A Bountiful Day

Ahh, harvest time is so beautiful in it's quiet earthy bountiful way. I love Indian summer, Jay and I are so blessed with great friends, healthy children, and a Heavenly Father that loves us and cares for us. This Friday was a "perfect day" my girls and I spent the day exploring books and nature. Then we rolled up our sleeves and shucked a galvanized tub full of the best tasting sweet corn "thank you, thank you Shawna and Kevin".

Time stood still with the warmth of the day and the warmth and peace that came to my heart. God is real and he is everywhere.

From Auguries of INNOCENCE

To see the World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour.

William Blake

Being Content

Well, the girls and I have been into our school year almost a whole month! At first I entered with a bit of trepidation. Homeschooling has been one of the hardest but most rewarding things I have ever done. With this being our second year, I was worried that it would be as hard as the first, so now with school started and rolling I am glad to say that it has been a delight, that dosen't mean that Shiloh dosen't throw a fit when it is time to do phonics or that savannah isn't thrilled to read to me for 45 mins, but I can finally see the rewards. Shiloh has begun reading books, and liking it! Savannahs math capablities have increased and I can see some confidence coming from the whole experience. What a wonderful joy to be with my girls ( that dosn't mean I don't drive pass elementary schools tempted to kick their cute little rears out the door, so I can go to the spa and have me time, I'm only human).

I loved sister Marjorie Hinckley, in my mind I sort of adopted her as a grandmother, so today I was reading her words and it remined me of being a mother and finding joy in our children.

"Find joy in your children. Don't overschedule them or yourself. You may not be able to take them on exotic vacations. It dosen't matter. When the day dawns bright and sunny, take an excursion to the canyons or the park. When it's cloudy and wet, read a book together or make somthing good to eat. Give them time to explore and learn about the feel of grass and the wiggliness of worms."

Willam Blake wrote " When the voices of children are heard on the green

And laughing is heard on the hill,

My heart is at rest within my breast

And everything else is still."

I am content.

Ahh, sugar, sugar...

I found this article, by the clean eating master herself. Sugar can be such a weakness during the seasons to come, but really folks, it is a slow killer. When I do eat sugar (and you all know I do, I am an addict), I have huge downs, my immune system is whacked, my body gains unhealthy fat, and I am encouraging future diseases etc...yikes! So read this it helps me avoid the sweet stuff.

Sugar Crackdown!

By Tosca Reno
The sooner North Americans learn to recognize simple sugars as a public enemy in the same way they view germs in the bathroom as vile, the sooner their health will improve and their waistlines will decrease. Ridiculous? Think about it for a moment. We sanitize, scrub, wash, bleach and disinfect the devil out of germs, but we consume, indulge, munch, snack, nibble and scarf sugars without a second thought. What gives?
The reality is many of us don’t recognize poor-quality ingredients in the foods we consume. The average adult’s sugar consumption has increased by more than 30 percent in 20 years. Sugar’s seductive sweetness plays havoc on the body, with hormone-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes reaching unprecedented levels.
Let’s not sugarcoat it
Never before has a population faced the onslaught of obesity-related diseases that we encounter today. Many of these diseases are thought to be brought on by consuming too much sugar. And it’s everywhere! Eating a turkey deli sandwich? There are three grams of sugar per slice of turkey alone. Was that ketchup with your fries? More sugar – it’s like candy, virtually everywhere.
Here are some hard facts for you:
• On average, North Americans drink approximately 355 milliliters or 12 fluid ounces of soda each day – the equivalent to 10 teaspoons of refined sugar. That adds to a weight gain of 12 pounds per year!
• But that’s not all – that was only soda. The average North American consumes 23 teaspoons of sugar each day! Not looking good for the waistline.
Carbs: Do I or don’t I?
Carbs have gotten a bad rap – especially as a result of fad diets. Yet carbohydrates, which break down into sugar in the body, are necessary fuel for strenuous exercise. However, it’s important to recognize the difference between simple and complex carbs: They metabolize at different rates. Simple carbs (white bread and pasta, chips, cookies) spike sugar levels, while complex carbs (whole grains, veggies, most fruit) keep blood sugar levels steady longer. They keep you feeling full longer too. Slow conversion is ideal so you don’t experience that crash or the dreaded 3:00 p.m. slump! As a bonus, you won’t get appetite swings, food cravings will dwindle and your energy will soar.

Mind Over Matter

I read this in Oxygen Mag, I really like this publiction ( I don't like alot of women fitness or health mags because most of the time it is watered down and the only objective is weight loss, but oxygen is a peg or two above the rest, even though its focus is on fitness competion).

“If I want change, I need a challenge.” –Trainer Jonathan Ross, who explains that your body will only respond to a stimulus that is more difficult than what it’s used to.
“I am the architect of my life.” –Health and fitness expert Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, Ph.D., who says that getting in optimum shape will help not only your body, but also your happiness and that of your family.

“Calm and focused.” (Or “peaceful” or “powerful” or “vital.”) –Trainer Gregory Florez, who explains that calming words will help with stretching while powerful words will help with high-energy activities like strength training and aerobic exercise.

“Just one more.” –Ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes, who ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days and wrote 50/50 (Wellness Central, 2008). After his last marathon, in New York City, he turned around and ran 1300 miles back to St. Louis, Missouri, where he had run his first event, the Lewis & Clark Marathon.

“Posture.” –Helen Foster, author of Cellulite Solutions (Hamlyn, 2007), who reminds readers that poor posture can reduce lymph flow and contribute to cellulite. Focus on lengthening your torso by standing tall and tightening your abdominal muscles.

What do you do to boost your motivation?

Good Question, "I am putting it out there".

Resolutions

Well Fall is here again, this year has flown by super fast! I love fall, and the season change but I dread the decline in good diet and exercise that seems to follow, So this year I have decided to not put off my New Year Resolution. I am going to start a Fall Resolution! Hopefully with new set goals, and a fresh out look, I can avoid holiday diet suicide. So anyone that would like to join me in my protest of gaining the Fall to Christmas 10lbs, and start their own Fall Resolution, I would love to hear about it (you know strength in numbers and all that Jazz). I would also like any tips, recipes (healthy low fat, yet to fit the season recipes)or anything that might be motivating. I am super excited to start, I love healthy eating, fall is the best time to avoid sugars, preservatives etc, because those are the things that tear down your immune system, with colds and influenza on the rise it's nice to know your body will be up for the fight. love ya all Jess

Biking Adventures

I have had a blast this year on the bike! I was able to fit a few centuries in and a ton of climbs, what more could a girl ask for? This last weekend Jay and I went to oruray Colorado, on the way we stopped in Moab ( I love Moab) we decided to ride through arches and their about, the red rock was breath taking! Then we drove to colorado and rode the million dollar highway, 12,000 feet of climbing ( I was loving it) Jay told me the the altidude was so high it was like riding your bike to the summit of timp, the veiws were just amazing, the closest thing we have to compare it to in Utah is snowbird, but on steriods. I didn't notice the thin air until after my ride, then my body freaked and I had a cough for about an hour after. We went into Silverton and clicked our way around town I love showing off my spandex!(not). The little town of sliverton was so cool, and the people were sooo friendly. I recomend a bike vaction there, it was a great time.