BIG PICTURE WORD.

For these past couple of weeks, my husband has been my main concern.  Our children stayed with my parents.  I took several days off of work.  All of the meals that I planned were bland and soft so that he could swallow them.  My roles of wife and caregiving spouse were in that #1 spot.  Yet, I maintained my focus on being healthy.  I reached out to my support system when I found myself eating more chocolate pudding than my husband.  Their series of funny texts kept me out of the fridge!

This weekend, my role of Tennis Booster President was in that #1 spot as the Team volunteered at our community's summer festival.  I spent the entire weekend at the park operating the Crazy Colors Game Booth.  I stayed on track by packing my meals and treating myself to a small bag of Kettle corn.

Starting Monday life calms down for a little bit.  My meals are planned and prepped.  I'll be back in the gym.

In two weeks when we start three weeks of various camps for the kids a touch of chaos will return.

But overall - Balance.

2) Balance requires maintaining my focus.

My niece maintaining her focus on the balance beam.

I picture my 8 year-old niece on the balance beam.  She focuses on a spot on the beam to keep her balanced.  At times she may lean over to the right.  And then she may lean far to the left causing her one foot to come off the beam.  But by maintaining her focus she is able to re-gain her balance.  She may fall off now and then, but she jumps right back up on that balance beam!

Life may pull me to the right and then pull me to the left, but by maintaining my focus of making healthy choices even amongst life's most stressful or busiest moments, I can stay on that balance beam of life.

BALANCE REQUIRES MAINTAINING

MY FOCUS.

In a nutshell: Instead of worrying about fitting everything in TODAY (work, the healthiest of meals, exercise, my kids' getting to exercise, spending time with my husband, volunteer responsibilities and on and on . . .) I will take a step back and look at life through a wider lens.  How have the past few weeks looked?  Have I maintained my focus amidst life's chaos?  I will look at the big picture.

The Snack Battle: 10 Smart Choices for After-School Snacks

After school snacks have long been a battle in our house.  Both of my teenagers eat lunch very early at school and I rarely have dinner ready before 6PM.  When they arrive home, they want to stuff their face to satisfy their deep hunger.  I want them to eat something small yet satisfying and healthy so that they are not full when I finally get dinner on the table.

I tried having minimal options in the house.  Then I tried leaving out one specific snack for the kids to eat after school.  This left me with two hungry and grouchy kids.  I tried talking with my kids about making smart choices and then leaving them on their own to decide what to eat with all options open (including the Doritos and ice cream that my husband loves).  While my kids took full advantage of all options, I was left grouchy at what I deemed their lack of self-control and poor choices.

When I thought about it, there are two main goals that I have for my kids when it comes to their after-school snacks:
1) That they eat something healthy.
2) That they learn to make their own smart choices when it comes to snacking.

I spent an evening researching healthy snack options.  While I read about a lot of great snacks, I had to be realistic.  My kids are not going to eat veggies dipped in hummus.  A handful of almonds is not going to satisfy their hunger.   Keeping that in mind, I came up with a new idea that gives my kids the freedom to make their own choices while making sure that the options available to them are ones that they will like and are healthy.

We've been following this plan for two weeks now and have found success!  I'm no longer greeted at the door with hungry whiners.  I'm no longer finding piles of wrappers next to the couch and empty bowls stacked on the end table.

There is a list of these ten snacks posted in our kitchen.  With seven of the items, they can pick two. If they choose one of the remaining three, they can only have one item.  I know that I will have to begin to change a few of the items week to week so that my kids don't get bored, but for now things have stayed the same.

Here is our list of 10 Smart After-School Snacks for this week!

My kids can pick two of the following:
1) YoCrunch Yogurt Cup - Chips Ahoy is their favorite flavor
2) Pretzels - pre-portioned baggies (28 sticks = 110 calories)
3) String Cheese - 1 stick
4) Microwave Popcorn - Orville Redenbacher 100 calorie bag
5) Hard-boiled egg
6) A piece of fruit - We usually have apples, bananas and oranges on hand.
7) Bowl of Cornflakes - (1 cup = 100 calories) I recently got rid of the HUGE cereal bowls we had and bought smaller bowls that perfectly hold the appropriate serving size.

Or one of these:
8) Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
9) Easy Mac & Cheese
10) Mug of Hot Chocolate

Some of the snacks my kids can choose from when they get home from school.

JJ and Ellie like having the freedom to choose their snack.  I am confident that they are making wise choices because there is no other options but healthy.  Surprisingly, no one has complained that the chips and ice cream have disappeared (not even my husband!).

I think that one of the keys to the success of this snacking strategy is that they can have two things in some cases.  Pretzels with string cheese.  Yogurt and a banana.  Popcorn and pretzels.  Cereal with fruit.  One small item doesn't seem like enough.  Getting two feels like a lot more food.

My husband and I often debate about if I am babying our kids by making things so simple for them. His point is that our son is going to be heading off to college in two-and-a-half years and I am not going to be with him making him lists of healthy food choices.  My point is that our children obviously do not know how to make healthy snack choices because they are not doing it.  I view this as a method of teaching them how to make smart choices.  Eventually the lists will disappear.  Eventually they will automatically reach for the fruit or pretzels over ice cream or Doritos.  Just like they now grab water and don't even ask if they can order pop in restaurants.

The snack battle appears to have come to an end in our household.  The kids are happy with the choices that are available to them.  I'm happy that they aren't complaining and aren't full when it comes time for dinner.  We all came out of this battle victorious!

God Said NO to the Pumpkin Custard

My kids - thanks to my husband - love to purchase movies and video games on the day they premiere.  Last Tuesday was no exception.  Pitch Perfect 2 was released on DVD and my daughter was begging me to stop at Target on my way home from work to buy it for her.  Seeing as she has started the school year off with a bang, was completing her chores with no complaints and practicing her instruments unprompted - I thought this would be a great reward for her.  So I included a quick stop at Target in my plans for the day.

And then it hit me . . . I'll be driving right past Meadows Custard!  And I heard their Pumpkin Custard was to die for!  That's when the battle started.

Oh my gosh Lisa.  You HAVE to stop for some Pumpkin Custard!

But I've been doing so well in making healthy choices with my eating.

All the more reason to reward yourself with a treat.  You can get a small - that's a wiser choice than a large!

But we've been trying to save money and this would be a frivolous expense.

Like I said, Lisa . . . get a small.  That's not that much money.

I don't have any cash and to put such a small amount of money on the debit card seems ridiculous.

Who cares!  It's Pumpkin Custard.  PUMPKIN!

What about JJ and Ellie?  I'll feel guilty getting custard without them.

You work very hard Lisa.  You deserve a treat.  Plus, they won't even know about it.

Ohhhhhh . . . nope, the calories.  I'm not going to splurge.  Not going to do it.

You deserve it Lisa!  You work SO hard.  Treat yourself.  Indulge.  It will taste SO good!

Maybe I should.  Nope - the money.  Silly expense.

Hey - you could get cash back when you buy the DVD.  Then you will have cash and Meadows Custard won't show up on your statement.

BRILLIANT!!  I'll get cash back and give myself a delicious treat!  I deserve it!  But, the kids.

No one will know . . . ever!  Go for it!

Decision made.  I was going to Target, buying the movie, getting cash back and stopping for PUMPKIN CUSTARD!!!  YAY!!!

I was so excited the rest of the day.  All I could think about was how smooth and rich and amazing that Pumpkin Custard was going to taste.  mmmmmmmmm . . .

After work I drove to Target.  Grabbing the DVD from the display case right by the door I practically skipped to the checkout.  Pumpkin Custard!  Pumpkin Custard!  Pumpkin Custard! The words chanted in my brain as my cheeks tingled with the anticipation of my secret yummy treat.

I swiped my debit card and the machine beeped.  I looked at the cashier with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, you have one of the new cards with a chip.  You need to slide it in here," she showed me a new slot in the front of the machine.

I slid in my card.  Suddenly the words "Thank you for shopping at Target!" flashed on the screen and my receipt printed from the register.

"Wait!"  I said with a slight tone of panic.  "I was going to get cash back."

"Oh, sorry.  With these new cards you can't get cash back."

"But, I was going to treat myself to Pumpkin Custard!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry Ma'am," she said as she started to scan the next customers items.

I stood there staring at her for a few seconds with my mouth open shocked that my plan to sneak off and get myself a special treat had just completely fallen apart (and slightly stinging from her use of the word ma'am).  The woman behind me in line gently pushed her cart forward in an attempt to move me along.  My gaze shifted to her.

"I can't get cash back.  I was going to get custard," I stammered.  She smiled a sympathetic smile.

Turning, I walked out of Target.  That hadn't gone as planned!

Sitting in my car, I started to laugh.  I had just spent the entire day contriving this whole plan to sneak off and secretly buy myself a custard cone.  And than it completely falls apart.  That is hysterical!

Two of the many things I've learned about myself over the past five years are
1) I use food for comfort and reward.  That's ok some of the time, but I would often take it to an unhealthy extreme.
2) The Mom Guilt Monster THRIVES on me.  I used to be one of it's favorite prey.

My inner conversation turned to God - All right Lord, I see where you are going with this.  That plan would have thrown me directly into the fire of two struggles I've worked the hardest to overcome.  Thank you for rescuing me from myself!  I concede - no Pumpkin Custard for me!  But please let this be a situation where you're not saying no you're simply saying not now.  Please?!?

That was the case.  Two days later the kids and I were out running errands and drove past Dairy Queen.  Their sign advertised that Pumpkin Pie Blizzards were back.  I LOVE Pumpkin Pie Blizzards!  I turned right into the parking lot and my kids cheered.  Mini pumpkin pie blizzards all around (That's a wise choice.  A few years ago I would have ordered us all larges!).  The Blizzards tasted fantastic and the company was super fun . . . so much better than speed eating a cone in secret before I got home and then feeling guilty all night.

Healthy choice - check!
Having fun with my family - check!
Being an example for my kids - check!

Thanks God for saying no to that Pumpkin Custard!

Mom Went Running

It was His Idea!

On my way home from work this afternoon I made up my mind to go to either my Praise Moves or Zumba class.  I had left work on time so there was plenty of time to make dinner for my family before hopping back in the car.

When I walked in the front door, I found my son sitting at his desk finishing his homework.  He'd been hard at work since he got home from school, he said, which had been nearly two hours before my arrival.  As I was putting dinner in the oven, he came out of his room and plopped down on the couch.  He grabbed his video game controller and fired up a game of football.

If I leave, I thought, he is going to sit here all night playing game after game until he heads to bed.

"Hey J," I called into the Family Room.  "Want to go out and catch ball after we eat?"

"Sure Mom!"

After dinner we went outside to toss the football.

"Want to try one of the reps we did at my Muscle Monday class?"

Eye rolling.

"Come on.  It will be fun!" I said walking to edge of the backyard.  He reluctantly followed me.

"We'll do three burpees and then lunge walk to the other side of the yard.  Three burpees and lunge walk back.  We'll do that twice.  Go!"

We finished our reps and returned to tossing the football while chatting.

"Want to try one of the warm-ups from my tennis camp?"  my son asked out of the blue.

My inner response: Are you kidding?!?!?  YES!!  I'd LOVE to!!  Let's go!!  Whoop!  Whoop!  {jumping up and down while rapidly clapping}

My outer response: Sure.

"Run down and back across the yard.  Do three push-ups.  Run down and back.  Two push-ups.  Run down and back.  One push-up.  Run down and back."

After completing the warm-up and catching our breath, we returned to tossing the football.

Walking to the far side of our yard, my son spoke up again.  "Let's try this.  If I get the football into the hoop, we head inside.  If I miss, we do another one of your reps."

Sounded good to me!  It was a crazy shot that I didn't think he would make . . . ever!

He missed his first shot.
We did 10 squats and one suicide.

He missed his second shot.
We did 12 split squats per leg and 12 calf raises.

He missed his third shot.
We ran another suicide.

He missed his fourth shot.
We did a 30-second plank.

He made his fifth shot!

We headed inside - sweaty, covered in grass and laughing!  What made the night so great for me was that even though I  got the ball rolling, my son ran with it.  It was his idea to keep going with the reps and to add in the crazy football hoop throw.

This is one of those nights for me to reflect back on when I think that my desire for our family be healthy is falling on deaf ears.  When I'm feeling frustrated that change is not happening fast enough.  A moment in time to acknowledge that my kids are listening and grasping the concept that being active is fun and not a chore.  My plan is working!

Photo Credit - Ellie Jenkins

 

Sitting Down at the Table

For the past several years I've been keeping a secret hidden within my house.  It's something that I am not proud of.  It's a problem that had a very simple solution, but I just could never get it fixed.  It was one of the tasks that I wrote on my To Do List every weekend but never crossed off.  I would transfer it to the next weekend's list with a promise to myself that I would get it done.  Yet the situation hung over my head weighing me down and reminding me daily of missed opportunities and memories. 

My kitchen table is a disaster!

It's my dumping ground, my junk drawer, my albatross!

 

 

After spending the week with my family on vacation where we ate every single meal together, I was reminded yet again that I am missing out on A LOT by holding our kitchen table hostage with my junk.  Not only was I missing out, but more importantly I was depriving my kids of life lessons, memories and forced vegetable eating.  So this weekend I moved "clear off kitchen table" to the top of the To Do List and I CROSSED IT OFF!

 

We've shared two meals together so far and it has been great.  When we first sat down, my daughter said, "I remember when we used to do this!"  I didn't know whether I should laugh, cry or crawl under the table in complete humiliation. 

 

Eating together as a family is so important.  It's a chance to share experiences, create memories and pass on important life lessons.  Cell phones are set aside and real conversation happens.  I'm looking forward to the opportunities I will have to help my kids try new foods and encourage them to eat more of the healthy ones.  I've already noticed two things:

1) There was less food being scraped from the plates into the garbage can.

2) No one snacked after dinner.

 

As I strive to help my family be healthy and happy, I think this may be one of the best things I've done.  Who knows why it took me so long to accomplish it.  That's neither here nor there.  The table is cleared off, my little secret is out in the open and my family will be sitting down at the table for dinner tonight and for many nights to come.  Today is a good day.



 

The TV Commercial Workout: A WIN! WIN! WINNING Idea for my Teenager

This weekend my teenage son and I tried something new . . . and we LOVED it! 

My friend Dana introduced me to the idea of creating a TV Commercial Workout.  A very simple yet fun and effective concept!

Here is what you do:

1) On a piece of paper or index card, make two columns.

2) In the first column, write a list of types of commercials - car, restaurant, cell phone company,  insurance, TV promos, bank, etc.  Be sure to include miscellaneous! 

3) In the second column, write a list of exercises - jumping jacks, squats, plank, bicep curls, twists, jog in place, high knees, etc.  You will need to list as many exercises as you have types of commercials writing them lined up evenly. 

4) Sit down to enjoy your favorite TV show.

5) As soon as there is a commercial break, JUMP up and start MOVING following the guide that you just created for yourself.  For example, we paired restaurant commercials with jumping jacks.  Every time there was a commercial for Subway or McDonald's, we did jumping jacks.  Every time there was a cell phone commercial, we dropped into the Plank Position. 

My son and I did a TV Commercial Workout during the fourth quarter of one of the football games yesterday.  I'm sure he thought I was a little crazy at first, but he agreed to play along.  After only the first few commercials we were sweating and giggling and completely out of breath! 

Half of the challenge was figuring out what some of the commercials were actually advertising.   It was hilarious when we thought we knew and started one exercise only to discover that we were wrong and had to switch in the middle. We cracked up when we would each think the commercial was about something different.  I almost ended up with a black eye when I started to drop to a Plank just as my son started a side leg lift.

The TV Commercial Workout was a
WIN . . .
I realized that between church, homework, a nap and the football games, my son would have nearly zero movement in his day.  By the time I figured this out, I knew I would never hear the end of it if I tried to drag him away from the football game.  With this workout, he didn't miss a single down!

WIN . . .
Both my son and I got an excellent workout!  I can't remember the last time I did so many jumping jacks.     

WINNING . . .
One thing missing from our day yesterday was us spending time together.  If I would have sat down to watch the game with him, I would have been asleep in five seconds.  Not only did we spend quality time together, we had a lot of fun! 

IDEA for my teenage son!  A very simple yet fun and effective one!

Love my family!
 



Five Observations from the Salvation Army Red Kettle

Last Saturday my son and his friend Blake spent the afternoon manning a Salvation Army Kettle at our local mall.  This act of giving was to fulfill their Community Service requirement for their Honors Civics course.  I went along to provide coverage for extended bathroom breaks and food court runs.  Even though it was a tad chilly, I had a great time and learned several things . . .

1) Let Them Wear The Hoodie.  I will stop arguing with my kids when they want to run out the door wearing only a hoodie while their warm winter jacket hangs on the coat rack.  A majority of teenagers (and a lot of adults, too!) walked into that mall wearing only a hoodie.  As a mom I know the value of choosing my battles.  The Winter Coat War is being crossed off my list!

2) Pay Attention to Where You Park.  The number of people who forget where they park their car is quite hilarious!  Some people are embarrassed and try to slink up and down the rows of cars trying not to look like they are looking for their car.  Others stand at the end of a row loudly talking to themselves in frustration about how they can't believe they can't find their car.  One family even went as far to call mall security and the local police convinced that their car had been stolen.  While waiting for the cops, the dad proceeded to call at least 10 people to tell them his car had been stolen and he was going to get a "sweet new one" from the insurance.  It turned out he had parked by pole "17" in the upper Macy's lot instead of "27" in the lower lot.  There are simple ways to remember where you park - take a picture of the closest numbered pole, take a picture of your view of the mall from your spot, write down where you park.   

3) Hold the Door Open for Others.  I could not believe how many people did not hold the door open for the person coming through behind them!  Come on people - it is a simple turn of the head to see if anyone is there.  One lady was coming out with a stroller loaded with bags.  When the woman in front of her let go of the door, it slammed into the stroller causing all of the packages to fall to the ground AND woke up her sleeping toddler.  An elderly woman going into the mall ran into the edge of the closing door when the man going in ahead of her did not hold the door open.  Really, sir?  You almost knocked the cute little lady down!  

4) SMILE!  A simple smile can have a huge impact.  I was shocked at how few people smiled or looked happy as they walked in or out the mall.  As I stood there ringing the bell, I attempted to make eye contact with people, smile and wish them a Merry Christmas or Happy Shopping whether they put money in my kettle or not. In most cases I did get at least a smile in return and often a verbal response, too.  I know I felt a sense of victory when that happened.  Hopefully, my smile had an impact on their day if even for a moment.  I'm always telling my kids that a smile is the easiest, cheapest and sometimes best gift you can give to anybody at anytime.

5) Everyone Can Ring the Bell!  When I contacted the Salvation Army to see if JJ and Blake could volunteer they were more than happy to have us.  In fact, the Captain I spoke with told me that they were in desperate need of bell ringers.  As I stood ringing the bell that Saturday, many parents gave their young children coins to put in the kettle.  The kids were so excited and proud to reach up and drop in their coin. Several then stood there and looked at the bell in my hand.  "Would you like a turn to ring the bell?" I asked them.  Wide eyes.  Silent nods.  Small hands reaching for the bell.  Huge smiles.  They loved ringing that bell!  And I think they got more donations in those few minutes than I did during my entire shift as people flocked to the cute little kids.  The little ones' responses was a reminder to me that everyone can volunteer.  How different would our world be if more families took an hour or two of their time every once in awhile to help others?  What can your family do to help those around you?  I'm always talking about making healthy choices - volunteering our time is definitely a great exercise for the heart! 

The bell we rung was obviously old and well-used.  I thought about the
number of hands that clung to that handle before mine - very inspiring.



 I have to admit that I was pretty annoyed at JJ's assignment at the beginning of the school year - four community service projects?!?  We are way to busy to fit these in!  After spending an afternoon ringing that bell, I've changed my tune.  We've (Yes - We.  This has become a group project!) been able to see the difference we've made in people's lives and had fun doing it.  Even though JJ will be done with his Civics class next year, I'm pretty sure you'll find our family back at the Red Kettle ringing the bell next Christmas!
  

4 Simple Ideas to Deflate Your Holiday Stress and Inflate Your Holiday Joy

I want the holidays to be a special time, but I always end up a stressed out ball of blah rolling around with a smile pasted to my face. How can I change that?  How can I help myself enjoy the holidays? 

I firmly believe that I can't take good care of my family if I don't take care of myself.  With the world telling us to think big and shoot for the stars, my solution probably sounds really off base . . . I've lowered my expectations for myself.  I try (notice the word TRY) not to focus on the number of gifts I'm able to buy or the fact that I stink at decorating the outside of my house or that I don't have time to bake a lot of cookies (not that I want to eat that many any way!).  Instead I focus on purposefully doing FOUR things during the holiday season.  Four inexpensive, easily achievable things that make me happy. 

1) I add whipped cream to my coffee.  I can't afford stops at fancy coffee shops or mani/pedi's or massages - but I can enjoy a squirt of extra creamy whipped cream on my coffee as I prepare to face another day.  The fact that I don't do this any other time of year makes it special for me.  What simple, inexpensive treat can you add to your day to give yourself a treat?  Use peppermint scented lotion?  Buy a pair of fun snowman earrings?  Wear a pair of crazy Christmas socks?

My coffee this morning!



2) I go for walks in my neighborhood after dark to look at the Christmas lights.  Enjoying the lights from your car is nice, but you get an entirely different view when you get out of your car and walk.  I love to head out around 10PM for a stroll.  I occasionally drag my family with me.  They grump at first, but will often find that they enjoy it by the end.  Sometimes we carry mugs of hot cocoa with us and other times I have it waiting for us when we get home.  I love when it is snowing and our footprints are the first marks in the fresh snow.  The fresh air is invigorating, the exercise feels so good after being inside all day and the lights are pretty.  I can't help but feel happy when i get back to my house!  (SAFETY NOTE: Please wear reflective gear and/or carry a flashlight!!!)



3) I sing along in a very loud voice to the Christmas songs on the radio.  No matter what craziness is happening in the "real world," when I close the car door, it is just me and me alone.  How can I not smile as I am singing along to the fun adventures of Frosty or be reminded of the powerful precious gift that God gave to us as I sing the First Noel.  I get out of my car feeling refreshed and ready to face the next event.  I'm sure that I've provided some humorous entertainment to those driving next to me, but I don't worry about them.



4) I pick one special activity that I want to do and make sure I do it even if I do it by myself.  This is actually something that I've been doing for the past couple of months.  I'm always telling my husband that we can talk and talk and talk about all of the things that we want to do and accomplish, but nothing will get done unless we take action.   The list of things that I want to accomplish and experience is very long, so I am tackling the smaller items on that list one thing at a time.  I don't give my family any input on what that one thing is because that will lead to an argument.  I simply choose it and invite whoever wants to come with me to be ready at a certain time.  So far there hasn't been a month that I haven't had company.  I haven't decided what my one thing for the month of December will be yet - that's a decision I will ponder during my drive home from my in-laws this afternoon.  Walk around downtown Pittsburgh to look at the Christmas decorations?  Tackle my grandma's Pizzelle Cookie maker?  Drive out to Ohiopyle State Park for a hike?

The one word that is not included in this post (until now) is guilt.  As a mom and a caregiving spouse, I often struggle with feeling guilty about 101 different things every day.  The key for me when it comes to doing these four things without guilt is what I mentioned earlier - If I don't take care of myself then I can't take care of my family.  My family reacts to my stress.  In the same way they react to my joy.  So in a way, if doing these four incredibye simple things make me happy, my family will be happy, too! 

I encourage you - as we prepare to flip our calendars over to December - pick even just one thing that you will purposefully do this month to make YOU happy!  What can you plan to do to deflate your stress and inflate your joy?

Recovering from Our Visit to the Pediatrician's Office

A couple of weeks ago I took my 12 year-old daughter to the pediatrician for her annual check-up.  I have to confess that I have been on a wild emotional roller coaster ever since.  The doctor that we'd seen for years left the practice, so we were assigned a new one.  Our appointment ended with a lecture about my daughter's weight and BMI and how my role as a mother resulted in these numbers.  I left the office in silence, fighting back tears.  That began a tumultuous journey through a variety of emotions.

POOR ME PHASE
First came the POOR ME phase.  What does this doctor expect from me?  Does she not know how hard my life is?  Very few people understand what it's like to be a caregiving spouse to a person with a chronic illness, let alone an invisible one!  I'm not home during the day to monitor or teach my kids what to do and eat.  And I'm tired when I do get home.  I feel so guilty about that!  Plus, I'm an emotional eater.  I ate my way through the first five years of my husband's illness.  So my kids ate through those years, too.  I couldn't help myself.  I can't help myself now - let's all go our for ice cream.  Didn't I buy chips at the grocery store?  Poor me!!  Can't you see how helpless I am doc?!?  Boo Hoo Hoo!



I SUCK AS A MOTHER PHASE
Then came the I SUCK AS A MOTHER phase.  I should be stronger.  I should have more energy.  I should be more encouraging and inspiring so that my children want to be active and healthy.  I should be stricter.  They should fear what will happen to them when I find out that they've eaten the entire box of granola bars in one day.  I should not buy granola bars.  Only horrible moms buy processed fattening granola bars.  I drove to the grocery store where I proceeded to buy one of nearly every single fruit and vegetable in the produce section.  When I got home I threw out every bag of chips, box of crackers and anything else resembling an "unhealthy snack." 



SCREW YOU PHASE
Then I got angry - really, really angry.  SCREW YOU doc!  You don't know me.  You spent all of ten minutes with us.  You don't know our life story.  You don't the positive changes that we've made over the past couple of years.  We're not perfect, but we're trying.  You didn't even spend enough time with us to figure that out.  How dare you put me down in front of my daughter and make me feel like a piece of poo!



JUST RELAX PHASE
Finally, I calmed down and realized that I was on the right path.  My family and I have made great strides in living a healthy lifestyle over the past couple of years.  Are we perfect?  No.  But no one is!  Are we trying our best?  Yes!  Can we do better?  Absolutely!  Is there always more to learn?  You bet!   The key is that we keep moving - aiming to go forward, but not panicking if we stumble back a few steps.  People and situations are going to enter my life that are going to attempt to divert me from my goal by playing with my emotions.  I can choose to let them derail me or jump over them and keep going.  I need to relax and trust in myself that I am on the right path.  What is that verse that has gotten me through to this point of my journey?

 





So doc - I'm a good mother.  Actually, I'm a GREAT mother!  I'm a great mother doing my best to raise two children in this crazy world filled with video games and smart phones and fast food drive-thrus and chronic diseases and . . . . Thanks for the reminder.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out Mom Went Running (Chapter 2) in the newly released book - Inspire!  You can find it at http://www.amazon.com/Inspire-Stories-Accomplishment-Encouragement-Influence/dp/0692233962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407207430&sr=8-1&keywords=lisa+hamer+jenkins
 

Google and Go Cooking Day Two: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Success!  That describes my second day of following a menu that I put together simply by Googling "Top 5 crockpot meals."  Today's pork chops were fork tender and didn't have a "porky" taste.  They were simply just plain yummy!

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
4 boneless pork loin chops
2 T canola oil
1 can (14-1/2 oz) chicken broth

Directions:
* In a large resealable bag, combine 1/2 cup flour, mustard, garlic powder and seasoned salt.  Add pork chops one at a time, and shake to coat.  Transfer to the crock pot.

* Place remaining flour in a small bowl; whisk in broth until smooth.  Pour over chops.  Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until meat is tender.  (My chops cooked for 9 hours.)

* Remove pork to a serving plate.  Whisk cooking liquid until smooth; serve with pork.
www.tasteofhome.com

I served the pork chops with Herb & Butter Rice and steamed corn.  A side salad would have been great, but time did not allow.  I actually ate mine in the High School auditorium listening to the Elementary Strings practice for their Spring concert.  Regardless of the setting, the meal was delicious.  I'll definitely be making this one again!

Digging Deep to Find My Inner Superman

 

I am in the middle of a two week stretch of time where I feel as if there is NO way that I am going to be physically and mentally able to get everything done that needs to be done.  Work is always crazy, but we are in the midst of preparing for one of our state inspections that is happening at the end of next week which is always super stressful.  My daughter's birthday was last week which means over these two weeks we'll be having two extended family celebrations (one requiring a trip out of town), a family celebration on her actual birthday, a friend party, treats for school and overall jolliness on my part.  We have orchestra auditions, basketball tournament play-offs, track practice, two orthodontist appointments which include one child getting braces and PSSAs (Pennsylvania's standardized test) for both kids.  The end of next week culminates with an out-of-town concert and overnight stay with my daughter that was a Christmas gift (back in December this seemed like the perfect idea for the child who didn't have much on her wish list).  On top of all of that, several of my husband's chronic health conditions have chosen this time to flare up which has led to some medication adjustments which never EVER go smoothly as he is very sensitive to medication . . . DEEP BREATH.

I know that you can probably relate to having this high intensity stress at some point in your life.  Your list of stresses is probably a little different from mine, but the feeling is the same.  There is a constant burning sensation of worry in the pit of your stomach.  Your head feels as if it is going to explode.  Restful sleep is a something you hope for but never seem to achieve.  At times you know your blood pressure is sky high because you can hear your heart beating and feel the blood pumping through your veins.  You're irritable.  Your body feels heavy.  You wish you could climb into bed pull the covers over your head and hide until the stressful time passes. 

After barely surviving this first week, I was wondering how in the world I was going to make it through week two.  Even though I often think that I can do it all - the truth is that I am not Superman.  I can't hold the up the weight of the world with my own two hands!

 



Then I remembered something that I had picked up off a Clearance Rack awhile ago simply because it was $4 and I figured I would find a use for it someday.  Someday has arrived.



It's not time to crack under pressure.  It's not time to throw in the towel.  It's not time to curl up in the fetal position and sob uncontrollably.  It's time to dig deep and find my inner Superman.  DC Comics writer J. Michael Straczynski writes, "(Superman) stands for what we believe is the best within us: limitless strength tempered by compassion that can bear adversity and emerge stronger on the other side." 

I wore my Superman shirt all weekend and will wear it to bed every night this week to remind myself to face each day with limitless strength tempered by compassion.  I WILL get through this next week emerging stronger on the other side. 

Don't worry - I haven't completely lost it.  I'm doing more than dressing up in costume to get myself through the week:
1) Frequently reciting Galatians 6:9  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
2) Starting each morning with a protein packed smoothie
3) Maintaining my exercise routine
4) Playing Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" whenever I need a quick pick-me-up!

But . . . if you do happen to see something strange flying through the sky, it could be . . . a bird? . . . a plane? . . . It's SUPER MOM!

He stands for what we believe is the best within us: limitless strength tempered by compassion, that can bear adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. He stands for what we all feel we would like to be able to stand for, when standing is hardest.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jmichaels557215.html#oMHbcQe1Dm8ObV4O.99